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Making Light of the Lotus Elite2025 Mazda CX-50 Review
The Mazda CX-50 offers a new hybrid powertrain and upgrades to its standard safety offerings. We take an in-depth look here.
2025 Mazda CX-50 – mazdausa.com| Shop 2025 Mazda CX-50 on Carsforsale.com
What’s new for the 2025 Mazda CX-50
Remember when Mazda’s SUV lineup was simple? It started with the CX-7 and ended with the CX-9, and both practically kept Mazda relevant in sales figures for most of the 2000s. Nowadays, there’s enough variety in the lineup to cater to everyone. But among them, the CX-50 might be the most compelling.
The 2025 Mazda CX-50 comes with a big change in the line-up: the addition of the new CX-50 powertrain. Additionally, Mazda has added updated the standard driver safety features and all new Alexa Built-in features for voice control commands.
Carsforsale.com Score
9/10
Powertrain
Score
9.5/10
Interior
Score
9/10
Technology
Score
8.75/10
Value
Score
8.75/10
The Breakdown
Stylish exterior for its size
Reasonable base price
Exciting engine with an optional turbo
Not cramped inside, but could be better
Tough competition from Toyota and Honda
Weak base engine
The CX-50 is a standout
2025 MAZDA Specs
- 187 horsepower from base engine
- 185 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 10 available trims
- 31.4 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 56.3 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- Alexa hands-free voice commands
- Vehicle exit warning
2025 CX-50 Powertrain 9.5/10
These days, it feels like SUV powertrains are a Jekyll and Hyde situation. You either buy the underpowered base engine if you don’t care about performance, or you upgrade to something turbocharged if you do. The CX-50 but now adds a hybrid option into the mix for those looking to save on gas.
As for the base vehicle’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, its 187 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque aren’t impressing anybody. Thanks to standard all-wheel-drive, 24 MPGs in the city and 30 on the highway could be better as well. That said, the 256 horses of the optional turbo engine on 93 octane fuel lose you two combined MPGs. And the all-new hybrid powertrain nets 39 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway and offers a combined horsepower of 219 hp.
2025 CX-50 Interior 9/10
Surprisingly, the cabin of the 2025 CX-50 isn’t just a copy and paste of the CX-30 beneath it and the CX-5 above. With bespoke driver’s side rectangular HVAC vents compared to the CX-30’s quasi-triangle vents and the center-mounted vents in the CX-5.
Overall, it’s hard to say the CX-50 brings anything to the table a CR-V or RAV4 doesn’t. But at least the interior features look ostensibly different from the competition. Further still, there’s a sense this interior is just more stylish than more established SUVs of this size. Up-trimmed models, starting with the Premium, net a tasteful panoramic sliding moonroof, while leather seats appear with the Premium Plus, replacing the leatherette material in lower trims.
Rear legroom is decent for the size, at 39.8 inches. But there’s a sense that rivals like the Toyota RAV4, give you just a bit more value for your money in the rear seat legroom department. The CX-50 offers max cargo space of 56.3 cubic feet which is also little bit smaller than the RAV4’s maximum of 77.5 cubic feet.
2025 CX50 Technology and Features 8.75/10
For the same reason, an optional 12-speaker Bose sound system would be great for blasting whatever trendy new song they find on TikTok. For millennial parents of Gen Alpha kids, these things really do matter when buying a new car. Cringe if you want, but automakers take this stuff very seriously.
Regardless of the trim, you’re pretty well covered in the connectivity department. With two USB Type C ports front and rear, plus wireless charging starting with the Preferred trim, the whole family can charge up at the same time, no problem. Of course, you also get a similar suite of driver aides like lane departure warning, collision mitigation software, and pedestrian detection through Mazda’s Smart Brake Support system.
Unlike rivals that may lock a larger center infotainment screen under a pay wall in a higher trim, all CX-50s net the same 10.25-inch capacitive touch screen with iOS and Android connectivity.
2025 Mazda CX-50 Trims
S Select: $30,300
For the entry-level trim level, you net most of the cool interior perks of the CX-50 range including a robust driver assistance, vehicle safety package, hands-free voice commands, 10.25-inch infotainment screen, dual-zone automatic climate control, and leather-wrapped steering wheel. And 170
S Preferred: $31,650
You don’t get too much more beyond the Select for the jump in price here. That said, the added dual heated side mirrors might tempt folks in cold climates. Plus, the eight-way power adjustable driver seat with lumbar support is pretty nice. As is wireless charging capability, admittedly.
Hybrid Preferred: $33,970
The Hybrid Preferred is the entry into the new hybrid powertrain. In addition to the hybrid engine, you get all of the same options as the gas-powered Preferred trim.
S Premium: $34,000
The Premium upgrades include a 12-speaker Bose sound system and leather seats with matching leather trim pieces, and a panoramic moon-roof. Mazda’s Radar Cruise Control, Speed Limit Assist, and Traffic Sign Recognition makes its debut at this price point as well, all around a healthy upgrade from trims beneath it.
Hybrid Premium: $37,500
The Hybrid Premium has many of the same options as the S Premium, but also adds the choice of black or red leather seats.
S Premium Plus: $37,500
Premium Plus nets you everything in the Premium trim, plus goodies like three-level adjusted front seat ventilation. A windshield-projected Active Driving Display HUD unit and 29-inch black metallic rims are another nice touch.
Hybrid Premium Plus: $40,050
The Hybrid Premium Plus includes unique 19-inch wheels, bright roof rails, folding-power mirrors, auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink, 6-way power passenger seat, and 2-position memory serring on the driver seat and the Active Driving Display .
Turbo Meridian Edition: $40,800
Turbo power for days, reasonable fuel economy in spite of the power, and all the luxuries you’d expect from a new car that costs this much. The added trim-specific graphics and side rocker packages are nice touches that make this edition stand out in the crowd. The 18 x 8 aluminum alloy wheels do wonders for that too, especially with the black metallic finish.
Turbo Premium: $41,300
Despite what you might think, this isn’t a rehash of the Premium and Premium Plus trims, but with the turbo engine under the hood. You also get trinkets like an auto-dimming driver-side mirror, plus access to the full array of exterior color options available for the 2025 CX-50.
Turbo Premium Plus: $43,300
As the flagship of the range, you could almost trick yourself into thinking this a more expensive SUV. Frameless rearview mirrors, 360-degree view monitor with See Through View function, Front Cross Traffic Alert, and enhanced Smart Brake Support.
2025 CX-50 Overall Value 8.75/10
We get it, all small SUVs are the same. But in a sea of what looks like copy/pastes of one another, the CX-50 manages to at least hold its own in value and refinement. As a decent family runabout, no one would call you a fool for picking this Mazda over something from Ford or Toyota.
CarsForSale.com Overall Score 9/10
2025 Mazda CX-50 – mazdausa.com | Shop 2025 Mazda CX-50 on Carsforsale.com
It’s nice to see an automaker take the formulaic quasi-luxury SUV and do something interesting with it. The option of a turbo engine is a great touch, and we don’t think anyone would complain about the features at any trim level. Kudos to Mazda, they managed to make the CX-50 stand out in a lineup that’s almost entirely made up of SUVs now.
2025 Mazda CX-50 FAQs
Does the CX-50 have a turbocharged engine?
Yes, the CX-50 has an available turbocharged engine.
Does the CX-50 have AWD?
Yes, The CX-50 has an AWD powertrain.
What is the difference between the CX-50 and CX-5?
The CX-5 is designed for urban driving, while the CX-50 offers capability on and off road.
