I recently reviewed a Mazda CX-50 Hybrid in Premium Plus trim, with an as-tested value of $42,065. I was inspired by the SUV’s efficient hybrid powertrain, athletic stance and intelligently designed cabin.
The base 2025 Mazda CX-50 2. 5 S Select ICE styling starts at $30,300, while the maximum hybrid variant costs $33,970. My Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus test car made in Alabama starts at $40,050.
I was struck by 14 features that helped make the CX-50 one of the compact hybrid SUVs I’ve tested so far.
The CX-50 will be the best-looking SUV in the segment. It features the latest derivative of Mazda’s iconic Kodo design language, combining its classic curves with a more robust, boxy athletic appearance.
The CX-50 Hybrid is powered by a 2.5-liter, 176-horsepower, naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine paired with a 118-horsepower electric motor up front, a 54-horsepower unit on the rear axle, and a 1.59-kWh battery pack.
The total is 219 horses.
The engine and hybrid formula come from Toyota. It’s the exact same powertrain found under the hood of the rival RAV4 Hybrid.
Like all Mazda SUVs, the CX-50 Hybrid is popular with all-wheel drive. It is supplied with an e-AWD formula that uses an electric motor on the rear axle of a classic physical linkage.
The EPA fuel economy figures for my car are 39 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 38 mpg combined.
That’s 10mpg better in combined fuel economy than the most efficient ICE CX-50.
Compact hybrid SUVs are designed to be sensible, fuel-efficient transportation for the masses.
The CX-50 Hybrid is that, but it also brings a healthy dose of Mazda’s zoom-zoom to the party. This is the most laugh I’ve ever had driving a small hybrid SUV.
The steering felt well-weighted and offered a decent amount of feedback for a vehicle of its type. The Mazda’s suspension is a bit stiffer than most of its rivals, which helps it approach corners with great composure, but it does compromise ride comfort a tad.
The hybrid powertrain offers dynamic performance, especially in Power mode, thanks to sufficient torque from its electric motors.
As with other Toyota hybrid system programs, annoying engine noises, such as harsh acceleration, can be problematic.
The CX-50’s cabin is simply terrific. Material and build quality are top-notch, while its overall design exudes a truly premium feel.
Audio controls conveniently located on the center console are easy to operate for the driver and passengers.
My CX-50 Premium Plus test car featured beautiful red leather upholstered seats with black accent stitching.
The CX-50 comes standard with a crisp-looking 10.25-inch touchscreen.
The screen is only a touchscreen when Apple CarPlay or Android Auto are initiated. In all other instances, the system requires the use of the cumbersome rotary controller on the center console.
Fortunately, Carplay and Android Auto are standard on all trim levels.
The CX-50 Hybrid comes with a rearview camera.
In front of the driver is an advanced cockpit with a stylish heated leather-wrapped steering wheel. The CX-50’s instrument cluster features a pair of analog gauges flanking a configurable central 7-inch LCD display that’s designed to mimic a circular gauge.
My car also had an optional color head-up display.
The CX-50 Hybrid Premium and Premium Plus can be purchased with this forced panoramic sunroof.
With 37.8 inches of legroom, the CX-50 doesn’t have the most spacious rear cabin. However, the leather rear bench seat offers ample room for two adults.
Rear seat passengers have air vents and USB sockets.
The CX-50 is one of the few hybrid SUVs in this segment with a spare wheel. In many cases, the area of land historically occupied by the spare wheel is reused for batteries or left empty to save price or weight.
The spare tire shares the storage compartment with the subwoofer for the CX-50’s stellar 12-speaker Bose audio system.
Force open the tailgate and find 29. 2 cubic feet of shipping area behind the rear seats. Fold the rear seats down and shipping capacity increases to 56. 3 cubic feet
Even the base CX-50 is popular with assist technologies, such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Jump to