2025 Mazda CX-50 goes hybrid!
It’s rare that a car company offers two vehicles in the same class, but Mazda does just that
by offering two compact crossover SUVs, both equally good. There is the CX-5, which
has been around since 2013 and is Mazda’s best-selling vehicle. Then there is the CX-50,
which came out in 2023. The CX-50 is a more rugged and capable vehicle than the CX-5.
Either one can serve your needs well, but the newer CX-50 appeals to the outdoor
lifestyle group much like the Ford Bronco Sport and Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk.
The CX-50 is slightly larger than the CX-5, but more importantly, it is an inch higher off
the ground and has a slightly more off-road demeanor by way of its more pronounced
fenders. And with more than 8 inches of ground clearance (as well as an Off-Road drive
mode), the CX-50 offers improved off-road and towing capabilities compared to the CX-
- The base engine for the CX-50 is a 2.5-liter Skyactive four-cylinder, rated at 187 hp and
186 lb-ft of torque. Higher trim levels get treated with a more powerful version of the
same engine – a turbocharged 2.5-liter Skyactive that makes 227 horsepower and 310 lb-
ft of torque. If you want even more power, switch over to premium fuel and those
numbers rise to 256 and 320 respectively. Both engines are mated to a six-speed
automatic transmission.
For 2025, a hybrid joins the CX-50 lineup. It uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder matched to
three electric motors which produces a combined 219 horses and uses a continuously
variable automatic transmission (CVT). In keeping with its off-road image, every CX-50
is equipped with all-wheel drive.
With the addition of the hybrid drivetrain, the CX-50 now becomes available with no less
than 10 trim levels. Four of those come with the base engine (Select, Preferred, Premium,
Premium, Premium, Premium Plus), three with the hybrid system (Hybrid Preferred,
Hybrid Premium, Hybrid Premium Plus) while the upper 3 trim levels, the Turbo
Meridian, Turbo Premium and Turbo Premium Plus utilize the more powerful engine.
This week’s ride is the 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus.
The hybrid version of the CX-50 is a welcome addition to the family. It borrows its 219-
hp electrified powertrain from the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and achieves a 38-mpg
combined fuel economy rating. That beats out the 27-mpg combined for the base engine
and 25-mpg combined for the turbo engine. Ride and handling aren’t much different from
the nonhybrid model, which is great news as the handling has always been a strong CX-
50 asset. As a hybrid, the CX-50 has minimal body roll and it’s quick, responsive steering
helps make it feel as if it’s glued to the road. Some notable differences is the CX-50
Hybrid s CVT which causes some droning from the engine and doesn’t have shift paddles
like the nonhybrid does. The hybrid model is also heavier than the standard CX-50,
meaning it’s not quite as nimble in the corners, and takes about a second longer reaching
60 mph.
Inside the 5-passenger CX-50 Hybrid is an interior familiar to other Mazda vehicles. The
controls have a solid feel and are easy to use. The 10.25-inch center display isn’t a touch
screen but is controlled through a dial on the center console. In typical Mazda fashion,
the volume control is also placed on the center console. These controls do take some
getting used to, but after a short time they become second nature. The backseat offers
decent room for adults and shouldn’t offend anyone. The CX-50 Hybrid can carry 29.2
cubic feet of cargo behind the second row (about 2.2 cubic feet less than a non-hybrid
CX-50) and that increases to 56.3 cubic feet with the 60/40-split rear seats folded down.
The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid starts at $35,390 for the entry level Hybrid Preferred
model. The tester has an MSRP of $41,920.
Mazda continues to cover all bases in the compact crossover SUV market. The CX-5 is a
great SUV, while the CX-50 adds to it with some better off-road capabilities. And now,
the CX-50 Hybrid expands on that even further by getting much better fuel economy
while only making only a few sacrifices compared with the standard model.
— Christopher A. Randazzo
By The Numbers:
2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus
Base Price: $40,050.00
Price as Tested: $41,920.00
Layout: front-engine / all-wheel drive
Engine: 2.5 liter hybrid inline 4-cylinder
Transmission: CVT automatic
Horsepower: 219 hp
EPA Fuel Economy: 39 city / 37 highway mpg [Visit me at www.carsbycar.blogspot.com or email me at auto_cran@hotmail.com]
