Mazda CX-90 PHEV confirmed in new teaser

Mazda has released a pair of new teaser images – one in Australia and one in the US – of the upcoming 2023 Mazda CX-90, showcasing different elements of the all-new large seven-seat premium SUV’s tail-light design.

The local image shows off the CX-90’s rear lighting signature against a city skyline as the sun sets, while the US shot gives us an unadulterated view of the tail-light cluster in full light, revealing it to be very similarly to that of the smaller Mazda CX-60, which the bigger CX-90 will follow into local showrooms next year.

Speculation has been ongoing for a while now as to how similar Mazda’s various new Large Product Group models will look and now it seems we have our answer.

More pressing though is Mazda North America’s confirmation of a plug-in hybrid powertrain being included in the range, which is almost guaranteed to be the same 2.5-litre system as seen in the CX-60.

The electrified powertrain’s presence in the Australian range is yet to be locked in, however, it would make sense given its inclusion in the local CX-60 range and the fact many of its large SUV competitors are already electrified, including the Toyota Kluger hybrid, the Kia Sorento hybrid and plug-in hybrid, and the Hyundai Santa Fe hybrid.

Said powertrain is good for 241kW/500Nm, comfortably making it Mazda’s most powerful production powertrain to date and out-performing the CX-60’s 209kW/450Nm 3.3-litre turbo-petrol straight-six and 187kW/550Nm turbo-diesel inline six.

Both longitudinally-mounted sixes will feature in the local CX-90 range too, and will likely also find their way into whichever LPG models make it to Australia.

The PHEV system is said to sip just 2.1L/100km under the bonnet of the CX-60, but the bigger and heavier CX-90 will probably consume more fuel.

Also for comparison’s sake, the diesel CX-60 is touted to use 4.9L/100km.

Referring to the local teaser image, Mazda Australia said the CX-90 will feature “a bold silhouette” and promised “a new level of refinement and family sophistication”.

“Skilful application of Mazda’s signature Kodo design philosophy gives the flagship SUV powerful proportions, accentuating the interplay of light and shadow on its surfaces to convey a sense of dynamic movement,” the brand said in a statement.

“First-Ever Mazda CX-90 will be the second example from Mazda’s large-platform model group to arrive in Australia, following the introduction of first-ever Mazda CX-60.”

The CX-90 is on track to be revealed in January ahead of its local introduction some time later in 2023.

For everything you auto know about EVs, listen to carsales' Watts Under the Bonnet: the electric car podcast

Join the conversation at 

our Facebook page

Or email us at 

editor@carsales.com.au