Borrowing a hybrid system from Toyota, three new hybrid trims join the Mazda CX-50 line-up, delivering 38 MPG combined and extending driving range by over 100 miles to a single tank.

For the 2025 model year, Mazda added a Hybrid to the CX-50 line-up. Excluding the mild-hybrids in the line-up, this is the only non-plug-in-hybrid that Mazda sells. The two plug-ins are the CX-70 and CX-90 PHEVs. Adding a hybrid powertrain to the CX-50 means Mazda now offers three powertrains for its compact crossover.

Visually speaking, the CX-50 Hybrid stands out with different wheel designs, ranging from 17-19 inches and a unique front bumper.

The hybrid powertrain itself comes from Toyota. It is appropriately named the Toyota Hybrid System (THS). The THS is made up of a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine, a battery pack, three electric motors, an eCVT (continuously variable transmission), and electric AWD (no drive shaft to the rear axle).

Mazda didn’t provide any power figures, but the Hybrid powertrain probably comes close to what is offered the 2024 Toyota Venza Hybrid, which uses the same 2.5-liter Toyota Hybrid system. The Venza makes: 219 total system horsepower, while the engine on its own makes 176 HP and 163 lb.-ft of torque.

But it could come closer the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, which uses another version of the THS. It makes 245 system HP and 187 HP and 177 lb.-ft from the engine alone.

While the system is Toyota, Mazda engineers calibrated the system themselves. And adjusted things like the throttle map to align with the brand’s powertrain response philosophy.

Mazda claims the CX-50 Hybrid will deliver 38 combined MPG and more than 100 miles of additional driving range when compared to the 2.5 S trims of CX-50, which would mean well over 500 miles of range. 2024 Mazda CX-50 2.5 Fuel Economy and Driving Range

Of the three powertrains offered in the CX-50, the hybrid falls in between the base 2.5-liter and top-of-the-line turbocharged 2.5-liter equipped machines, in terms of cost.

The non-hybrid, non-turbocharged 2.5-liter delivers 187 HP, 185-lb.-ft of torque. It bolts up to a six-speed automatic transmission and sends power to all four wheels. Every Mazda XZ-50 is all-wheel-drive. With this setup, the CX-50 returns 25/31/28 mpg (city/hwy/cmb).

Going with the Turbocharged 2.5-liter gets you 256 HP, 320 lb.-ft as long as you fill your tank with Premium fuel (list on regular on screen 227HP, 310 lb.-ft). It also makes use of a six-speed automatic and sends power to all four wheels. Fuel economy suffers a little, getting 23/29/25 mpg (city/hwy/cmb).

And all three powertrains offered in the CX-50 will tow. Hybrids manage the least weight attached, 1500 lbs. The base 2.5 S, with its six-speed automatic, as opposed to the eCVT raises that to 2000 lbs. And the turbo motor will pull 3500 lbs., according to Mazda

Mazda will sell 10 trims of CX-50 in 2025, up from eight for the 2024 model year.
Four 2.5 S Trims: Select, Preferred, Premium, Premium Plus.
Three Hybrid trims: Preferred, Premium, Premium Plus.
And now only three 2.5 Turbo trims (Mazda ditched the base 2.5 Turbo from 2024): Meridian Edition, Premium, Premium Plus.

Standard features on all CX-50s: 10.3-in center display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 7-in digital instrument cluster, and Alexa built-in. As you go up in trims, you get more fanciness, peaking out at the Premium Plus level.

The base price for a 2025 Mazda CX-50 2.5 S Select is $31,720 (includes $1420 dest charge). The base hybrid, the Hybrid Preferred costs: $35,390 (incl. $1420 dest). The least expensive Turbo 2.5, the Meridian Edition, runs: $42,220 (incl. dest).

Mazda is a bit late to the Hybrid compact crossover SUV party, but certainly better late than never. The big question will be how well Mazda engineers tuned this system to feel like the rest of the line-up. Will the CX-50 Hybrid still engage the driver and feel like a Mazda?

The last thing Mazda wants is to lose its good driving feel advantage.

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