Within the automotive enterprise, it pays to have associates. Mazda, for instance, is nice associates with Toyota, and that relationship is paying off in spades. Seems, Toyota is associates with a number of automotive corporations. Japan’s greatest carmaker owns mini-car maker Daihatsu outright, has a 20-percent stake in Subaru, and holds 5 p.c of Mazda. And whilst you might not hear an excessive amount of about all of the handshakes, there’s truly so much occurring there.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus
Background
For instance: Accomplished in 2021, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing in Huntsville, Alabama, produces autos for—predictably—Mazda and Toyota. And whereas Toyota has a lot of different North American meeting amenities, that is Mazda’s solely manufacturing unit within the Americas.
The ability churns out the well-reviewed Mazda CX-50 small crossover, and the Toyota Corolla Cross, additionally a small crossover. As a result of Mazda isn’t a big firm by absolute automotive requirements, sharing a manufacturing unit with good friend Toyota allowed the carmaker to attain the size essential to function a viable abroad automotive manufacturing unit. It pays to have associates.
However the Mazda/Toyota relationship goes deeper. Like a lot of different carmakers, Mazda not too long ago realized that the highway to full electrification isn’t as easy as initially thought. Many U.S.-market automotive manufacturers had deliberate to easily change to producing electrical autos in some unspecified time in the future within the subsequent 5 to 10 years. The issue is, shoppers aren’t embracing EVs on the hoped-for price, however do appear to wish to spend much less on gasoline.
Hybrids
Now, that is nice information for Toyota, the globe’s most prolific and proficient hybrid maker, however fairly dangerous information for many different carbuilders. Common Motors, for instance, has no hybrid fashions out there on the market within the U.S. Likewise, Nissan’s in style Rogue compact crossover has seen a major gross sales decline of late, a lot of which has been attributed to the lineup’s lack of a hybrid mannequin.
Mazda, too, has been working with out a hybrid mannequin, till slightly not too long ago. Plug-in-hybrid variants of the maker’s in style CX-70 and CX-90 are simply now coming on-line. However, maybe extra importantly, due to Toyota—once more, it pays to have associates—the model’s CX-50 is now supplied with a hybrid drivetrain.
Engines
Right here’s the factor, Toyota already builds a hybrid model of the Corolla Cross proper alongside the CX-50 meeting line, so…a deal was struck to produce Mazda with an engine just like the one Toyota was already putting in within the Corolla Cross. Enter the CX-50 Hybrid.
New for 2025, the CX-50 Hybrid contains a 2.5-liter engine and three electrical motors good for a mixed 219 horsepower. The CX-50 Hybrid comes solely with a CVT automated transmission and AWD. The hybrid Mazda is EPA rated at a mixed 37 mpg, properly above the usual CX-50’s 28 mpg ranking, and the turbo’s 25.
Costs and Trim Ranges
The CX-50 Hybrid slots in worth between the usual CX-50s (beginning at $31,720), and the turbocharged fashions, which cap out at $44,720.
For 2025, the CX-50 Hybrid is obtainable in Most well-liked ($35,390), Premium ($38,820), and Premium Plus ($41,470) trim ranges.
Client Information not too long ago spent every week behind the wheel of a Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus in Machine Grey Metallic. Our early-production mannequin didn’t include a Monroney label; nevertheless, we estimate that our check car got here in near the $41,470 base worth.
Except the drivetrain, the CX-50 Hybrid appears to be like and feels very very similar to another CX-50, and that’s a great factor. The cabin is elegant and properly screwed collectively, and exudes a usually upscale vibe. The infotainment display screen is mounted dashtop, pill model. The display screen isn’t big, however is obvious and straightforward to learn. The CX-50, like most Mazda’s makes use of the model’s rotary-knob-style controller, which is a love-it or hate-it proposition for the Client Information employees. This editor is a fan, as, as soon as acclimated, a person can execute simplest duties with out wanting down. The system is definitely fairly easy to make use of as soon as the driving force is acquainted with it.
There’s loads of room up entrance, even for big folks, and the rear seat is sort of as accommodating. Coming into and exiting the ’50 is simple sufficient, thanks for a low step-in top and huge door openings.
On the highway, Mazda turbo followers are more likely to be a bit dissatisfied. The hybrid drivetrain doesn’t supply the top-end merging and passing energy that the CX-50 Turbo does, nevertheless, the hybrid powertrain does produce a helpful quantity of low-end torque, which serves properly in stop-and-go driving. Total, the hybrid drivetrain comfy out performs base CX-50 fashions, however doesn’t match turbocharged variations in general efficiency.
All that mentioned, the Toyota-supplied hybrid drivetrain is as easy and quiet as any Mazda setup. We particularly recognize the slick engine cease/begin system, powertrain quietness, and easy energy supply. If Mazda was going to borrow a drivetrain from one other carmaker, this was a great one to select.
The Mazda does, nevertheless, share the model’s usually sporty dealing with traits, and is enjoyable to hustle round corners or round freeway onramps. For no matter purpose, the CX-50 Hybrid did appear to trip extra firmly than different CX-50 fashions we’ve pushed. We discovered general trip high quality to be superb, however would-be consumers are cautioned to be aware of the trip throughout a check drive. We like issues a bit on the sporty facet, chances are you’ll not. For what it’s price, cabin quietness is nice for the category, and the Premium Plus’s customary audio system is superb.
In Client Information testing, our check CX-50 returned a formidable 39 mpg, bettering the EPA estimate in comparatively routine suburban driving.
Worth
In case you wanted to pair one maker’s automotive with one other’s drivetrain, the CX-50 packed filled with Toyota hybrid goodness is a fairly good approach to go. We’re glad to see considered one of Mazda’s greatest crossovers benefit from the effectivity advantages of a confirmed hybrid system, whereas remaining the stylish and sharp-handling crossover we recognize a lot. And none of this could have occurred if Mazda and Toyota weren’t so tight. It’s good to have associates.
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2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus Footage
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