In the world of auto manufacturers, Mazda remains an independent voice. And you gotta love ‘em, they have stayed true to their vision of driving enjoyment – hey this is the Miata company! – and also have been moving the brand upscale at the same time.
The only problem is, developing tech like EV, hybrid, and more is expensive and time consuming. And while EV’s seem to be on the back burner now, hybrid models are still hot, hot, hot. So Mazda did a very smart thing, they partnered with Toyota to add a hybrid powertrain to the already-sweet Mazda CX-50. So, is this a match made in hybrid heaven? Let’s take a look!
It’s a looker
Interesting how things change – while hybrids used to be the slimmed-down version of a model, in part to keep weight down, modern tech means you can get all the goodies and the hybrid goodness.
And we’re pleased, because the hunky-looking CX-50 keeps the Mazda tradition of upscale, expressive style – in a new bold direction that you see in the C-30, CX-70 and CX-90.
Up front is the familiar pentagon grille and winged logo. Blacked out for added badness, the grille is braced by projector-beam LED headlights that curve up into the hood line for a seriously angry look. Those in the know will notice a lower grille design that’s unique to hybrid models, but it’s a subtle difference.
When the CX-50 was first introduced, the wider, fender-flared design was a departure for Mazda and we have to say that it’s aging beautifully, and the proportions of the CX-50 make it our favorite Mazda crossover/SUV. The blacked-out wheel liners and lower body molding reinforce a ready-for-anything, trail-ready look. A subtle hybrid badge lives on the front fender so you can have some hybrid pride.
Another hybrid departure are unique alloy wheels, and on our Premium Plus tester, that means an especially handsome set of 19-inch, split, black and machine polished wheels with a cool turbine-inspired design.
The rearview remains a sporty statement, with taillights that wrap around to the fenders, with a U-shaped design that’s a fresh take. Large side grilles add to the sporty vibe, while bright dual exhaust pipes promise performance. Finishing off the presentation was our tester’s optional Machine Gray Metallic paint. A rich, deep color that’s elegant and upscale.
Seeing Red
Inside, the look again is familiar, and that’s a great thing – Mazda has really been focusing on going upscale lately, and the CX-50 is one of their most handsome models.
And that’s apparent as soon as you open the door and are met by a rich, red leather-wrapped seats with a sporty stitched black panel in the seatback and lower cushion. Heated and cooled, the front seats are very supportive and comfy.
It’s just the beginning of a premium presentation – all the materials are soft to the touch, and there’s red stitching throughout the cabin and red panels on the center console and doors that add to the look.
Mazda may have gone premium, but it remains a driver’s brand, and CX-50 serves up plenty of sportiness with a thick leather-wrapped steering wheel, and meaty shift lever. Mazda even sweats the little details like having an accelerator pedal that pivots off the floor for a more natural feel. Cool.
Also cool are the gauges. We love Mazda’s take on the gauge package with a large analog charge and power display on one side, with coolant and fuel gauges on the other. The center 160 mph speedometer is actually a 7-inch LCD that looks analog. The display does other nice stuff, like displaying speed limit signs, stops, fuel range and more, all in an easy to see package. For a quick read, our tester also had a nice heads-up display.
The center console houses a big and beautiful 10.25-inch widescreen, accessed through a very Audi-like click wheel behind the shift lever. A smaller volume knob is also within easy reach.
While most manufacturers are moving away from this style and going to a strict touchscreen, it’s a bit of reach in the CX-50. Also, we did find that the display will work as a touchscreen, at least in Apple CarPlay mode and our Waze looked great on it.
Another plus, the CX-50 features Alexa Built-in, that lets you check your calendar, get directions, control car temperature, play music, and more, without having to remove your hands from the wheel. Nice!
Wireless charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are along for the ride so you can ditch the cables and keep the cabin looking good. The 12-speaker Bose audio system fills up the cabin with quality sound, so it sounds as good as it looks!
We also like that Mazda keeps the climate control separate from the info-tainment system, with easy-to-use knobs and simple buttons for quick at-a-glance use.
The spacious interior pays off for those in back with adult-friendly seats and impressive cargo space. Mazda made a conscious effort to make the Hybrid’s battery pack as unintrusive as possible, so cargo space is excellent with rear seats up, and huge with the rears folded down.
Hello Hybrid
Most of this applies to all the CX-50 models, but the Hybrid powertrain brings on a very different driving experience.
Under the hood is the Hybrid system from the Toyota RAV4 – one of the best – and it features a 2.5-liter, 4-cyllinder combined with three electric motors. The numbers look good, with 219 horsepower and 163 lb.-ft of torque. And with a combined 38 EPA MPG, its about 40% improved over the CX-50 2.5S. That’s impressive.
We found the engine response to be typical hybrid with plenty of instant low-end torque that makes around town zippy if not truly fast. It’s a very smooth and quiet system and teamed to a CVT transmission and featuring standard Electric AWD, the CX-50 is calm, composed and confident.
What is missing for us is the fun factor. And we found at higher speeds the power was ok, but not much beyond that. We blame Mazda for offering the 256-horsepower turbo model, and that thing is a rocket. We like rockets!
Mazda does like to provide balanced performance, and while we were a little lukewarm on the power, the rest of the drive is Mazda goodness. The steering feel has a nice heft and a real feeling of precision, the grip is excellent with standard AWD, and the ride is a perfect blend of sporty firm and daily comfort. Brake feel is excellent too. While max towing at 1,500 lbs. is lower than other CX-50’s, we’re guessing that’s not the focus of the hybrid buyer.
This is a vehicle that is always a great drive – a comfy interior with low noise for the daily, but plenty of good vibes for a twisty on ramp or curvy road. It’s the overall balance that make Mazdas one of our very favorite vehicles.
The CX-50 ups the ante across the board on safety tech for ‘25, adding rear seat alert, vehicle exit warning, and an improved version of Smart Brake Support that includes provisions for nighttime pedestrian detection and head-on collision mitigation. That’s on top of standard lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control. Nice
Hybrid, High Price?
This is probably the best kind of surprise – one that saves you money!
The CX-50 line up starts with the 2.5 S Select at $30,500, for a stylish, spacious, AWD and upscale 5-passenger crossover/SUV that’s a bargain. The hybrid line starts with the Preferred model, and at $33,970, it’s a great price as well.
Our tester was the top-of-the-line hybrid, the Premium Plus, and started at $40,050. With the sole option of Machine Gray Metallic Paint ($ 595) and $1,420 for Destination, we rang the bell at $42,065. For a vehicle that feels like an Audi or Volvo, we think it’s a great value as well.
If you’re shopping the main brands, the Honda CR-V Hybrid is an excellent choice, and close at price at $42,950. We think the Mazda feels like a step above in luxury though. An interesting comparison is the Toyota RAV4 hybrid that shares the CX-50’s engine, priced at $42,425. A RAV4 is a great vehicle, but like the Honda, we feel the CX-50 is a cut above in its premium feel and neither match the Mazda’s sporty drive.
With great looks, features, premium vibe and efficiency, the 2025 Mazda CX-50 is our favorite affordable hybrid crossover/SUV!
Ben Lewis grew up in Chicago, and after spending his formative years driving sideways in the winter – often intentionally – moved to sunny Southern California. He now enjoys sunny weather year-round — whether it is autocross driving, aerobatics, and learning to surf.