2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid First Drive Review: This Is What’s Been Missing

One thing has been lacking from the Mazda lineup: a hybrid. Certain, the Japanese automaker launched plug-in hybrids with the CX-90 and CX-70, however PHEVs characterize solely a fraction of the US automobile market. What Mazda wants is a daily hybrid. It might be a bit late, however the 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid will lastly fill a gaping gap when it arrives at sellers this November.

The CX-50 Hybrid looks as if a no brainer for Mazda. The CX-50 was solely Mazda’s third best-selling car in 2023 with 44,595 items bought, however Mazda is bullish on this new hybrid powertrain, predicting it would enhance CX-50 gross sales to over 100,000 items yearly (40,000 from hybrid). That is a daring prediction to say the least, however is there advantage? Effectively, the CX-50 has already bought 66,286 items to this point in 2024 (with two months left within the 12 months), so the addition of a hybrid may simply add as much as these lofty targets.

On the floor, this new CX-50 Hybrid looks as if a easy creation. There is a 2.5-liter engine, like many different Mazda automobiles, however this specific unit really comes from Toyota, as does the hybrid system. RAV4 Hybrid house owners will acknowledge this technique, which produces the identical 219 horsepower present in that car. This output splits the distinction between the CX-50 2.5 S and Turbo, however provides the very best gas financial system at 38 mpg common. DrivingOnRoad spent a couple of days driving the CX-50 Hybrid to seek out out if it is the savior Mazda has been lacking for years or if it is too little, too late.

What’s New For 2025?

The CX-50 lineup is not radically completely different for the 2025 mannequin 12 months, with the hybrid powertrain being probably the most vital addition. Mazda will provide the CX-50 Hybrid in Most well-liked, Premium, and Premium Plus trim ranges, straddling the center floor between the gasoline and turbo choices.

Each CX-50 now will get an enhanced model of Mazda i-ACTIVSENSE security suite, which provides rear seat alert, car exit warning, and improved good brake assist. Amazon Alexa integration can also be customary on all trims. Should you go for a CX-50 Turbo, it would include extra customary options for 2025.

Exterior And Inside: Cramming In The Toyota Bits

To accommodate Toyota’s hybrid system, Mazda wanted to make some modifications to the CX-50 look. The hybrid sits 1.3 inches larger than the usual CX-50, although floor clearance stays the identical. Mazda says the wheel arches are additionally just a little thicker on the hybrid, although it is robust to inform with out seeing them side-by-side. 17-inch wheels come customary, whereas the Premium Plus upgrades to hybrid-specific 19-inch aero wheels. Should you do not spot any of those modifications, the hybrid badges on the fenders and liftgate ought to be a useless giveaway.

The inside is generally the identical as different CX-50 fashions, however the tachometer has been changed by a Toyota-style cost/energy gauge – and the shift knob is straight out of a RAV4. All the things else, together with the ten.25-inch infotainment system, is pure Mazda. We do not love the present iteration of Mazda’s rotary knob controller, although you need to use the touchscreen for wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, however solely when stopped.

This cabin feels extra premium than a RAV4, and contains luxurious options on the Premium Plus trim, akin to heated/ventilated seats, a panoramic roof, and 12-speaker Bose audio system. Surprisingly, the Hybrid Premium Plus misses out on a couple of key options discovered within the Turbo Premium Plus. These embrace a 360-camera, heated steering wheel, and parking sensors.

Powertrain: No Skyactiv Right here

It is easy to have a look at the CX-50 Hybrid’s spec sheet and assume Mazda took one in all its 2.5-liter Skyactiv four-cylinder engines, then simply added a hybrid system. Nope. That is not the case. This four-pot is definitely taken from Toyota, as is the hybrid system. That is why it produces 219 horsepower, the identical quantity present in a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, splitting the distinction between the 187-hp 2.5 S and the 227-hp Turbo non-hybrids. It is also why that is the one CX-50 to make use of a planetary gearset (in any other case often called an eCVT) fairly than a six-speed automated transmission. We clocked the CX-50 Hybrid at 7.81 seconds to 60 mph, which is almost a second faster than the bottom automobile however eight-tenths slower than the Turbo.

Toyota’s three-motor hybrid system is among the many most effective available on the market, however cramming it right into a Mazda did not come with out some packaging challenges. Mazda claims a 40% effectivity enchancment over the two.5 S, yielding 39/37/38 mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed and over 100 miles extra on a tank of gasoline. The RAV4 Hybrid, which was designed with this powertrain, barely outperforms the CX-50 at 41/38/39.

Driving Impressions: Two Worlds Collide

Anybody who has ever pushed the gas-only CX-50 ought to really feel proper at dwelling within the hybrid; it simply strikes alongside a bit in a different way. The Toyota hybrid system would not use a transmission with gears, that means the acceleration is uninterrupted, but it surely sounds very completely different from different Mazda automobiles. This may take some getting used to for conventional Mazda house owners, but it surely looks as if the corporate did a pleasant job insulating the engine noise from intruding into the cabin. The CX-50 Hybrid feels noticeably quieter than the RAV4 Hybrid, each when it comes to engine and street noise. Even the hybrid “hum” at low speeds is much less detectable.

Different components of the driving expertise stay typical Mazda. The steering is properly weighted and delivers confidence, and the dealing with is fairly athletic regardless of an absence of grip from the tires. In comparison with the RAV4, the CX-50’s journey is noticeably firmer, however not sufficient to disturb occupants or wreck its each day performance. The CX-50 is way from the sportiest Mazda product, however borrowing a Toyota powertrain hasn’t ruined what makes it interesting, it has solely enhanced the expertise by making it smoother and extra environment friendly.

Pricing & Verdict: Borrowing Finished Proper

Pricing for the 2025 CX-50 Hybrid Most well-liked begins at $33,970, which is a $2,230 premium over the non-hybrid equal. We predict it is effectively definitely worth the value for a ten mpg and 32 horsepower bump. The Hybrid Premium provides roof rails, black exhaust, an influence passenger seat, two-position reminiscence, auto-dimming rearview mirror, site visitors signal recognition, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, and panoramic roof for an additional $3,430. On the high of the lineup, the Hybrid Premium Plus prices $40,050 however you get options like 19-inch wheels, ventilated entrance seats, and energy mirrors customary.

Turbo non-hybrid fashions are naturally dearer – they usually provide the Meridian trim which you do not get on the hybrid – however you lose out on effectivity. Mazda stays satisfied that this new hybrid will enhance CX-50 gross sales, and after experiencing it, we could not agree extra. The Turbo could also be extra thrilling to drive, however the CX-50 Hybrid will simply turn out to be one of the best all-around model of this automobile, and we suggest it strongly.