Lastly, Mazda has a traditional hybrid. Mazda has simply plugged a giant gap in its lineup by including some hybrid tech from Toyota. The Mazda CX-50 is now straightforward on gasoline, so we put it to the take a look at to see if that new engine makes the CX-50 lose its fun-to-drive character or if the expertise is enhanced by the assembly of the minds.
Mazda lastly acquired onboard the electrification prepare with its PHEV CX-90 and CX-70 (simply ignore the oddball MX-30 EV), however earlier than this it didn’t provide something for patrons who didn’t wish to shell out huge bucks for the large battery. It was all about combustion.
Mixing Toyota hybrid tech with Mazda cabin and engineering know-how makes this CX-50 one thing actually particular. It’s a mannequin that feels good to drive, appears good inside and outside, and might ship practically 40 mpg. It’s not all roses, although, as Mazda’s touchscreen resistance and overly heavy steering make this crossover a bit of more durable to stay with.
Briefly: Zoom zoom with sip sip. The CX-50 is the rough-road Mazda, buying and selling a bit of little bit of pavement enjoyable for some gravel street consolation and competence. The brand new hybrid system simply makes it higher, by the use of extra energy and fewer time/cash filling up.
Engine:
2.5L I4 Hybrid
Horsepower:
219 hp
Torque:
N/A
Mileage:
EPA est. 39/37
Cargo capability:
29.2 cu.-ft. (56.3 max)
MSRP:
$33,970
Rugged appears
Off-road journey
On-road dealing with
Gas-sipping hybrid
Luxurious inside
Scroll dial infotainment
Stiff steering
Low floor clearance
Value bump for hybrid
CVT drone
Evan Williams
2025 Mazda CX-50 Assessment
(Picture/Evan Williams)
When Mazda launched the CX-50 in 2022, it was one thing totally different for the model. For the final couple of a long time, Mazda had been specializing in on-road dealing with. Even when it was promoting crossovers, it needed to promote them to the type of one that was additionally fascinated with shopping for the MX-5 roadster.
Agency, direct steering, crisp gearshifts, suspension settings that stayed on the agency aspect of the consolation bubble, and low-profile tires that have been extra about cornering grip than being sturdy on gravel. That was Mazda’s core worth.
The CX-50 modified that. Mazda needed to attraction to the rising North American viewers of adventurers. Individuals who needed to transcend the pavement. It wasn’t meant to be a rock crawler by any stretch of the creativeness, however the CX-50 was meant to be snug on a gravel street — to not shake the driving force to dying or rattle the automobile to items on a forest street or the path to that backwoods cottage.
On the similar time, Mazda needed to keep up a minimum of a few of that on-road efficiency. A tricky rope to stroll.
CX-50 Provides A lot-Wanted Hybrid Energy
(Picture/Evan Williams)
The large change this 12 months is one thing that Mazda has wanted for a very long time. The 2025 CX-50 picks up a hybrid powertrain because of its partnership with Toyota.
Mazda builds the CX-50 at a plant in Alamaba it shares with Toyota. However whereas the Corolla Cross rolls off the meeting line, it’s the RAV4’s hybrid system that goes into the CX-50.
It pairs a 2.5L four-cylinder and three electrical motors to make 219 horsepower. That’s greater than the 187 horses of the CX-50’s base 2.5L 4 and fewer than the 256 horsepower of the two.5 turbo. And sure, that’s three totally different 2.5L engines supplied for 2025.
This can be a powertrain we all know effectively, as a result of it’s been motivating the Toyota RAV4 for years. Like within the Toyota it makes use of an electrical motor to energy the again tires as a substitute of a driveshaft from the entrance, serving to save complexity and scale back the variety of components.
It behaves nearly precisely the way it does within the RAV4, with loads of torque from a cease and a foul behavior of droning on once you’re actually on the fuel. However, Mazda says it has tweaked the system as a result of Mazda patrons count on a bit of extra Zoom Zoom than Toyota patrons.
Mazda Places Personal Contact on Toyota Tech
A extra responsive accelerator pedal and a Mazda-specific calibration provides the CX-50’s hybrid system a bit of extra zip. It appears faster to carry the hybrid system to max energy, and faster to rev. It’s additionally quieter than this engine is in any Toyota, and Mazda says it has put a give attention to decreasing NVH in contrast with its fuel fashions.
More often than not, it makes much less noise than Mazda’s fuel engines. It’s additionally smoother as a result of there are not any shifts to attend for.
38 Miles Per Gallon Mixed
(Picture/Evan Williams)
This method received’t curiosity patrons who have been trying on the CX-50 Turbo, but it surely’s a critical improve over the usual engine — not simply by the pedal however on the pumps. The hybrid ought to ship 38 mpg mixed, which is a giant enchancment over the 28 mixed ranking of the fuel base engine. It’ll additionally tow 1,500 kilos, 500 lower than the usual 2.5.
One fast observe for patrons who have been fascinated with the turbo: To get the 256 horses, you want to pay for 93 octane. Should you use a budget stuff, you’ll solely get 227 and get 25 mpg, making this mannequin look more and more interesting.
Heavy Steering Dampens Wonderful Dynamics
(Picture/Evan Williams)
Mazda needs its automobiles to attraction to patrons who wish to drive, and that’s the probably reason behind one of many CX-50’s greatest faults. To assist it have “deft steering” and “great dynamics,” Mazdas get steering that could be very closely weighted. The CX-50 I drove, just like some copies of the CX-70 and CX-90 have steering that’s heavy to the purpose of inconvenience.
Needing to maintain each palms on to maintain the CX-50 pointed in a straight line on the freeway is a chore. It felt like I used to be preventing with lane preserve help pulling me in each instructions despite the fact that I confirmed the system was utterly off. Parking maneuvers took critical two-handed effort to show the wheel, with steering that felt like there was no energy help in any respect.
Mazda’s suspension engineers, then again, have as soon as once more accomplished a wonderful job. The CX-50 has much less physique roll than its opponents, and once you’re not preventing the wheel, it feels very planted and steady in corners. By small crossover requirements, this can be a delight to drive, fast to show in, and extremely responsive, although it’s positively softer than a CX-5.
Copes Properly Off-Pavement, Too
It additionally does effectively within the filth. I took the CX-50 down a path I had been utilizing to check a number of off-roaders that day, together with a TRD Professional Tacoma. The CX-50 had wonderful journey consolation on the path, not tossing me round like its friends did. The AWD system’s use of electrical energy within the rear helped ensure that I stored going ahead when the entrance tires slipped, too.
Due to the hybrid system, it does have much less floor clearance. The CX-50 loses half an inch versus the comparable fuel trims, and that comes with equally small modifications to method and departure angles. Nonetheless, 7.8 inches is sufficient for what you’re probably to make use of this crossover for.
Excessive-Class Mazda Inside
(Picture/Evan Williams)
The cabin is identical as each different CX-50, apart from a few hybrid-specific screens on the instrument cluster and middle display screen. It’s a really well-put-together automobile and has one of many extra luxurious-feeling cabins within the phase.
You’ll discover some lovely-looking seats within the CX-50, however that doesn’t imply you’ll discover consolation. Mazda likes its seat foam agency and this mannequin isn’t any totally different. It additionally has a brief seat backside, so when you have lengthy thighs like me, you may discover the help there missing. Often some tilt adjustment to carry up the entrance of the underside cushion treatments this, however the Mazda doesn’t have sufficient vary of motion to repair it.
Please, Mazda, Use Touchscreens!
Mazda continues to insist on utilizing a dial to regulate its infotainment system, a function I’ll by no means get behind. That is very true for making small changes like altering radio stations, which may take far too many steps. At the least Mazda now helps you to use the touchscreen for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, so that you solely have to make use of the dial for the components of the system which can be designed for it.
Sure, you should utilize it as a contact display screen with the Mazda interface once you’re parked. No, that doesn’t assist.
The HVAC controls are all actual buttons, which is one huge benefit for Mazda over lots of its opponents. You don’t must hunt by menus to regulate airflow, which is a pleasing deal with lately.
Massive Cabin Loses Small Cargo Area
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The whole lot else is customary CX-50, and which means numerous area. The CX-50 is wider than the CX-5, and so it presents extra elbow room for everybody in addition to extra space for splayed knees for the driving force. Headroom can be beneficiant.
The Hybrid does lose some cargo area, but it surely’s miniscule. Down from 31.4 cubic ft to 29.2 due to a barely larger load ground. Distant rear seat releases behind the cargo bay assist once you’re loading the CX-50, saving some journeys strolling across the automobile.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Pricing
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Mazda is skipping its least expensive grades with the brand new hybrid CX-50. It begins on the $33,970 most popular grade with heated entrance seats, energy hatch, wi-fi cellphone charging, and most of Mazda’s superior driver assists.
CX-50 Hybrid Premium, $37,400, provides black trim and black or crimson leather-based seating, panoramic roof, and Bose audio. It additionally provides stop-and-go site visitors operate to the radar cruise system, pace restrict help, and site visitors signal recognition.
Lastly, on the high of the checklist is the $40,050 Premium Plus trim. It has 19-inch wheels and glossy trim outdoors. It additionally comes with an influence passenger seat, painted metallic inside trim, ventilated entrance seats, and a full-color head-up show.
Including the hybrid system will set you again an additional $2,320-3,400, relying on the trim. How lengthy that can take to pay again in gasoline relies upon vastly on the place you reside, as fuel costs throughout the nation are massively totally different. However when you’re the usual 2.5L 4, then this may not be all about saving fuel. It may simply as simply be a few smoother, quieter driving expertise.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Assessment: Conclusion
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When company audio system and executives throw round buzzwords like synergy, the Mazda CX-50 is what they’re making an attempt to explain. The CX-50 hybrid leverages a critical worth add from the rockstar Toyota hybrid system to present the corporate a seat on the desk within the inexperienced economic system and maximize its personal core values.
What I’m making an attempt to say is that the CX-50 provides the perfect fuel-sipping system round to what was already the perfect cabin and among the best drives within the phase. Should you’re OK with the infotainment dial and the hefty steering, that is one heck of a compact crossover for drivers who wish to have enjoyable on the mountain and on the paved mountain street that will get you there.