2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid

Most Mazdas are affordable, fun to drive, and look good inside and out. Many of its crossovers, SUVs, and sedans have earned Consumer Reports’ recommendations and above-average reliability ratings. Used Mazdas are usually a good option for an affordable pre-owned car. Mazda’s two- and three-row SUVs, identified by CX in the name, are consistently near the top of our ratings. Some Mazdas are available as plug-in hybrids that are capable of useful amounts of electric-only driving range. Most Mazdas achieve solid, but not exceptional fuel economy. Though sports cars are less popular now than decades before, Mazda still sells the MX-5 Miata, one of the best of the few remaining enthusiast cars.

The Mazda CX-50 expands the line-up for 2025 with a hybrid variant, adapting the 219-hp hybrid powertrain from the laudable Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. Mazda claims it will deliver an EPA-estimated 38 mpg combined. That sounds plausible, and it would mean about a 10-mpg gain over the base engine using the 2025 EPA combined figure. Where the CX-50 shines in general is with its responsive handling and quick, well-weighted steering. Now, it should be a bit quicker and significantly more efficient, based on our RAV4 Hybrid tests. Other changes for the new year are minor, such as adding the Alexa digital assistant, and a few hybrid-specific trim bits.