This Hybrid SUV Alternative Costs Thousands Less Than A BMW X5

7 minutes reading

Saturday, 22 Aug 2026 22:00 0 5 autotech

Once considered the ideal choice for a more specific consumer who prioritized off-roading and perceived utility, SUVs have grown from being a niche option for certain drivers to becoming, by far, the most popular segment of cars on U.S. roads in 2026. With roughly 50 percent of new vehicle sales in the US being SUVs, this controversial rise of huge, commanding vehicles continues to take the market by storm. With an appetite for status, a heightened road view, and a bulky yet flashy design language, consumers are looking at more alternatives than ever to the standard, well-regarded BMWs and Audis.

Table of Contents

Why The BMW X5 Sets The $66,000 Bar That Everyone Else Has To Beat

Front action shot of 2026 BMW X5 M driving on road

BMW

A Fully Loaded CX-90 PHEV Costs Less Than A Base BMW X5 — And Has More Space

Front 3/4 action shot of 2026 Mazda CX-90 driving on road

From $39,300 To $58,700: Which CX-90 Trim Actually Beats The BMW X5 On Value?

Rear 3/4 shot of 2026 Mazda CX-90 Towing A Motorcycle

There are three main categories of trim levels for the 2026 Mazda CX-90: Turbo trims, Turbo S trims, and PHEV trims, each with sub-trim levels available. Given the number of options that Mazda is offering, choosing which is the best value for you can be a little confusing. The Turbo Select costs $39,300 and offers the basic amenities you’d expect from a modern vehicle, including 19-inch alloys, leatherette seats, Apple CarPlay, and a suite of safety features.

The Turbo Preferred costs $43,450 and has 21-inch alloys, real leather seating, heated seats, ventilated front seats, and wireless phone charging. The Premium and Premium Plus packages range from $47,000 to $50,270 and include upgraded speakers, sporty design accents, a 5,000-pound towing capacity, a 360-degree view camera, and a 12.3-inch digital cluster.

The Turbo S Premium Sport costs $54,140 and includes the best features of the Turbo Premium trim level but with a sportier external design language and 340 horsepower. The Turbo S Premium Plus costs $57,570 and has a 340 horsepower engine with all the features of the Turbo Premium Plus trim.

There are three trim levels for the CX-90 in plug-in hybrid form: a more basic PHEV spec, a PHEV Premium, and the PHEV Premium Plus, which is essentially the most advanced CX-90 available. These vehicles range from $50,695 to $58,700 and compete most directly with the X5 due to the electrification of the powertrain.

The CX-90’s One Real Weakness: Hybrid Battery Issues And No OTA Updates

Unfortunately, this is a point of contention for the Mazda CX-90. Because it sits on a relatively new platform that launched in 2023, there are still some growing pains becoming clear through a few common issues. One of which is electrical glitches showing issues with the hybrid system, which are mostly software bugs and usually nothing too serious, but Mazda’s 48V battery for the CX-90 has shown a higher than average failure rate. While the 2026 vehicles are improved compared to the 2025 and 2024 variants, Mazda does not offer over-the-air updates to fix software issues, so a dealer visit is required.

While this isn’t ideal news, and the 70/100 quality and reliability score from J.D. Power is somewhat disappointing, there are several factors that should provide some reassurance. Firstly, the gasoline-only options are considerably more trouble-free than the PHEVs, meaning the cheaper trim levels of this car are actually more dependable. Secondly, the way in which most people purchase cars now means long-term reliability isn’t as much of a problem. If you plan to lease or keep this car within the limits of the five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty, issues should be minimal.

The Mazda CX-90 And BMW X5 Trade Blows In Different Areas

Both the CX-90 and the X5 have areas where they are comparable but have clear advantages and disadvantages compared to each other. The 2026 BMW X5’s most prominent wins are in the area of sportiness and performance. While the CX-90’s Turbo S trims and PHEVs are not slouches with comfortably over 300 horsepower, the X5 is designed at its core to be a genuinely fast vehicle. The base X5 goes from 0-60 mph in 5.3 seconds, leaving the CX-90 comfortably behind with its time of 6.2 seconds. BMWs also just have a greater sense of occasion, cabin serenity and prestige, which are present in the X5, and it can also tow 7,200 pounds compared to the CX-90’s 5,000 pounds.

The main advantage of the CX-90 is that you can get a seriously well-equipped model for $42,000 to $47,000 — more than $20,000 cheaper for a comparable feature list to the BMW. Also, every single CX-90 comes with AWD standard, meaning an AWD CX-90 is $30,000 cheaper than the base X5, which really is excellent value for money. It also offers far cheaper routine maintenance and cheaper insurance. The CX-90 is also the better family car, with six- to eight-seat options, more legroom, and more trunk space, making it a more usable vehicle for families who require lots of space.

Should You Buy A 2026 Mazda CX-90?

Under the right circumstances, it’s definitely worth considering. If you have a maximum budget of $50,000, require six or more seats and a large trunk, and care more about features than performance, it’s a vehicle perfectly suited to you. That $42,000 to $50,000 sweet spot can yield you a vehicle with amenities comparable to a far more expensive BMW X5. The main issue is software bugs and general reliability, which you would have to take into consideration. However, if you plan on leasing a CX-90 or owning one for five or so years, and its generous trunk space and legroom appeal to you, it’s an incredibly solid choice.