For U.S. vehicles; figures from Mazda USA and Mazda's newsroom, checked November 4, 2026. Mazda now shows the inline-six CX-90 as a 2027 model; its plug-in hybrid page was still labeled 2026 on the day we checked. Model years are kept separate below.

The Mazda CX-90 can tow up to 5,000 lb, but only the 3.3 Turbo S models carry that rating, and Mazda ties it to Towing mode and Genuine Mazda towing accessories. The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is rated lower, at 3,500 lb when properly equipped. If you saw "5,000 lb" in an ad or a search snippet, check which engine it belongs to before you shop for a trailer.

Mazda CX-90 towing capacity table

Version Maximum tow rating Condition Mazda states Model year on Mazda's page
3.3 Turbo S (inline-six) 5,000 lb Towing mode (part of Mi-Drive) with Mazda Genuine Towing Accessories 2027
Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) 3,500 lb "When properly equipped" 2026

SUVLook's own 2026 CX-90 research profile records a 5,000-lb maximum for a "properly equipped inline-six." Mazda's current wording is narrower: it names the Turbo S models. We use Mazda's current wording here and recommend checking the exact trim on the window sticker.

Which CX-90 configurations carry which rating?

The 2027 inline-six lineup on Mazda's trim comparison page has six trims: 3.3 Turbo Select, Preferred, Premium Sport and Premium Plus, plus 3.3 Turbo S Premium Sport and Premium Plus. The same page lists the base turbo at 280 hp and the Turbo S trims at "up to 340-hp." Mazda's release gives 280 hp and 332 lb-ft for the 3.3 Turbo on regular 87-octane fuel, and up to 340 hp and 369 lb-ft for the 3.3 Turbo S on 91-octane (319 hp on 87 octane).

Here is what we could and could not verify for each family:

  • 3.3 Turbo S (Premium Sport, Premium Plus): 5,000 lb with Towing mode and Genuine Mazda towing accessories, per Mazda's release.
  • 3.3 Turbo (Select, Preferred, Premium Sport, Premium Plus): Mazda's model page and release tie the 5,000-lb figure to the Turbo S. We did not find a separate published tow rating for the lower-output 3.3 Turbo trims on the pages we read, so we do not state one. Ask the dealer for the written rating for the exact VIN.
  • PHEV (Preferred, Premium Sport, Premium Plus): 3,500 lb when properly equipped, per Mazda's PHEV page.

Mazda's PHEV page also says Towing mode, "when available," helps stability with the extra weight, and its CX-90 page lists Towing as one of four Mi-Drive modes. Mazda's footnotes, which we could not fully read in the captured pages, may carry more conditions. Treat the owner's manual as the final word.

Gas inline-six vs PHEV: what changes for towing

The gap between the two ratings is 1,500 lb (5,000 minus 3,500). That is simple arithmetic on Mazda's published figures, not a separate Mazda statement.

The PHEV makes 323 hp and 369 lb-ft on 91-octane fuel and can run on electric power alone, with Mazda quoting an all-electric range of up to 27 miles in its release. Mazda's PHEV page quotes up to 26 miles "around town." The two Mazda pages differ by one mile and cover different model years, so we do not pick one. We did not find any Mazda statement about how a trailer affects electric range. Do not assume the quoted range applies while towing.

If your trailer is near 3,500 lb loaded, the PHEV is right at its limit and the Turbo S is the better-matched choice. If your trailer is well under 3,500 lb loaded, the PHEV's rating is not the constraint, and payload, tongue weight and equipment matter more.

Equipment and conditions Mazda attaches

Mazda ties the top rating to equipment, not to the SUV alone:

  • Towing mode. It is part of Mi-Drive, which all 3.3 Turbo S models include, per Mazda's release.
  • Genuine Mazda towing accessories. Mazda's release says the 5,000-lb maximum applies when the vehicle is equipped with them. An aftermarket hitch is not described as qualifying on the pages we read.
  • Trailer Hitch View. Mazda says the 360° View Monitor includes it on Premium Plus and Turbo S trims. It is a camera aid, not a rating condition.

We did not find a published braked versus unbraked split, a tongue-weight limit, a payload figure or a gross combined weight rating for the CX-90 on the Mazda pages we read. Do not fill those gaps with numbers from a dealer blog. Look in the owner's manual and the door-jamb label.

What the number means in practice

A tow rating is the most trailer weight the manufacturer allows under stated conditions. It is not a promise that every load up to that weight is comfortable or within every other limit.

  • Weigh the loaded trailer. A camper's dry weight leaves out water, propane, batteries, gear and anything you add. A 5,000-lb rating applies to the loaded trailer.
  • Tongue weight uses up payload. The downward load on the hitch counts against the SUV's carrying capacity along with passengers and cargo. Use the label on your vehicle's door jamb.
  • Check the whole combination. The trailer's brakes, the hitch rating and the vehicle's other limits all apply. Follow the owner's manual.
  • Third-row use. The SUVLook CX-90 profile lists 14.9 to 15.9 cu ft behind the third row (2026 figures, configuration dependent). A full cabin plus luggage plus tongue weight is a payload question, not a trailer-rating question.

This article does not give hitch-installation steps. Have a qualified installer fit Genuine Mazda accessories and follow the manual.

How the CX-90 compares with three-row rivals

The rivals below are 2026 figures from SUVLook's vehicle profiles. Compare like for like: the CX-90 numbers above are 2027 (inline-six) and 2026 (PHEV).

SUV (2026 profile) Published maximum Condition in the profile
Honda Pilot 5,000 lb AWD (2WD is 3,500 lb)
Hyundai Palisade 5,000 lb gas; 4,000 lb hybrid With brakes
Toyota Grand Highlander 5,000 lb Gas and Hybrid MAX (regular hybrid is 3,500 lb)
Ford Explorer 5,000 lb Properly equipped
Chevrolet Traverse 5,000 lb Properly equipped

So a Turbo S CX-90 matches the 5,000-lb headline of these rivals, while the CX-90 PHEV's 3,500 lb equals the Grand Highlander regular hybrid and sits below the Palisade Hybrid's 4,000 lb. Sources: Honda's 2026 Pilot towing page, Hyundai's 2026 Palisade page, Toyota's 2026 Grand Highlander page, Ford's 2026 Explorer ST page and Chevrolet's Traverse page.

For a direct spec comparison, see CX-90 vs Palisade. For all three-row and midsize options side by side, use our SUV towing capacity hub.

Price context

For 2027, Mazda lists the 3.3 Turbo S Premium Sport at $53,540 (two-row) or $54,740 (three-row), and the Turbo S Premium Plus at $57,970. The PHEV starts at $50,695 (Preferred), with Premium Sport at $55,500 and Premium Plus at $58,700. The base 3.3 Turbo Select starts at $39,700. These MSRPs exclude the $1,645 destination charge ($1,690 in Alaska), taxes, title and fees.

If towing 5,000 lb is the purchase reason, the entry point into that rating is the Turbo S Premium Sport. The cheaper Select and Preferred trims are not described as carrying the 5,000-lb rating on the pages we read.

Frequently asked questions

How much can a Mazda CX-90 tow?

Up to 5,000 lb on 3.3 Turbo S models, with Towing mode and Genuine Mazda towing accessories per Mazda. The PHEV is rated at 3,500 lb when properly equipped.

Can every CX-90 trim tow 5,000 lb?

Not according to the Mazda pages we read. Mazda names the 3.3 Turbo S models. We did not find a published rating for the other inline-six trims, so confirm it in writing before buying.

Does the CX-90 PHEV tow less than the gas model?

Yes. Mazda lists 3,500 lb for the PHEV versus 5,000 lb for the Turbo S.

Do I need Mazda's own hitch?

Mazda's 5,000-lb statement is conditioned on Mazda Genuine Towing Accessories. Confirm any alternative with Mazda and the owner's manual.

Is there a braked and unbraked rating?

We did not find one published on the Mazda pages we read. Check the owner's manual and trailer instructions.

Has SUVLook tested this?

No. The ratings are manufacturer-published. We have not towed with the CX-90.