2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid - Bottom Line Review

ZOOM-ZOOM TO FEWER FUMES: To the followers of Zoom Zoom motoring, Mazda new car dealerships have always been warm and cozy. The brand is respected for Kaizen incremental improvements to its products. However, the Japanese volume enthusiast automaker has not embraced admirers of revolutionary zero tailpipe emissions machines. Remember the range un-ambitious, California exclusive, MX-30 battery electric small crossover, which bombed? Offering the more environmentally sensitive new reason to flock into their showrooms, the 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid is a baby step and right step for electrification of a Rider in Steed active lifestyle SUV.

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WHAT: 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid AWD two-row compact crossover sports activity vehicle. Currently exclusive to the North American market it is a 6.4" inch stretch of the compact BP front transverse drivetrain layout platform serving the Mazda CX-30 CUV.

Power + Drivetrain: gas + battery electric hybrid 2.5L DOHC 16V DI + PI gas I-4, 10-step direct shift continuously variable transaxle, electric all-wheel drive

• 219 horsepower (net hybrid), 163 pound-feet lb-ft @ 3600 r.p.m.

WHAT (A) STYLING DIFFERENCE(S): When it launched two years ago, the CX-50 was a stunning new active lifestyle for the Mazda brand. Today, it still turns heads with the longer dashboard to front axle distance, raked windscreen, wide slim grille, bumped out Kammback sport wagon stance. A tall beltline, full graphite body cladding, with prominent corner folds, jumbo wheel arches arches filled meatier rubber on mega-sized wheels, with boosted ground clearance suggest the CX-50 Hybrid is ready for meaner streets.

• 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid cosmetic changes:
  • More pronounced dark honeycomb grille slats
  • Graphite valances replace simulated front & rear lower bash plates
  • Hybrid badging on fenders and at lower right tailgate corner
  • Round rather than beveled dual exhaust tailpipes
  • Turbine blade 19" wheels

WHY: Hybrid efficiency comes to Rider in Steed active lifestyle motoring.

WHEN: On-Sale (in the U.S.) Autumn 2024

WHERE: Mazda new vehicle dealers

WHERE MADE: Huntsville, Alabama, U.S.A.

WHERE TO: Electric rear axle motor engages during slippage, varying front/ rear traction from 100:10% to 75:25%

• Mi-Drive Trail mode can cut traction control, engage the rear electric motor, and engage Hill Descent Control when encountering muddy ravines.
• 8.1"-inches ground clearance, without undercarriage protective plates

HOW ROADWORTHY: The CX-50 Skyactiv G Turbo had already spoiled the marketplace with some fire spitting, an easily planted attitude, and frisky yet perfectly manageable reflexes. Synergy 3 Hybrid parts contribute to more subtle kickdowns and less frenetic lunges in the 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid. Still, the transplant doesn't dramatically dilute the character. Though a RAV4 Hybrid couldn't dream of matching such agility with finesse, the purpose developed Toyota schools the Mazda in efficiency. Due to sub-freezing temperatures over the course of the cycle, the tested CX-50 Hybrid failed to impress in the miles per gallon test.

HOW LIMBER:  The simpler twist beam rear suspension, retained in the 2025 CX-50 Hybrid, has been torsionally tuned to complement the relatively stiff springing. It alleviates jostle and smooths taut wheel movement trading off rare rear axle tramp. Relatively wide gumballs buy more contact patch to pick up the lateral grip.

While turn in is sharp, the helm feels artificially under-assisted to the point of static movement. In this heavier application, Mazda's G-vectoring power reduction entering sharper corners is more obvious to counter body pitch. Once past the initial mushiness, brake pedal imparts consistent pad to rotor compression at the corners, compelling the Goodyear Eagle Tourings to slow things urgently.

• Cross-winds pitch is negligible and cabin entombment considerable further enshrining the premium aspects of the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid.

HOW FAR: 31 combined miles per gallon. 536 miles highway range.

HOW BIG/ LITTLE: Genuine true to mid-size family capacity in muscularized sleek Mazda packaging.

- For Comparison's Sake 2023 Mazda CX-50:

• 110.8" wheelbase = 4.4" > Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
• 39.6"-inches Row 2 legroom = Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
• cargo capacity
• tow rating

HOW USEFUL: √ Variable height power liftgate; √ Near flat folding 60/40% split 2nd Row tilting seatbacks w/ twin cargo bay remote cable release levers; √ Mini-spare load floor cover hooked tether

Not So Useful: -1 No approach liftgate release; Loses CX-5's 40/20/40% split 2nd Row pass through folding seat back; Blind spots resulting from shorter backlight + tall beltline

HOW SAFE: IIHS 2024 Top Safety Pick Plus trophy; √ 8 airbags, √ Rear camera w/ fixed gridlines, √ Sonar audible park assist; √ Back-up external chime

Driver assist technology: i-ActiveSense Level 1.5 autonomy: √ Smart City collision avoidance braking w/ pedestrian detection; √ Blind spot, rear cross traffic warning; √ Rear side traffic braking, √ Lane departure warning with selectable vibration/ chime; √ Emergency Lane keep assist; √ Adaptive cruise control - full; √ e-parking brake auto hold; √ Auto high beam headlamps; √ Rain sensing, windshield wipers

Available (included on Premium Plus): Road sign recognition; Heads Up Display; De-icing windshield wipers; Heated wing mirrors

-1 No reverse wing mirror tilt, No surround view cameras, No Cruise & Traffic Support lane tracing

HOW PEOPLE FRIENDLY: As the pinnacle trim for the 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid , Premium Plus embraces a refined plush sporting goods interior. Two-tone leather contrast debuts here, with swaths of tucked seam simulated hides on door panels and dash top & front. Controls are the same minimal count and reach, precision action bejeweled finished pieces from the CX-30 cute-ute.

But the CX-50 Hybrid capitalizes on its spaciousness to emphasize the dash with vertical fang climate vents and tucked seam dash panel simulated hides with emphatic contrast double cross stitching. White-on-black ELD flanked center dial array instruments, set in an "old school" hooded binnacle, resist glare, feature smartly arranged basic operational read-outs, although, resist much customization.

√ Leather seats, heated front & rear, cooled front; √ 8-way driver / 6-way power seats w/ 2 driver memory settings; √ Heated leather steering wheel with spoke integrated tactile redundant controls; √ 7.1" inch TFT virtual gauge cluster (and finally a genuine coolant temperature display!) √ 1"-inch reduced clearance = Lower step in; √ Clamshell center console storage bin + aft 2nd Row vents, seat heater switches, connection ports; ♦ Panorama power moonroof

Hard dead pedal cover; Gauge cluster adopts latest M-Drive mode colorization.

-1 Gauge cluster lacks hybrid power flow or off-road power distribution graphics. Only traffic sign detected is Stop Sign

Cool Gizmo(s): √ Color Heads-Up Display includes lane array, traffic signage; √ Precision-machined center console Command infotainment dial-joystick w/ dedicated function switches

Details Done Right: √ Burgundy leather seating, featuring contrast black piping and middle cross laced seam; √ Inverse color scheme leatherette middle dash & upper door cards; √ Machined aluminum climate control dials; √ Precision cut, tactile, intuitive switchgear.

Nearly Non-Descript: -1 Non-padded center console saddle; -1 Coarse weave carpeting; -1 Horizontal steering wheel spoke switches have low contrast script, lacking tactile distinction; -1 Remote key fob non-distinctive buttons; -1 Non-carpeted cargo bay walls

HOW CONNECTED: √ Dash top 10.25" inch flat-panel LCD 80/20% split infotainment screen with Commander toggle dial control; √ Native HDD GPS voice command / guidance Navigation; √ Voice command hands-free communications; √ SMS with stored contacts photos; √ USB-C x 4, 12V x 1; √ Qi wireless charging pad just forwards of front center armrest bin.

Audibly Speaking: 425 W, 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint 2.0 audio; Linear sound mode enhances spatiality

HOW "APP" -LICABLE: √ wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa projection + capacitve touch display controls

By Subscription: √ Sirius XM (90 days trial) ; √ MazdaConnected app including remote access

• -1 No physical tuning knob for terrestrial and Sirius radio stations

HOW MUCH: $43,170 = 2023 Mazda CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus AWD price as tested (including 8 years, 100k miles hybrid components warranty)

WHAT'S MISSING: Better cold weather fuel economy; Cruising & Traffic Support assist; Power flow displays; 115V AC outlet; Heated steering & 2nd Row seats

ANY COMPETITION: Ford Escape Hybrid: servicablity; Honda CR-V Hybrid: reputation; Hyundai Tucson Hybrid: roominess; Toyota RAV4 Hybrid: efficiency

Contributing Editor: T. Paluch

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