Mazda showed its commitment to eco-friendly driving with the addition of plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and hybrid SUVs to its lineup. Mazda has become a leader in the electrified vehicle category, offering three SUV options: Mazda CX-50 Hybrid, Mazda CX-70 PHEV, and Mazda CX-90 PHEV.
All three SUVs offer the strong performance and luxe interiors that Mazda is known for, but there are distinctions between them that are important to note. Read on to see how plug-in hybrid vs hybrid SUVs compare, and explore the similarities and differences between these three Mazda SUVs.
PHEV Power: Mazda has two plug-in hybrids in its lineup: the Mazda CX-70 PHEV and Mazda CX-90. There’s one hybrid SUV available: the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid.
Both Mazda PHEV SUVs run on a 68-kW electric motor and a 323-hp 2.5-liter gasoline engine. Both feature advanced e-SKYACTIV®-G PHEV technology. The Mazda CX-70 PHEV and the Mazda CX-90 PHEV both have an EPA-estimated fuel efficiency of 56 MPGe/combined.
Hybrid Power: The Mazda CX-50 Hybrid runs on a hybrid EV battery, three electric motors, and a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine.
This Mazda SUV gets an EPA-estimated 39 mpg/city, 37 mpg/highway, and 38 mpg/combined.
PHEV Driving: The Mazda CX-70 PHEV and Mazda CX-90 PHEV can drive on all-electric power for short distances. For longer distances, these PHEV SUVs use a combination of electricity and gas. These Mazda SUVs both have a 26-mile all-electric driving range and a 490-mile total driving range.
Hybrid Driving: The Mazda CX-50 Hybrid can be driven using all-electric power for short distances at low speeds, but this hybrid SUV runs primarily on gas power.
PHEV Drivetrain: i-Activ AWD® (all-wheel drive) is standard on the Mazda CX-70 PHEV and the Mazda CX-90 PHEV.
Hybrid Drivetrain: The Mazda CX-50 Hybrid features electronic AWD (e-AWD).
One of the biggest differences between plug-in hybrid and hybrid SUVs is how they’re charged.
Hybrid SUV Charging: The Mazda CX-50 Hybrid is charged through the gas engine and regenerative braking, which transfers the kinetic energy from braking to the vehicle’s batteries.
PHEV SUV Charging: The Mazda CX-70 PHEV and the Mazda CX-90 PHEV also employ regenerative braking, but their primary method of charging is to be plugged in (as the name suggests). You can charge your PHEV SUV at home with a Level 1 or Level 2 charger. A Level 1 charger uses a 120V outlet, and the PHEV reaches full charge in about 11 hours. For faster charging, you can have a Level 2 charger installed. The PHEV can reach full charge in about 2.5 hours.
PHEV SUV Seating: The Mazda CX-70 PHEV is a two row SUV that seats five people. The Mazda CX-90 is a three row SUV that seats seven or eight people.
Hybrid SUV Seating: The Mazda CX-50 Hybrid is a two-row SUV that seats five people.
PHEV SUV Cargo Space: The Mazda CX-70 PHEV cargo space offers 39.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 75.3 cubic feet behind the first row. The Mazda CX-90 PHEV cargo space offers 14.9 cubic feet behind the third row, 40.0 cubic feet behind the second row, and 74.2 cubic feet behind the first row.
Hybrid SUV Cargo Space: The Mazda CX-50 Hybrid offers 29.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 56.3 cubic feet behind the first row.
Mazda takes safety very seriously, and it’s evident in all of the brand’s vehicles. All three PHEV and hybrid SUVs have earned top ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The Mazda CX-50 Hybrid, Mazda CX-70 PHEV, and Mazda CX-90 PHEV all earned a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and are IIHS Top Safety Pick+ winners.
All three Mazda SUVs feature the i-Activsense® suite of active and passive safety features.
The Mazda CX-50 Hybrid, Mazda CX-70 PHEV, and Mazda CX-90 PHEV are all electrified vehicles – not to be confused with electric vehicles (EVs).
EVs, hybrids, and PHEVs are similar, but EVs run solely on electric power. They don’t have a traditional gas engine to work in combination with or as backup to the electric motor and batteries. Hybrids and PHEVs run on both electric power and gas power. They have gas engines as well as electric motors and batteries.
Whitten Brothers Mazda is a top Mazda dealership in Richmond, offering a great selection of new PHEV SUVs and hybrid SUVs. Now that we’ve compared plug-in hybrid vs hybrid, you’ll hopefully have an easier time choosing between the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid, Mazda CX-70 PHEV, and Mazda CX-90 PHEV. Our team is here to offer any additional information you may need while car shopping, and we’d be happy to take you for a test drive of one, two, or all three Mazda SUVs! Contact us today to learn more or schedule a visit to our showroom.
