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Mazda CX-50 Hybrid cribs the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid’s powertrain
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CX-50 Hybrid lives with compromised packaging
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2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid prices $35,390; undercuts Honda CR-V Hybrid
The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid is what occurs while you take the soul of an unexciting Toyota and shove it into an already mildly compromised Mazda.
Take into account us dissatisfied.
The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid gained’t set an fanatic’s coronary heart aflame or actually increase anybody’s pulse. And but it’s most likely the mannequin within the Mazda lineup that makes probably the most sensible value-focused sense. With a extra fuel-efficient powertrain the CX-50 Hybrid will ship higher gasoline economic system than the remainder of the lineup with sufficient energy on faucet for day-to-day driving. However the packaging—particularly the seating association—stays as flawed as it’s within the non-hybrid CX-50, and the powertrain itself provides surprising refinement points.
Listed here are the professionals and cons of the 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid after spending every week shuttling round city after which including in a short weekend highway journey with the household.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid
Professional: The hybrid is probably the most environment friendly 2025 Mazda CX-50 mannequin
Actually that’s the purpose, proper? The Toyota-sourced powertrain straight out of the RAV4 Hybrid pairs a 2.5-liter inline-4 with a planetary torque-split hybrid system that includes two electrical motors, plus an extra 54-hp motor on the rear wheels. It has a 1.59-kwh nickel-metal-hydride battery pack, and the system makes a mixed 219 hp and 163 lb-ft of torque. EPA rankings verify in at 39 mpg metropolis, 37 freeway, and 38 mixed. That’s considerably higher than the CX-50’s 25/31/28 rankings, and particularly the 23/29/25 turbo mannequin’s rankings. My real-world mileage fell in need of the rankings at a trip-computer-indicated 34.0 mpg over the course of 190 miles of blended suburban driving. Then over the course of about 120 miles of freeway driving at over 70 mph the CX-50 Hybrid averaged 31.2 mpg.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid
Con: Mazda CX-50 Hybrid powertrain is much less refined than Toyota RAV4
At idle there’s an on- and off-again quiver that comes and goes via the steering column, steering wheel, and even entrance seat. That’s simply whereas sitting nonetheless. Whereas underway, no matter velocity, acceleration with the accelerator about three-quarters of the way in which to the ground would produce driveline lash that felt like a vibration, nearly like a lockup situation with one thing not meshing appropriately, which was felt all through your complete automobile. These points had been constant all through the week and issues I’ve by no means skilled in a Toyota RAV4.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid
Professional: Mazda CX-50 Hybrid is a sleeper
Nobody’s going to know this CX-50 is a hybrid until they discover the small, discreet Hybrid badge on the entrance fender or rear tailgate. Or they’re some form of bizarre Mazda knowledgeable and know which fashions get which wheel designs. Nothing about this screams “I purchased the environment friendly one.” Sort of good.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid
2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid
Con: CX-50 Hybrid compromises compromised packaging
The CX-50 already has worse rear-seat packaging than its CX-5 sibling, and the Hybrid mannequin makes issues (barely) worse. The second-row stadium seating association that locations rear-seat occupants wanting over these up entrance is modified for hybrid obligation. You now sit nearer to the ground, however greater from the bottom as a result of the battery pack is beneath the rear seat. This ends in much less leg room than the non-hybrid, however the rear seat of the CX-50’s already much less comfy as a result of seat backside place than the CX-5, so what’s a bit of extra compromise within the identify of gasoline economic system, proper?
I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out the actual fact the entrance seats sit on brackets to position them greater—resulting in a booster-seat impression that a number of editors in our editorial workforce have discovered unnatural for the remainder of the bundle. As soon as inside this setup is livable, however each my father and buddy struggled to contort their torsos and backs to slip into the entrance passenger seat with out hitting their heads. Grunts and groans ensued.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid
Professional: CX-50 Hybrid delivers premium feel and appear
Identical to the CX-5 and different Mazdas, the CX-50 Hybrid punches above its rivals with soft-touch supplies all through the cabin, good stitching on the dashboard, distinction piping on the seats, and knurled buttons for local weather and audio features. That is nicer than any Toyota RAV4, and it actually beats a Kia Sportage inside.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid
Con: The CX-50 Hybrid is loud
Hybrids are alleged to be quiet. Round city the CX-50’s high-quality so long as the throttle isn’t matted to the ground. The gasoline engine is stored to a minimal ruckus within the background. However on the freeway there’s what can solely be described as a quite astonishing quantity of wind noise coming off each the aspect mirrors and A-pillar space. Above 55 mph the CX-50 Hybrid is downright loud inside.
The 2025 CX-50 Hybrid prices a cheap $35,390 together with a $1,420 vacation spot cost. My Premium Plus trim mannequin price $41,920 and added niceties equivalent to a head-up show, 19-inch alloy wheels, Bose audio system, and ventilated entrance seats. Mazda undercut a loaded Honda CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring mannequin by $1,025 with the CX-50 Hybrid I drove, however the CX-50’s compromised packaging carries over.
The CX-50 Hybrid provides Mazda patrons a hybrid within the section, but it surely solely provides us pause—till, maybe, Mazda’s upcoming in-house developed hybrid system for the next-gen CX-5.
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2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus
Base value: $35,390 together with $1,420 vacation spot cost
Worth as examined: $41,920
Powertrain: 219-hp hybrid system, all-wheel drive
EPA gasoline economic system: 39/37/38 mpg
The hits: Sleeper hybrid standing, sharp design, premium supplies, undercuts CR-V Hybrid pricing, greatest gasoline economic system of any CX-50
The misses: Powertrain refinement points, compromised seating, loud inside
