As the focus on sustainability increases, the interest in hybrid SUVs and plug in hybrid SUVs (PHEV SUVs) increases as well. Richmond and Ashland drivers shopping for such a vehicle are in luck! Mazda makes three such SUVs:
There are many benefits to driving one of these Mazda vehicles, but are they reliable SUVs? Let’s find out!
Before we explore the reliability of Mazda PHEVs and hybrid SUVs, it’s helpful to understand the differences between them. The primary difference between a hybrid vs plug in hybrid SUV is how the battery is charged.
Both vehicles are equipped with an internal combustion (gas) engine and an electric motor. Hybrid SUVs don’t need to be plugged in to charge. The battery is charged via regenerative braking and the gas engine. The Mazda CX-50 Hybrid falls into this category.
PHEVs do receive a charge from regenerative braking, but they need to be plugged in to fully charge. The Mazda CX-70 PHEV and the Mazda CX-90 PHEV fall into this category.
A Consumer Reports survey found that 95% of drivers consider reliability “very” or “extremely” important, and 80% say the same about fuel efficiency. In terms of gas mileage and reliability, hybrid vehicles (and PHEVs) offer the best of both.
“A hybrid can provide years of trouble-free miles, and they are a good defense against rising fuel prices,” Jake Fisher, senior director of automotive testing at Consumer Reports, said in an article. “With a top-rated hybrid, you get solid reliability, better fuel economy, and lower maintenance costs without sacrificing acceleration, ride comfort, or cabin quietness.”
With high rankings from numerous experts, impressive performance, and top safety features, it’s easy to see why the Mazda hybrid and PHEVs are reliable SUVs.
The Mazda CX-90 PHEV and the Mazda CX-70 PHEV rank high on Car and Driver’s Best Plug-In-Hybrid Mid-Size SUV list. You’ll also find these PHEV SUVs on the Kelley Blue Book, Car Buzz, and Edmunds Best PHEV SUVs of 2025 lists.
The two PHEV SUVs and the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid rank on MotorTrend’s Safest Hybrids for 2025 list.
The Mazda Hybrid SUV is also on the Best Hybrid SUVs lists from Edmunds, Car and Driver, and U.S. News and World Report.
2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus with options shown. Optional charging equipment shown.
PHEVs and Hybrid SUVs are eco-friendly and fuel efficient. They help save you time and money as you don’t need to stop as frequently to fill up a gas tank. This is especially true as you can drive on just electric power for short trips, reserving gas for longer drives around Chesterfield or Midlothian.
Both the Mazda CX-90 PHEV SUV and the Mazda CX-70 are equipped with a 17.8-kWh battery pack. These Mazda SUVs get an EPA-estimated 26-mile all-electric driving range and a 490-mile total driving range.
You can easily charge both Mazda SUVs at home with a level 1 charger that plugs into a 120-volt outlet. For faster charging, you can have a level 2 charger installed, which plugs into a 240-volt outlet.
The Mazda CX-50 Hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 39 mpg/city, 37 mpg/highway, and 38 mpg/combined. This Mazda SUV doesn’t need to be plugged in to be charged.
All Mazda vehicles have the i-ACTIVSENSE® suite of standard and available safety features.
The Mazda CX-90 PHEV and the Mazda CX-70 PHEV both earned a 5-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Both also earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ award.
The Mazda CX-50 Hybrid earned a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. The Hybrid model hasn’t yet been tested by the IIHS, but the gas model received the Top Safety Pick+ award.
Some of the key vehicle safety features found in these Mazda SUVs include:
The Mazda CX-70 PHEV, Mazda CX-9- PHEV, and Mazda CX-50 Hybrid are backed by a 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and an 8-year/100,000-mile hybrid component warranty.
While electric vehicles and electrified vehicles sound like the same thing, they’re actually not the same.
An electric car, truck, van, or SUV has only an electric motor. It does not have a gas engine. Electric vehicles are powered solely by electricity.
Electrified vehicles, on the other hand, are designed with both a traditional gas engine and an electric motor. This allows the vehicle to run purely on electricity or a combination of electricity and gas. Hybrid SUVs and PHEV SUVs are electrified vehicles.
As you can see, the Mazda CX-70 PHEV, Mazda CX-90 PHEV, and the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid are very eco-friendly and reliable SUVs. Not only are they safe to drive, but they deliver great performance and save you time and money with less frequent trips to the gas station. If you’re ready to experience a PHEV SUV or hybrid SUV for yourself, schedule a test drive at Whitten Brothers Mazda.
Our Mazda dealership serves drivers from Midlothian, Chesterfield, Richmond, and all over central Virginia. We’ve got a great selection of hybrid SUVs and PHEV SUVs in stock, and we look forward to helping you find the model and trim level that best suits you.
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