2026 Mazda CX‑90 PHEV Adventure Awards Guide

The team at Modern Mazda, part of Shaker Auto Group, is excited to share that the Mazda CX‑90 Plug‑in Hybrid has just been named a winner in two U.S. News & World Report Best Adventure Vehicles categories, and we think that matters for New England drivers who love to get outside.
Key Takeaways
- The Mazda CX‑90 PHEV earned U.S. News awards for Best Midsize Plug‑In Hybrid SUV for Road Trips and for Camping.
- U.S. News highlighted its balance of efficiency, comfort, and capability for different kinds of adventures.
- The CX‑90 PHEV also carries an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation, reinforcing its appeal as a family‑friendly three‑row SUV.
- Evaluation for the adventure awards focused on real‑world factors like fuel economy, interior space, versatility, and comfort.
- Drivers around Thomaston and across New England can shop this award‑winning SUV at Modern Mazda and explore current inventory online.
Why Did The CX‑90 PHEV Win These U.S. News Adventure Awards?
U.S. News & World Report created the Best Adventure Vehicles Awards to recognize vehicles that fit modern travel lifestyles, from long highway runs to weekend camping getaways. The Mazda CX‑90 PHEV stood out and was named Best Midsize Plug‑In Hybrid SUV for Road Trips and Best Midsize Plug‑In Hybrid SUV for Camping.
According to U.S. News, judges were looking for vehicles that balance efficiency, comfort, and capability, and the CX‑90 Plug‑in Hybrid delivered all three in a single three‑row package. This makes it a natural fit for families in Thomaston and throughout New England who want one SUV that can handle daily life and longer adventures with ease.
What Makes The CX‑90 PHEV A Strong Road Trip SUV For New England Drivers?
For the road trip category, U.S. News focused on real travel priorities, such as fuel economy, interior space, versatility, and comfort, backed by each model’s overall score from the U.S. News Best Cars rankings. A plug‑in hybrid like the CX‑90 PHEV can offer electric‑only driving for shorter errands while still giving you gas‑powered range for longer highway journeys across New England.
Inside, the three‑row layout provides generous space for passengers and luggage, so you can pack coolers, camping gear, and extra layers without feeling cramped on the way up to the Berkshires or the Maine coast. The emphasis on comfort means supportive seating and a quiet cabin designed for longer stretches behind the wheel, which matters on those interstate drives when you are heading out of Thomaston for long weekends. If you are comparing family SUVs or checking cars for sale in Thomaston, this award gives shoppers a clear signal that the CX‑90 PHEV is built for real road trip use, not just short commutes.
How Does The CX‑90 PHEV Support Camping Adventures Around Thomaston And New England?
In the camping category, U.S. News looked closely at versatility and interior space, since campers need room for tents, sleeping bags, and food as well as comfortable seating for the drive to the site. Here, the CX‑90 PHEV’s three‑row design and flexible cargo area help it stand out, letting you fold seats as needed and adapt the cabin for different trips.
Mazda also engineered the CX‑90 PHEV to give drivers confidence and flexibility on longer journeys or weekend outdoor trips, which the brand itself highlighted when celebrating these awards. That focus aligns well with the way we see customers use their SUVs in Connecticut and nearby states, from state park camping to ski weekends further north. If you are exploring affordable SUVs in Connecticut that can support both family errands and outdoor escapes, taking a closer look at the CX‑90 PHEV at Modern Mazda is a practical next step.
How Does Safety Factor Into Adventure‑Ready Confidence?
Adventure vehicles are not just about cargo room and road trip comfort, they also need to inspire trust when you are driving with family and friends. The Mazda CX‑90 PHEV has earned an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick+ designation, a recognition reserved for models that meet high crashworthiness and crash‑avoidance standards.
That safety achievement reinforces the idea that this three‑row SUV is one of the safest options in its class and makes it easier to feel confident on crowded highways or winding rural roads across New England. With weather that can shift quickly in our region, it is reassuring to know your adventure‑ready SUV has been recognized for both its safety performance and its overall quality in national evaluations. At Modern Mazda, we pay close attention to these independent ratings, because they help us guide Thomaston shoppers toward vehicles that match their family and lifestyle needs.
How Can Thomaston Shoppers Experience The CX‑90 PHEV For Themselves?
Awards are helpful, but nothing replaces seeing how a vehicle feels on the road and fits your daily life. We encourage drivers in Thomaston and nearby communities to browse our current selection of Mazda CX‑90 PHEV models, compare available trims and features, and schedule a test drive to experience its comfort and capability firsthand.
Our team at Modern Mazda is familiar with New England driving conditions and knows the mix of highway commuting, small‑town streets, and weekend trips that many customers balance each week. Whether you are focused on efficiency for longer commutes or interior versatility for camping and family travel, we are here to walk you through vehicles in stock and help you determine if the CX‑90 Plug‑in Hybrid is the right fit. This combination of local experience and careful vehicle inspection is part of why Thomaston shoppers turn to Shaker Auto Group stores when they are ready for their next SUV.
The adventure‑ready recognition from U.S. News & World Report shows that the Mazda CX‑90 PHEV brings together efficiency, comfort, versatility, and safety in ways that matter for real drivers, and Modern Mazda is proud to offer this award‑winning SUV to shoppers in Thomaston and across New England. If you are ready to explore available models on our lot, we invite you to visit our showroom, browse our inventory online, or schedule a test drive today so you can see how this plug‑in hybrid fits your next road trip or camping plan.
*Penned by AI, polished by humans


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