The Mazda CX-50 has proven to be a very compelling SUV entry for Mazda with the 50 catering to customers who want capability and Mazda style, but don’t need the large size that often comes with a larger CX-70 or 90. However, the lone omission in the CX-50’s flexible arsenal of tricks was a hybrid model to help it tune in with a resurgence in demand for both hybrids and their plug-in counterparts. But is the 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid the right tool for the job?
Toyota powertrain defines partnership
Mazda is one of several automakers that have entered into partnerships with Japanese auto giant Toyota in recent years and in the case of the CX-50, this newfound friendship is found under the hood of all CX-50 hybrid models. Look under the hood and you’ll find the same 2.5-liter four-cylinder and triple electric motor layout that powers the RAV4 Hybrid with the Mazda also making a combined 219 hp from its powertrain.
All-wheel drive is standard but the bundled-in CVT saps alot of the fun out of this Mazda and there were times when we wished the CVT would find the right simulated gear and allow the CX-50 Hybrid to make the most out of the three electric motors on hand. The hybrid is also heavier than a standard CX-50 and this is reflected in a sluggish 7.6-secodn0 to 60 time and the handling behavior feeling not as tuned in to the road as other Mazda models in the past. Lastly, the CX-50 Hybrid also has less towing capacity than a non-hybrid version of the CX-50 with our tester being rated for a mere 1,500 lbs of towing capacity versus the beefier 3,500 lb limit seen on other CX-50 variants. Fuel economy doesn’t stray too far from the Toyota’s with our tester getting an EPA-rated 39/37/38 mpg in city/freeway/combined driving.
Stylish suit of clothes sets this SUV apart
It can be easy to dismiss the CX-50 as nothing more than a RAV4 Hybrid pretending to wear athletic wear, but Mazda designers did a good job crafting a suit of clothes that’s visually distinctive and on brand with the design language that the company is trying to emulate here. The front end is still very bold looking with the side profile borrowing select design touches from other Mazda offerings to help lead the eye to the handsome rear end and its sporty taillights.
The Hybrid also hides its green credentials very well and has a distinct “Q-Ship” feel when it comes to fuel economy with the only giveaways being model-exclusive hybrid badges that are sprinkled onto select parts of the SUV. The CX-50 also attempts to be more rugged than some of its brand mates with the addition of chunky pieces of black cladding that are mounted along the lower portions of the vehicle. With this high level of style, the Mazda is a very interesting cross-shop when viewed alongside the RAV4 which has a more functional design that trades in flair for rugged inner charms.
CX-50 interior is still comfortable place to spend time in
Like the non-hybrid version, the CX-50 Hybrid offers room for up to five passengers. The front seats are reasonably supportive and offer good amounts of cushioning but the rear seats don’t follow the same script and are noticeably flatter and less comfortable on long journeys. The cabin is constructed of high-quality materials and Premium Plus models like our tester get black leather upholstery with contrasting brown stitching. A partially digital gauge display is standard and Mazda gives the base model an impressive array of equipment with higher trims adding goodies like a panoramic sunroof and more.
All CX-50 Hybrids get a 10.3-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. An eight-speaker sound system and a wireless phone charging pad are standard too but the company’s insistence on using a large rotary knob instead of a formal touchscreen does inject an unnecessary amount of frustration into the user experience especially when accessing select menus. The CX-50 Hybrid also offers a good amount of cargo space and this rearward space can be cavernous when the rear seats are folded down.
Value quotient
Pricing for the 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid starts at $33,970 for the base Preferred model with the mid-level Premium model starting at $37,400. The Hybrid is a three-tier ladder with range-topping Premium Plus models like our tester having a final as-tested price of $40,050. This pricing puts the Mazda firmly in the hunt with other Hybrid SUVs including the RAV4 Hybrid. In addition, it also brings the fight to the Subaru Forester, Honda CR-V, and the Nissan Rogue.
While its Toyota-sourced hardware might cause some Mazda fans to cry foul, the 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid is a needed necessity for the company with the CX-50 Hybrid providing fuel economy benefits in a package that’s just the right size and price. This will be important as the company continues its unique journey into electrification with the company confirming that it’s taking a calculated approach to the subject which could help it win big in the long run.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.