Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Review: Style and Efficiency Clash in Mazda’s New Crossover

The Mazda CX-50 has carved out a niche as a driver-focused crossover, appealing to those who appreciate sporty handling in a compact SUV. It’s a vehicle that understands the needs of enthusiasts who now require more practicality without sacrificing driving pleasure. However, in a market dominated by giants like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, the CX-50 lags in areas crucial to mainstream crossover buyers, namely cabin technology and fuel economy.

Therefore, the announcement of a Mazda CX-50 Hybrid, promising to retain the beloved driving dynamics while introducing an electrified powertrain for enhanced fuel efficiency, was met with considerable optimism. The prospect of the same agile chassis, refined suspension, and precise steering, now coupled with hybrid technology, seemed like a perfect blend.

Unfortunately, the 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid doesn’t quite live up to its promising premise. While it retains many of the qualities that make the standard CX-50 appealing, the integration of a hybrid powertrain sourced from the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid appears to compromise the very essence of what makes a Mazda a Mazda. It’s a vehicle that feels somewhat conflicted, caught between its sporty DNA and its newfound hybrid aspirations.

Is the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Confused?

The question arises: who is the target audience for this hybrid crossover? It’s not a cutting-edge technological marvel in the hybrid segment, featuring a conventional hybrid system and infotainment technology that feels dated compared to its rivals. Nor does it fully maintain its sporty crossover identity, as the hybrid powertrain seems to dilute its inherent fun-to-drive character. The CX-50 Hybrid occupies an ambiguous space, feeling more like a necessary addition to Mazda’s lineup rather than a genuinely inspired creation.

Mazda CX-50 Hybrid: The Basics

Instead of developing a proprietary hybrid system, Mazda opted to utilize technology from Toyota, specifically the RAV4 Hybrid, due to their collaborative partnership. The CX-50 is produced alongside Toyota vehicles, including the Corolla Cross Hybrid, at a shared facility in Alabama. Beyond the powertrain, the CX-50 Hybrid mirrors the standard model in almost every aspect. Visual distinctions are minimal, limited to hybrid badging and a modified instrument cluster that replaces the traditional tachometer with a hybrid system power gauge.

Visually, distinguishing the Hybrid from the standard CX-50 requires close inspection for the “Hybrid” emblems. This visual similarity is a positive aspect, as the CX-50 has been praised since its introduction as one of the most aesthetically pleasing crossovers in its class. Its low-slung, athletic stance projects a sportier image than typically associated with the segment. Signature design elements such as the robust wheel arches, low ride height, sleek window lines, and black body cladding remain, preserving its visual appeal. While new wheel designs are introduced, they maintain a similar aesthetic to other CX-50 wheel options.

The interior design philosophy remains consistent in the Hybrid model. Mazda has made minimal changes for the hybrid variant, meaning the driver-centric and sporty cabin is retained. This is both a strength and a weakness. The positive aspect is the continuation of a well-constructed, ergonomic interior that feels familiar and comfortable for drivers accustomed to performance-oriented vehicles. The downside is the carryover of the infotainment system, which feels outdated in comparison to competitors offering more advanced technology, especially at a similar price point.

As mentioned, the tachometer is replaced by hybrid-specific gauges, providing basic information about battery usage and charging. However, it lacks the detailed power flow diagrams found in rivals like the RAV4 and CR-V Hybrids. Enthusiasts interested in the intricacies of hybrid technology may find the CX-50 Hybrid’s instrumentation somewhat simplistic.

Driving Dynamics of the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid

The Toyota RAV4’s hybrid powertrain takes center stage, for better or worse, in the driving experience. It consists of a 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle, naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine coupled with three electric motors – two supporting the engine and one powering the rear axle. The combined system output of 219 horsepower and 163 lb-ft of torque makes it the least powerful CX-50 variant, and this is noticeable on the road. The vehicle feels underpowered across the speed range and throttle inputs, and the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) further exacerbates this sensation with its characteristic droning sound.

While expectations weren’t for sports car-like acceleration, the powertrain’s lack of responsiveness and unrefined nature is disappointing and detracts from the overall driving enjoyment. On a positive note, fuel economy is a strong point. During the test drive, an average of 37 mpg was achieved, closely aligning with Mazda’s claimed figures.

The standard CX-50 is recognized for its exceptional agility within the crossover segment, boasting superior steering feel and balanced handling compared to many competitors. The Hybrid version retains this dynamic prowess when navigating corners and winding roads. However, when demanding more performance by pressing the accelerator, the powertrain falls short, failing to deliver the expected responsiveness to complement the chassis’ capabilities. The agile handling feels somewhat wasted due to the lackluster powertrain performance.

Despite the powertrain shortcomings, Mazda’s suspension tuning expertise shines through in the Hybrid model. The ride quality remains as refined and comfortable as its gasoline-only counterparts. Braking performance is also commendable, offering good pedal feel and immediate bite. Visibility remains good, making it easy to maneuver the vehicle. Drivers who appreciate the driving feel of the standard CX-50 will find similarities in the Hybrid, until they require more spirited acceleration.

Highs and Lows of the CX-50 Hybrid

For driving enthusiasts, the CX-50 stands out for its steering feedback, suspension sophistication, and overall handling balance, rare qualities in the crossover class. It clearly reflects the DNA of a company known for the MX-5 Miata’s driving purity. The main gauges are also praised for their simplicity and readability, although they appear somewhat basic compared to modern digital displays. While the hybrid-specific gauge is less appealing, the standard gauges are well-designed. The seats provide a comfortable and supportive balance for both spirited driving and long journeys, a trait shared with the gasoline CX-50.

Beyond the hybrid powertrain issues, the CX-50 has other drawbacks. The infotainment screen and system are noticeably outdated. While standard wireless Apple CarPlay is a welcome feature, its usability is hampered by Mazda’s rotary scroll wheel interface. While rotary controllers were appreciated in older BMW and Audi infotainment systems designed around them, Apple CarPlay isn’t optimized for this type of control, making it less intuitive and somewhat frustrating to use in the CX-50.

Mazda CX-50 Hybrid: Features, Options, and Competition

One advantage of the Hybrid model is standard all-wheel drive. Interestingly, the standard paint options are not the typical white and black, but rather blue and black, suggesting a more unconventional approach to standard color choices.

The tested Premium Plus trim represents a significant price jump, adding approximately $7,000 to the base price. This trim level includes desirable features such as a panoramic sunroof, 19-inch wheels, a Bose 12-speaker sound system, heated leather seats, and a heated steering wheel. While the as-tested price of nearly $42,000 seems high considering the CX-50 Hybrid’s performance, the Premium Plus trim is comprehensively equipped.

The most direct competitor is the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, sharing the same powertrain and price range. The RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid, while slightly more expensive, offers a significantly more powerful and efficient plug-in hybrid system. The Honda CR-V Hybrid is also a strong contender, delivering a more refined powertrain and more contemporary technology, although it may not match the CX-50’s handling prowess.

The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is another option in this competitive segment.

Fuel Efficiency of the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid

Fuel economy is a primary motivator for choosing a hybrid, and the CX-50 Hybrid aims to deliver on this front. While official EPA figures were not yet available at the time of testing, the observed 37 mpg average is impressive and aligns closely with Mazda’s estimates of 39 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 38 mpg combined.

These figures position the CX-50 Hybrid competitively within its class, alongside hybrid versions of the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, and Ford Escape.

Value and Final Verdict on the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid’s value proposition is questionable, despite a relatively modest price increase over the standard model. While offering improved fuel efficiency, other hybrid crossovers in the same price bracket provide superior efficiency and technology. For buyers prioritizing a hybrid powertrain, there are arguably better alternatives available, including models utilizing the same powertrain.

While some buyers may seek a blend of CX-50’s driving dynamics with hybrid efficiency, the hybrid system implementation compromises the CX-50’s inherent character too significantly to be a truly compelling trade-off.