Mazda CX-90 PHEV Named Best Plug-In Hybrid SUV For Families by U.S. News & World Report

034_CX90-PHEV_90Cornering_1200px
Image courtesy Mazda
034_CX90-PHEV_90Cornering_1200px
Image courtesy Mazda

The 2026 Mazda CX 90 Plug in Hybrid (PHEV) has been named Best PHEV SUV for Families by U.S. News & World Report in its 2026 Best Cars for Families awards, earning the top score for its combination of safety performance, comfort, and everyday usability.

“We created the Best Cars for Families awards to recognize vehicles that offer an excellent mix of safety, reliability, space and comfort, along with the features that families value most,” said Zach Doell, vehicle testing editor at U.S. News & World Report. “With its win as the Best PHEV SUV for Families, the CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid delivers on all accounts, while also offering the fuel efficiency and all-electric range that buyers seek from PHEVs.”

The Best Cars for Families awards evaluate vehicles across a wide range of factors that matter most to families—including safety data, predicted reliability, passenger and cargo space, in vehicle technology, ease of use features, and feedback from professional auto reviewers. The CX-90 PHEV achieved the highest overall composite score in the plug-in hybrid SUV segment.

“Mazda is proud to see the CX‑90 PHEV honored as the Best PHEV SUV for Families,” said Mazda North American Operations President and CEO Tom Donnelly. “With smart packaging, advanced safety, and the flexibility of electric‑only driving, the CX‑90 PHEV was built for the way families live today. This award reinforces our commitment to deliver safety, efficiency, and an exceptional driving experience.”

The 2026 CX-90 PHEV also earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s highest safety designation, the 2025 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+, further reinforcing its position as one of the safest three row SUVs on the road. In February 2026, Consumer Reports ranked Mazda as the safest new‑car brand overall, citing Mazda’s standout performance in crashworthiness, braking, emergency handling, intuitive controls, and the availability and effectiveness of proven crash‑prevention technologies.

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Jarrod

Jarrod Partridge is the founder of Motoring Chronicle and an FIA accredited journalist with over 30 years of experience following motorsport and the global automotive industry. A member of the AIPS International Sports Press Association, Jarrod has covered Formula 1 races and automotive events at venues around the world, bringing first-hand insight to every race report, car review, and industry analysis he writes. His work spans the full breadth of motoring — from the latest EV launches and road car reviews to the cutting edge of motorsport competition.

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