Holiday Travel With the Whole Family: What the 2026 Mazda CX-90 Brings to Winter Road Trips
October 30 2026,
Holiday travel means packed bags, wrapped gifts and a full crew of passengers. It also means cold mornings, slushy highways and long hours behind the wheel. The vehicle you choose shapes how the whole trip feels, from the first kilometre to the last.
The 2026 Mazda CX-90 was built with family trips in mind. It seats up to eight, comes standard with i-Activ AWD and offers two powertrains, a mild hybrid inline-six and a plug-in hybrid. Here is what it brings to winter road trips and how to pick the setup that suits your family.
Room for Everyone
The CX-90 has three rows of seats on every trim. Depending on the trim and seating layout, it carries seven or eight people:
- 8 seats (2-3-3): Standard on the GS, with a second-row bench seat on GS-L and up
- 7 seats (2-2-3): Available with second-row captain’s chairs, which leave a walkway to the third row
- 7 seats (2-3-2): Standard on the CX-90 PHEV GT with its bench seat
The second-row seats recline and slide, so passengers can find a comfortable position for the long haul. Captain’s chairs make it easy for older kids to climb into the third row on their own, while the bench layout keeps an extra seat for a grandparent or a friend coming along for the holidays.
Space for Bags and Gifts
Holiday trips carry a lot of stuff. The CX-90 offers three levels of cargo space, depending on how many seats you use:
|
Seats in Use |
Cargo Volume |
|
All three rows up |
423 L |
|
Third row folded |
1,133 L |
|
Second and third rows folded |
2,101 L |
With the whole family on board, the 423 L behind the third row holds the weekend bags. Fold the third row on a trip with fewer passengers, and the space grows to 1,133 L for gifts, coolers and winter gear. Satin chrome roof rails are standard on every trim for a rooftop cargo box.
Warm and Comfortable for Every Row
Winter comfort starts with heat, and the CX-90 spreads it through the cabin:
- 3-zone automatic climate control is standard, with dedicated air vents for the third row and rear heater ducts.
- Heated front seats with three settings are standard on every trim.
- Heated steering wheel comes on GS-L and up.
- Heated second-row outboard seats come on GT and up.
- Front wiper de-icer comes on GS-L and up, helping clear ice from the wiper area on frosty mornings.
Confident Traction on Winter Highways
Every 2026 CX-90 comes with i-Activ AWD. It works with Kinematic Posture Control, which helps keep the body steady through corners. Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) adds Normal, Sport and Off-Road modes on every trim.
For long highway runs, standard Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go helps manage speed and spacing in traffic. Cruise and Traffic Support joins the lineup from the GS-L up.
Two Powertrains for the Long Drive
The CX-90 gives families a choice:
- Mild hybrid (MHEV): A 3.3 L inline 6-cylinder turbo engine with M Hybrid Boost. It makes 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque on regular fuel in its standard form. The GT-P uses the high-output version, making up to 340 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel.
- Plug-in hybrid (PHEV): A 2.5 L 4-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor and a 17.8 kWh battery. It produces 323 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel and offers up to 42 km of electric-only driving.
The mild hybrid suits families who cover long distances with few stops. The plug-in hybrid suits families who can charge at home and want quiet, electric-only driving around town before the trip begins.
Towing for Bigger Adventures
Heading to a cottage or bringing a small trailer? Every CX-90 PHEV can tow up to 3,500 lbs (1,588 kg) when equipped with Mazda Genuine Towing Accessories. The CX-90 MHEV GS tows up to 3,500 lbs (1,588 kg), and the GS-L and above tow up to 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) with the same accessories.
Holiday Road Trip Checklist
Before you head out, run through a few simple steps:
- Fit winter tires on all four wheels for better braking and turning in the cold.
- Top up the windshield washer fluid with a winter-rated mix.
- Pack an emergency kit with blankets, a scraper, a flashlight and snacks.
- Charge your CX-90 PHEV fully the night before, if you drive the plug-in hybrid.
- Load heavy items low and toward the front of the cargo area.
At a Glance
|
Feature |
2026 Mazda CX-90 |
|
Seating |
7 or 8 passengers |
|
Cargo behind third row |
423 L |
|
AWD |
i-Activ AWD standard |
|
Climate |
3-zone automatic with third-row vents |
|
Mild hybrid output |
280 hp, or up to 340 hp on GT-P |
|
Plug-in hybrid output |
323 hp, 42 km electric range |
|
Max towing |
Up to 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) with accessories |
Plan Your Holiday Trip With Scarboro Mazda
Want to see how your family fits in a CX-90 before the holidays? Stop by Scarboro Mazda in Scarborough, and our team will happily walk you through the seating, cargo and powertrain options.
