2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid buyer's guide, pricing, and specs
The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid could be the ideal SUV for a small family who wants something that's both affordable and relatively practical. That said, it's not the perfect solution for either category.
The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid is the first hybrid version of the CX-50, one of Mazda’s smaller offerings in their crossover lineup. In terms of price, it sits somewhere in the lower to mid-range of its class, with an MSRP that starts just below $34,000 for the basic trim and peaks just north of $40,000 if you want all of the bells and whistles. Mazda
Three trim levels offering ample customization
CX-50 Hybrid Preferred
This is the basic trim, and it starts at $33,970. It comes with a good range of standard features, including heated front seats and a power liftgate.
CX-50 Hybrid Premium
The “Premium” trim starts at $37,400 and adds a few high-end upgrades compared to the standard model. These include leather seats, a Bose speaker system, a moonroof, and a host of driver assistance tech, like radar-guided cruise control with stop/start.
CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus
Starting at $40,050 is the CX-50 Hybrid’s top trim. With the “Premium Plus,” you’ll get the full array of Mazda’s driver assistance tech, including blind spot monitoring. The interior goes all out with several luxury touches, like a full-color driver display. The Premium Plus package also sits on 19-inch wheels, as opposed to the 17-inch wheels you’ll find on the two lesser trims.
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The Mazda CX-50 Hybrid borrows from the RAV4
There’s only one engine option with the CX-50 Hybrid, and it’s the same powertrain you’ll find in the Toyota RAV4. It has three motors, standard AWD, and enough battery capacity to extend the range by up to 100 miles.
The SUV boasts 219 horsepower and 163 lb-ft of torque when the motors and engine are combined. In terms of fuel economy, the EPA estimate comes in at around 38 MPG, which makes it one of the most efficient vehicles on the market at the moment. In terms of performance, it’s designed to sit somewhere between the standard and Turbo models of the ICE CX-50. Mazda
The CX-50 Hybrid can tow, just not very much
If you want to attach a towbar to your CX-50 Hybrid, you’ll be able to haul up to 1,500 pounds. You'll also get a near-perfect 55:45 weight distribution thanks to the placement of the vehicle’s batteries and motors, which should offset the feeling of the extra weight and improve on what was already a very agile vehicle.
Technology is not the CX-50 Hybrid's specialty
Technology is one area where the CX-50 Hybrid lags behind the competition. The main screen is incredibly small, and if you want to use the touchscreen function with something like Android Auto, you'll need to navigate through several convoluted menus to enable it. The alternative involves using a selection wheel on the center console, which is handy in some circumstances but an annoyance in most others.
It's unfortunate since the Bose audio system in the CX-50 Hybrid is excellent, and theoretically, a software update could greatly enhance it. Other technological features include keyless entry, which, while common these days, remains highly convenient.
All three trims come with Amazon Alexa built-in and four USB-C ports dotted throughout the interior. Mazda
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The interior is where the CX-50 Hybrid excels
Interior, comfort, and cargo are three areas where the CX-50 Hybrid may just set itself apart from the competition. Expect a lot of high-quality leather, especially on the better trims, along with very comfortable seating. Heated front seats come as standard, with ventilated front seats present on the top trim.
The interior feels spacious, and those traveling in the second row are likely to be happy with the legroom. There’s also a very generous amount of trunk space, but it's not a massive improvement over what some three-row, mid-sized SUVs offer when the third row is folded down.
Mazda did not skimp on safety and driver assistance features
The CX-50 Hybrid comes with a fair number of standard safety and driver assistance features, including rear seat reminders, collision mitigation, and nighttime pedestrian protection. The features really begin stacking up as you ascend through the trims. Mazda
The Premium package adds Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop and Go, while the Premium Plus trim builds on that with blind spot monitoring, among other features.
The crossover segment is by no means sparsely populated
There is a lot of competition in this vehicle class and at this price point. The obvious comparison is the RAV4, which shares a powertrain with the CX-50 but gets slightly better MPG, according to the EPA.
Mazda's interior may be nicer than models offered by Toyota, Subaru, and Mitsubishi, but we’re judging that on the top trim. When you go north of $40,000, the CX-50 Hybrid starts running into the likes of the Alfa Romeo Tonale, and things start to balance out in terms of comfort features.
Final thoughts
You obviously won't be street racing in a CX-50 Hybrid, but it is an affordable, economical, and well-finished crossover that would be ideal for a small family or anyone who wants something safe and easy to handle.
The infotainment side of things is a big letdown, but it's hopefully something that Mazda will update in the near future. Overlooking that, though, the CX-50 Hybrid is a very strong contender in one of the most competitive automotive segments, with plenty of features to make it a reasonable choice over others.
