The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid reminds me that I am more of a driving enthusiast than a car enthusiast. Maybe it was the years in high school I spent in Chevy Express vans delivering medical equipment for a local pharmacy, but any car can be a hoot if you try hard enough.
As a devout evangelist of the slow-car-fast philosophy, the CX-50 Hybrid fits that bill. It drives well, with the precise and responsive steering you expect from the brand, alongside a balanced chassis. However, the hybrid setup gets in the way of a fully enjoyable driving experience.
| Quick Specs | 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus |
| Engine | 2.5-Liter Four-Cylinder Hybrid |
| Output | 219 Horsepower / 163 Pound-Feet |
| Efficiency | 37 City / 39 Highway / 38 Combined |
| Base Price / As Tested | $35,390 / $42,065 |
The hybrid system comes from Toyota, and it delivers what's promised: Better fuel economy, even if my week of mostly stop-and-go city driving doesn’t return the advertised miles per gallon. Mazda promises 39-mpg city, 37 highway, and 38 combined on the sticker, and less enthusiastic drivers should achieve numbers closer to those.
The 2.5-liter four-cylinder and electric motors make a combined 219 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque, which isn’t a ton. The transition from electric to combustion power is audibly clunky when pulling away in EV Mode. And the ongoing droning means there’s no hiding the fact that the CX-50 hybrid doesn’t have a conventional geared transmission.
But Mazda makes up for those issues elsewhere. Even with just 219 hp, the CX-50 Hybrid doesn’t feel annoyingly slow thanks to its tight chassis tuning, which allows you to maximize all the available performance, even just cruising around town. The suspension is firm without ever being too harsh or uncomfortable, which adds some fun to an otherwise button-downed family crossover. Even the steering wheel itself is great; the slim rim doesn't tire my smaller hands, even though the steering is a tad heavy.
Pros: Firm Suspension, Great Steering, Improved Fuel Efficiency
The CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus tested here costs $42,065 and comes with an impressive list of standard equipment, like a Bose 12-speaker sound system, a panoramic moonroof, rain-sensing wipers, heated front seats, and a suite of safety features. The Premium Plus package adds 19-inch wheels, ventilated front seats, black trim inserts, power-folding side mirrors, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
Mazda didn't pack the interior with screens or other techno-gimmicks, which might be a detriment to some, considering what other crossovers offer. Still, the CX-50 retains a driver-focused design without the frills that get in the way of the task at hand—driving. It’s a nice departure from the new norm.
Mazda makes up for the lack of software with a nicely appointed cabin featuring leather on the dash and a clean, modern design throughout the rest of the interior. The one has red seats, red armrests, and red accent stitching that help elevate the space.
Mazda's infotainment system is a simple affair, with a sparse UI and few customization options. It’s clunky to navigate, but it does have wireless Apple CarPlay, which connects every time without issue. I remain a fan of Mazda's rotary dial and infotainment controls in the center console. It’s intuitive, and the lack of infinite scroll makes building muscle memory easy.
Cons: Clunky Powertrain, Finicky UI, Simple Software Features
The quick-launch buttons surrounding the dial also make accessing CarPlay's most essential functions, like navigation and media, incredibly easy without ever having to take your eyes off the road.
Even if you do want to use your fingers, reaching for the screen at least pulls you toward the windshield. That's better than having to look down at the dashboard every time you want to see the map. You still have to look away from the road to tap around the screen, but your eyes don't veer far.
The Mazda CX-50 Hybrid is stripped to the essentials, offering things most buyers want and lacking the frills that prioritize technology over the thrill of driving. Mazda's pursuit of better fuel economy is nice for those who care about those things, but the clunky hybrid powertrain hinders the CX-50's best attributes.
Competitors
Mazda CX-50
