News Releases
CX-90 PHEV recognized for its safety leadership, family friendly design, and versatile three row capability in the 2026 Best Cars for Families Awards
IRVINE, Calif. (Mar. 12, 2026) — 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 (Click here for more information).
About Mazda North American Operations
Proudly founded in Hiroshima, Japan, Mazda has a history of sophisticated craftsmanship and innovation, and a purpose to enrich life-in-motion for those it serves. By putting humans at the center of everything it does, Mazda aspires to create uplifting experiences with our vehicles and for people. Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Colombia through approximately 795 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada Inc. in Richmond Hill, Ontario; operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City; and operations in Colombia are managed by Mazda de Colombia in Bogota, Colombia. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at news.mazdausa.com.
Follow @MazdaUSA on social media: Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and Threads. To learn more about advanced safety at Mazda, please visit the MazdaUSA.com website - https://www.mazdausa.com/why-mazda/safety.
