Mazda's first electrified model to be available in all 50 states will be the 2024 CX-90, the automaker officially announced Tuesday morning. But far more relevant to our interests is the fact that Mazda is touting this new powertrain as performance-oriented, as
"While it is Mazda's first plug-in hybrid in the United States, the CX-90 PHEV will retain the responsiveness, performance and driving dynamics that distinguish Mazda vehicles," the company said in its announcement. "Designed specifically for the North American market, the all-new eSky Active powertrain will provide customers with the best of both worlds in terms of efficiency and performance."
Mazda is still tight-lipped about exactly what we should expect to see under the hood, but we can look to the European CX-60 for clues. The CX-90 rides on the same rear-wheel drive platform and will be designed to accommodate the same powertrain architecture. The European-built CX-60 makes a respectable 323 horsepower. The current CX-90 is on the 250 (with premium) from the I4, so that alone would be a bump.
Interestingly, the CX-60 will be powered by a 48-volt six-cylinder engine (the turbocharged 3.0-liter naturally aspirated in-6 will not be offered) but neither will be a full hybrid. That's likely partly due to the CX-60's small footprint and partly due to the fact that a mainstream two-row crossover would do just fine with 323 horsepower.
We don't have much time to wait for details. Mazda will reveal the 2024 CX-90 in January.
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