The Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Was (Principally) Well worth the Wait: First Drive Overview

There are such a lot of good compact crossovers on the market. Honda CR-V? A superb selection. Hyundai Tucson? One other nice possibility. Toyota RAV4? It is a best-seller for a motive. Mazda does not get as a lot love on this class, however the Japanese automaker nonetheless has two wonderful choices, the CX-5 and the CX-50.

The CX-5 has been round since 2012, but it surely received a significant redo in 2017—and it is nonetheless a terrific automobile. The CX-50 debuted for the 2023 mannequin 12 months as the new new factor with a cleaner design, higher proportions, and extra options. However Mazda took one other two years to get the hybrid to market, which begs the query: Was it definitely worth the wait?

For those who worth effectivity at first, then sure, the CX-50 Hybrid was effectively definitely worth the wait. Mazda teamed up with Toyota to borrow its 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain, which returns 37 miles per gallon within the metropolis, 39 on the freeway, and 38 mixed. It is immediately essentially the most environment friendly non-plug-in Mazda by a protracted shot; The subsequent-best CX-50 will get simply 27 mpg mixed.

A low-speed EV mode means you possibly can drive on battery energy alone at as much as 25 miles per hour, or as much as a sure accelerator-pedal threshold. It is tremendous helpful for fast jaunts round city; You’ll be able to cruise to the grocery retailer with no fuel. Simply keep mild on the pedal to maintain the engine from kicking on.

The massive draw back is that the CX-50 Hybrid does not have a ton of giddyup. It solely makes 219 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque in comparison with the two.5 Turbo mannequin it replaces, which made 227 hp and 310 lb-ft. An electrical motor on the rear supplies all-wheel drive.

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Execs: Tremendous Environment friendly, Premium Inside, Nonetheless Drives Like A Mazda

There is a fast jolt of torque off the road courtesy of these electrical motors, however energy plateaus shortly. You actually need to bury your foot deep into the throttle to get it as much as freeway speeds. And the powertrain is not all that pleased getting you there, both.

The transition between fuel and electrical energy is harsh, and at low speeds and idle, there is a coarseness coming from the engine bay. It seems like two issues are rubbing towards one another that should not be. Mix that with the ever present hybrid drone and the CX-50 is not precisely an train in refinement.

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

There may be nonetheless loads of Mazda appeal, although. The CX-50 has all the time been an excellent-driving factor, and that does not change a lot with the hybrid powertrain. It simply goes… slower. The steering is completely crisp, the chassis is properly balanced, and the trip is refined—if not a bit harsh. You will haven’t any concern flicking the CX-50 Hybrid (slowly) right into a nook and getting respectable suggestions.

This CX-50 additionally follows Mazda’s premium ethos to a tee. A high-quality stitched leather-based covers most surfaces on this Premium Plus mannequin, whereas fake aluminum accents dot the steering wheel and sprint. There may be some laborious black plastic, but it surely is not offensive—particularly for this section. And the seats are a bit stiff; possibly the leather-based wants extra time to interrupt in. However my butt and again felt sore after just some miles behind the wheel.

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Cons: Clunky Powertrain, Sluggish, Dated Infotainment

Mazda’s infotainment system might additionally use an replace. The CX-50 Hybrid has the identical 10.3-inch touchscreen discovered all through the CX-50 vary, however the graphics look dated, there are too many buried choices, and the display screen is fairly far out of attain of the motive force. Fortunately, the middle rotary controller nonetheless works higher than any touchscreen ever will—and you continue to get wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2025 CX-50 Hybrid begins at an inexpensive $35,390 with vacation spot included for the bottom Most popular mannequin. A RAV4 Hybrid with the identical powertrain continues to be cheaper, beginning at $33,120. However the Honda CR-V Hybrid is a tad pricier than the Mazda at $36,000.

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

The mid-range Premium mannequin prices $38,820, and this top-trim Premium Plus begins at $41,870. For those who do determine to splurge on the Premium Plus mannequin, it comes with principally each possibility out of the field. The one add-on on my tester was the $450 Wind Chill white paint.

Finally, the CX-50 Hybrid might be an improve for the overwhelming majority of consumers. Mazda fastened one in every of its greatest points, gas financial system, with some assist from Toyota’s hybrid system. Efficiency and refinement take a slight hit, however that’s small potatoes if you’re getting 38 mpg mixed.