This stylish hybrid SUV presents an appealing alternative to the popular RAV4 Hybrid, offering strong value without compromising on design or capability. It stands out with its upscale, rugged styling and a well-appointed interior that feels more premium than many in its segment.
Inside, it offers a quiet, refined cabin packed with intuitive tech features and advanced driver assists. The ride quality is composed and comfortable, whether you’re navigating city streets or heading off the beaten path. Under the hood, the hybrid powertrain delivers excellent fuel economy and smooth acceleration, while standard all-wheel drive adds confidence in all conditions.
For buyers seeking a fuel-efficient SUV with a bit more style and sophistication, this hybrid checks all the right boxes. It proves you don’t have to stick with the obvious choices to get great value, capability, and comfort in one well-rounded package.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including TopSpeed and the EPA.
Mazda’s CX-50 Hybrid Offers RAV4 Hybrid Performance In a More Premium Package
For those that don’t know, the hybrid powertrain that motivates the CX-50 Hybrid is the exact same powertrain that can be found in Toyota’s RAV4. For around the same price as the RAV4 Hybrid, you can instead opt for asleeker and more upscale experiencein Mazda’s compact SUV.
$33,970
$37,400
Premium Plus
$40,050
The latest RAV4 Hybrid starts at $32,600, meaning that Mazda CX-50 Hybrid isn’t that much more expensive. In the grand scheme of things, both are priced at around the middle of the segment, with there being some more affordable and more expensive options. The Mazda, however, benefits from the refined and efficient powertrain it gets from Toyota while also delivering on its promise of entry-level luxury.
The hybrid version of the CX-50 is totally new for 2025, and it comes in three distinct trim levels. While all will feel more upscale than most other options in this segment, we’d spring for the Premium. It finds the best balance between price and features. Over the base model, it gets upgraded driver assists, a panoramic sunroof, a better sound system, and some unique aesthetic bits.
Warranties and Maintenance
This is one area where Mazda falls behind its competition. Both the bumper-to-bumper coverage on offer as well as the powertrain coverage are lower than what you can find on most rivals. Kia and Hyundai, in particular, lead the charge with ten-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranties. Coverage for the hybrid components is pretty impressive, though.
The 2025 CX-50 Hybrid and RAV4 Hybrid Share the Same Efficient Powertrain
Mazda is generally known for delivering lithe and athletic vehicles, from the small and nimble Mazda 3 to the large yet controlled CX-90. The CX-50 Hybrid takes on the RAV4’s hybrid powertrain, though. While this means some sacrifices are made in the performance department, it is peppy and exceptionally efficient.
219 HP
163 LB-FT
0-60 MPH
Top Speed
117 MPH
Under the hood of the CX-50 Hybrid, you will find a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. This stoic little engine works in conjunction with three electric motors to deliver a total of 219 horsepower. One of the electric motors is mounted to the rear axle, meaning that all-wheel drive is standard kit. Much to the dismay of driving enthusiasts, the hybrid CX-50 does come with a continuously variable transmission, which does dampen the fun a bit.
Compared to the RAV4, the CX-50 is the more enjoyable car to drive. Thanks to a fantastically tuned chassis, it feels more athletic than you’d expect based on its size. It is quicker than the standard non-hybrid CX-50 up to 60 miles per hour as well, though the turbocharged model is still king of performance. Obviously, the heavier hybrid setup as well as the more efficiency-oriented CVT do both make the hybrid model slightly less engaging than the non-hybrid model.
39 MPG
37 MPG
38 MPG
25 MPG
31 MPG
28 MPG
23 MPG
29 MPG
The CX-50 Hybrid is much more efficient than its non-hybrid counterpart, achieving an additional ten miles per gallon combined. While highway efficiency is definitely improved over the standard model, it is the CX-50 Hybrid’s efficiency in the city that makes it so impressive.
The efficiency ratings achieved by the CX-50 Hybrid arenot far behind the RAV4 Hybrid, with Toyota’s crossover achieving 39 miles per gallon combined. There are very few crossovers out there that manage the same level of efficiency as either of these vehicles, with both guaranteed to save you money in the long run.
Safety and Driver Assist Features
You may think that swapping off of a Toyota means that you’ll make sacrifices when it comes to safety and driver assist equipment. However, Mazda proves thattheir offerings are just as good. The CX-50 Hybrid comes with a plethora of advanced features, from collision detection and prevention systems to advanced surround cameras and adaptive cruise control.
While the hybrid model in particular is yet to be comprehensively tested, the NHTSA awards the standard CX-50 five stars out of five when it comes to safety and crash testing. The IIHS has also granted the CX-50 the Top Safety Pick+ award, putting it among the safest new vehicles on the road.
Mazda Offers a Near-Luxury Experience In the 2025 CX-50 Hybrid
As well as being known for their athletic cars, Mazda has also crafted out their niche by delivering finely crafted cabins that come pretty close to what you may get in some luxury cars. The CX-50 Hybrid is the perfect example of this, with a spacious interior that is packed plush materials and tons of technology.
Cargo Capacity
29.2 Cubic Feet
While rear seat room may be slightly below the average for the compact SUV segment, passengers relegated to the back still shouldn’t have any complaints unless they are NBA players. Those in the front are treated even better, with plenty of room to stretch out. If you are looking for some additional headroom in the back,the CX-5 does a little better. Cargo capacity is more than reasonable, and it can be extended to 89 cubic feet if you fold the second row of seats away.
Regardless of which trim you opt for, the CX-50 feels like it punches above its weight class when it comes to the materials used. The high-end Premium Plus trim is particularly impressive, with things like black leather upholstery with contrasting stitching. There are tons of desirable features offered on even the base trim, though, including a power-adjustable driver’s seat, an electric liftgate, and heated front seats.
Infotainment and Technology
The dashboard in the CX-50 Hybrid is neatly laid out, leaning into its slightly more premium identity. Something we really appreciate is how the infotainment system is treated, with it being an accent rather than a focal point. The infotainment screen is a 10.3-inch screen that pokes out the top of the dashboard and can be controlled via touch inputs, voice commands, or a rotary dial mounted on the center console. As well as the infotainment screen, the gauge display is partly digital.
Mazda has included a ton of other tech features that make the CX-50 an attractive option in its segment. As well as the USB-C ports on offer, a wireless smartphone charging pad is standard on every model. Base models come with a pretty good eight-speaker sound system, though you are able to upgrade to a 12-speaker Bose system if you go for a higher trim. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard on every model.
