The 2026 Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid earned the Best PHEV SUV for Families title from U.S. News & World Report. The three-row SUV topped its segment with the highest composite score in the publication’s 2026 Best Cars for Families awards.
Highlights
- The CX-90 PHEV earned the top composite score in the plug-in hybrid SUV segment from U.S. News & World Report.
- The award evaluates safety data, predicted reliability, cargo space, in-vehicle technology, and ease-of-use features.
- The model also holds the IIHS 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK+ designation.
- Consumer Reports ranked Mazda as the safest new-car brand overall in February 2026.
Award Criteria
The Best Cars for Families program evaluates vehicles on factors most relevant to family buyers. These include safety data, predicted reliability, passenger and cargo space, in-vehicle technology, and professional reviewer feedback. The CX-90 PHEV scored highest among all plug-in hybrid SUVs in the overall composite ranking.
“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.”
Safety Record
The CX-90 PHEV also carries the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s highest designation, the 2025 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+. That rating reinforces its standing as one of the safest three-row SUVs available.
Additionally, Consumer Reports ranked Mazda as the safest new-car brand overall in February 2026. The ranking cited strong performance in crashworthiness, braking, emergency handling, and crash-prevention technology effectiveness. More information is available here.
“With smart packaging, advanced safety, and the flexibility of electric-only driving, the CX-90 PHEV was built for the way families live today,” said Mazda North American Operations President and CEO Tom Donnelly. “This award reinforces our commitment to deliver safety, efficiency, and an exceptional driving experience.”
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