2025 Mazda CX-50 Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 could be considered one of the more attractive choices in the compact SUV class. It takes a lot of the CX-5's styling elements but enhances them with more distinct fender flares and a wider grille. These give the CX-50 a more athletic and sporty stance while keeping the subtly elegant presence.

The new car’s interior features a traditional layout instead of the high-tech cockpits found in some competitors. The horizontal dashboard and the rest of the cabin are covered in classier materials than rivals, with plenty of soft-touch materials where you're likely to touch and sturdy plastics elsewhere. Distinct stitching adds a fashionable flair, and red leather upholstery (exclusive to the hybrid model) gives the interior some added life.

Running right down the middle of the seats is a decorative stripe for some visual interest, but its placement can look a bit odd to some. It can also be felt through clothing and in an awkward place in the seat of your pants. It was described by a passenger as feeling like thong undergarments, though perhaps not in a bad way. Rather, it just feels a bit weird.

Otherwise, the 2025 Mazda CX-50 finds a place above other compact SUVs and leans more toward the entry-level automotive luxury class, both in terms of design and interior quality.

The new CX-50 Hybrid SUV debuts a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that pairs with three electric motors, delivering 219 horsepower, 163 lb-ft of torque, and all-wheel drive (AWD), although it’s not really designed for serious off-road use. While the hybrid version is new, the powertrain is not. It's the same engine and hybrid system found in the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, which we consider a smart move, since Toyota has much more experience in this area. Among the CX-50 lineup, this hybrid fills the gap between the 187hp base engine and the 256hp Turbo models.

Acceleration feels similar to the RAV4 Hybrid, and we expect it will reach 60 mph somewhere between 7.5 and 8 seconds, the same as the Toyota counterpart. That's marginally slower than the CX-50 Turbo and should easily satisfy most shoppers. Throttle response is relatively quick, aided by the immediate power from the electric motors. Mazda’s new electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (e-CVT) transmits the power and is designed to replicate the feel of a conventional automatic transmission.

The driving experience is where the CX-50 distinguishes itself from the rest of the class, with a sportier suspension tuning that allows for more engaging handling. Body roll is kept in check when cornering, and there's no sign of residual bounces from the driver’s seat. Even if you don't consider driving dynamics a priority, drivers will notice that the CX-50 feels more agile and confidence-inspiring if you need to take evasive maneuvers.

The sportier handling does result in a firmer ride quality, though. You'll feel more bumps in the road than you might in a competitor, but it's in no way harsh or intrusive. The CX-50 still rides smoothly enough to please the majority of passengers, and the cabin remains pleasantly quiet on the highway.

While the CX-50 is one of the more enjoyable SUVs to drive in its class, it comes up short against the competition when in regard to practicality and space. There's ample room in the front seats and the rear seats can accommodate average-sized adults, but the Honda CR-V Hybrid and Sportage Hybrid offer more headroom and legroom for taller and larger passengers.

Personal storage is also adequate, with a moderately sized armrest bin, cupholders, and door pockets, but again, rivals offer more and larger places to keep your personal items. There's an even bigger drawback when it comes to cargo. The CX-50 can hold as much as 29.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats. That's 2.2 cubic feet less than the non-hybrid CX-50 and significantly less than the class average. The CR-V Hybrid beats them both with 39.9 cubic feet, as does the Kia Sportage at 39.5 cubic feet.

The space itself is more usable than those figures suggest, and it's likely that the CX-50 can still handle your day-to-day needs. Helping matters is a standard power liftgate and a large storage bin under the cargo floor. Remote rear seatback releases and hooks for shopping bags also add to the convenience.

On the surface, the CX-50 may seem to be a little behind the times in regard to technology, but in practice, it may be just right for some. The 10.25-inch horizontal infotainment system is mounted atop the dashboard, right in the driver's sightline and to the right of the steering wheel to reduce distraction. Unlike most systems, you control it with a dial that is mounted on the center console, rather than the typical touchscreen. There is touchscreen functionality, but it only works with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

The dial controller is a throwback to the early days of infotainment when BMW, Audi, and Mercedes all had them. Some users prefer this setup because you don't have to pay as close attention as you would if you were trying to tap a small on-screen button. Instead, with each dial click, a different button is highlighted, and you only need to tap the dial to select it.

All CX-50 models come standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but you'll have to upgrade to at least the Premium trim to get a wireless charging pad to pair with it. Base trims come with a basic eight-speaker audio system and a 12-speaker Bose premium system is standard on the Premium trim.

In crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid earned five-out-of-five stars in all evaluations except for rollover protection, where it received four stars. As of this writing, results are not yet available from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but the non-hybrid 2024 model was awarded the Institute's highest score of "Good" in all tests. It also received a Top Safety Pick+ rating, the Institute's highest honor.

All CX-50 models come with driver assistance features including frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Secondary features include a rear passenger reminder, driver attention monitor, and safe exit alerts. In our time with the CX-50 Hybrid, all systems functioned as designed with no false alarms. The adaptive cruise control is also notable for its smooth acceleration and stops.

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid has a starting MSRP of $35,390 (including the $1,420 destination fee) for the base Preferred trim. The range-topping Premium Plus trim rings in at $41,470. These prices are between $2,000 and $2,500 more than corresponding non-Hybrid CX-50s, but the EPA estimates the Hybrid will return fuel economy of 38 mpg in combined city and highway miles, compared to the standard engine's 28 mpg.

With gas arbitrarily set at $4 a gallon and allowing for 15,000 miles driven per year, you'll save $620 in fuel with the Hybrid. That means it should take about four years to make back the Hybrid price premium, making it a smart choice for most shoppers.

Compared to other hybrids in the class, the CX-50 is right up there with the best. The Honda CR-V Hybrid costs a thousand or two more than the Mazda and is estimated at 37 mpg. There is a front-drive model that should return 40 mpg, though. The Kia Sportage Hybrid is rated at 38 mpg for the AWD model and 43 mpg for the front-drive. Not surprisingly, the RAV4 Hybrid is almost identical to the CX-50, at 39 mpg.

What isn't figured into the price is the CX-50's performance. Along with the rest of the Mazda fleet, it's noticeably more fun to drive and engaging than anything in the class. If that's a priority for you, the choice is simple. If you're like most shoppers looking for a compact SUV, space and practicality are more important. If that's your case, you'd be better served by the Honda CR-V, the Kia Sportage, or the Hyundai Tucson.