Street Take a look at: 2026 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus AWD

Prioritizing Enjoyable Behind the Wheel within the Most-Environment friendly Mazda

The 2026 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid is the third iteration of this compact SUV becoming a member of turbocharged and non-turbocharged gasoline-only fashions. Whereas Mazda was a bit late to electrification, they’re catching up quick. The CX-50 Hybrid joins the CX-70 and CX-90 plug-in hybrid SUVs, giving customers stairstep measurement decisions that take note of gasoline financial system.

The CX-50 Hybrid is a part of Mazda’s SUV quiver—smallest-to-largest—the CX-30, CX-5CX-50, CX-70 and CX-90. Finishing the Mazda choices are the Mazda 3 Hatchback and the Sedan, and the great MX-5 Miata and MX-5 Miata RF sports activities automobiles (hyperlinks to our take a look at drives are highlighted in Daring).

The Worth of Hybrid

Going hybrid enters Mazda into the dialog of getting a extra environment friendly compact SUV that may fill the wants of homeowners trying to drive cleaner and go additional on a tank of gasoline.

The CX-50 Hybrid has a 2.5-liter non-turbo engine mated to 3 electrical motors that produces 219 horsepower (hp) and 163 pound-feet (lb.-ft.) of torque. The gasoline financial system is rated at 39 mpg metropolis/37 freeway/38 mixed. In 193 miles driving in Southern California we averaged 38.9 mpg. Gasoline financial system numbers reported by Clear Fleet Report are non-scientific and characterize the reviewer’s driving expertise utilizing the sprint gauge laptop. Your numbers could differ.

The 2026 CX-50 Hybrid Most popular has a base worth of $36,245. For comparability, listed below are the specs for the non-hybrid CX-50 trims. All costs embody the $1,495 processing and dealing with price.

• Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter twin-scroll turbocharged 4-cylinder engine
• 256 hp and 320 lb.-ft. of torque
• Gasoline financial system: 23 metropolis/29/freeway/25 mixed
• Base trim worth: $39,395

• 2.5-liter non-turbo engine
• 187 hp and 185 lb.-ft. of torque
• Gasoline financial system: 26 metropolis/30 freeway/26 mixed
• Base trim worth: $31,395

The gasoline financial system enhance within the hybrid is important. When you can forgo the additional efficiency of the Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter twin-scroll turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, you can be rewarded with a cool $3,150 in your pocket and spending much less money and time on the pump by selecting the hybrid. This profit nearly goes unheralded as there is just one delicate HYBRID badge positioned on the decrease proper rear of the carry gate.

Drive Time

Adapting the gasoline CX-50 right into a hybrid started with Mazda using Toyota’s Hybrid System that included the gasoline engine, three electrical motors and the electronically managed repeatedly variable transmission (eCVT) and Digital All-Wheel Drive, or e-AWD. No automobile firm has been producing hybrids longer and in such massive portions than Toyota, so Mazda made a smart alternative aligning with them.

The gasoline engine powers the entrance wheels, whereas there are two electrical motors on the entrance axle (a starter motor and a restricted drive motor) joined by the extra highly effective traction motor on the rear axle. The transitions between gasoline and electrical had been seamless, whether or not tromping on the accelerator or slowing to a crawl.

The graceful shifting e-CVT instantaneously makes use of driving information, based mostly on the chosen drive mode, to ship the very best gasoline financial system because it seamlessly strikes between working on electrical energy or the environment friendly hybrid engine. A useful inexperienced EV gentle seems every time it’s working solely on electrical energy. This mix of engine, motors and transmission constantly went 0-60 mph in about 7.7 seconds. Highly effective and fast sufficient to merge onto freeways and go massive rigs on the freeway.

Hitting the Street

Mazda constantly produces the very best dealing with automobiles and SUVs that aren’t offered as a sport or efficiency mannequin. Its engineers know the best way to design a chassis that produces above-the-norm driving dynamics. The CX-50 Hybrid continues this lengthy custom because the trip was clean and assured at freeway speeds and agile when cornering with a reasonably stiff suspension. This isn’t shocking coming from an organization that makes the incredible dealing with MX-5 Miata.

The nickel-metal hydride traction battery, positioned beneath the rear seats, improves the front-to-rear weight distribution and lowers the middle of gravity, which is all the time a plus for dealing with.

The suspension and chassis expertise from the gasoline CX-50 fashions haven’t modified, which implies the G-Vectoring Management system is carried over to the CX-50 Hybrid. Mazda’s G-Vectoring system adjusts engine torque, shifts weight to the entrance wheels in response to the steering wheel movement, will increase steering response and applies a little bit of the anti-lock brakes to ease cornering. The 4,008-pound curb weight felt strong, protected and assured in all driving circumstances.

The suggestions between the motive force’s enter and the automobile’s response is what makes a Mazda really easy to drive. When diving into a decent nook the CX-50 Hybrid dug in properly with management by the dynamic stability and traction controls, G-Vectoring and the 225/55 Goodyear Eagle Touring all-season tires on 19-inch machined alloy wheels with Black Metallic paint.

On a unbroken arc radius or a double apex, there was little steering enter wanted to appropriate and keep planted. The ability-assisted ventilated entrance disc and rear strong disc brakes stopped effectively.

The Mi-Drive driver-selectable modes of Regular, Energy and Path are mixed with the handbook shift mode. The CX-50 Hybrid is tow-rated for 1,500 kilos. If towing shall be an vital issue, choosing the non-hybrid CX-50 with the Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter twin-scroll turbocharged 4-cylinder engine bumps the towing potential to three,500 kilos.

Soul of Movement Exterior Design

Up to now few years, Mazda has been positioning itself to be extra upscale, hoping to turn out to be a close to premium model. Using its Kodo: Soul of Movement design theme, the CX-50 Hybrid has a slim entrance grille, slim LED head and daytime working lights that take-up as little actual property as attainable on the entrance fenders, with the flip alerts mere slits sitting simply above the body-color decrease fascia.

The lengthy hood, laid-back windshield, quick entrance and rear overhangs and large rear fenders give a commanding look. Black physique cladding wraps utterly across the CX-50 Hybrid, however could be a bit a lot, so it seems to be higher when mixed with a darkish coloration. Our tester was painted in Soul Purple Crystal Metallic that carried a $595 premium.

The body-color shark fin antenna, shiny roof rails, panoramic roof, built-in spoiler over the raked energy carry gate, shiny twin exhaust ports and LED tail lights finish-off the design. Had the rear wiper been tucked below the spoiler, it will have taken Mazda a step nearer to near-premium.

Premium Inside

The driving force-centric inside has a bit larger seating place than the gasoline CX-50 because of the 35mm carry in physique top. The CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus, which we drove, was totally loaded with a black inside that included leather-based seats with prime stitching. The driving force will get 8-way energy changes with lumbar and reminiscence and the passenger 6-way energy changes; each are heated and ventilated.

The rear seat comfortably holds two adults, three for brief distances, and comes with a middle folding armrest with cup holders and two USB-C ports.

The CX-50 Hybrid has ample leg and head room. The cargo space measures 43.1-cubic inches with the rear 60:40 seat upright; 75.4-cubic inches when lowered. Mazda has focused the CX-50 Hybrid, with seating for 5, for folks with lively and out of doors existence.

The sprint has a easy and clear, logical structure with loads of comfortable contact supplies. Three easy-to-read spherical gauges with black faces and white letters, are a part of a 7-inch (skinny movie switch (TFT) LCD multi-information show for the speedometer, odometer, tachometer, common gasoline financial system and, unique to the hybrid, an influence meter exhibiting when the battery is charging or the quantity of electrical energy or gasoline getting used when working.

The middle show, which is not a contact display (Although generally it’s. See beneath) measures 10.25-inches for the 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint premium sound system with AM/FM HD radio, SiriusXM, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio controls, Alexa Constructed-in and wi-fi Apple Automobile Play and Android Auto. On some trims a Mazda sound system has eight audio system, however nonetheless comes with the identical display measurement.

The “Commander” wheel positioned on the middle console controls the system. Alternately, you should utilize the controls on the leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel. The Mazda controller system has improved through the years, however continues to be distinctive and will be cumbersome in comparison with these we discover on different automobiles. With repetition, the Mazda system ought to turn out to be comfy to make use of. Most duties will be negotiated with out eradicating your eyes from the highway.

The middle display turns into a touchscreen when utilizing Apple Automobile Play or Android Auto. In case you are a frequent consumer of those apps, it should come to you rapidly.

Security and Warranties

The 2026 CX-50 Hybrid comes with i-Activesense that provides an in depth checklist of normal and non-compulsory security options together with entrance, facet, and air curtain airbags, four-wheel energy disc ABS braking system, dynamic stability management, traction management, radar cruise management, rear view digital camera, tire strain monitoring system, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning and lane maintain help, rear cross site visitors alert, rear parking sensors, and an anti-theft alarm and engine immobilizer.

The Nationwide Freeway Transportation Security Administration (NHTSA), gave the 2026 CX-50 Hybrid a 5 Star total security score, its highest rating. The 2025 CX-50 was security rated as a High Security Decide+ by the Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS), so the 2026 is similar.

The 2026 CX-50 Hybrid comes with these warranties:

• Hybrid/Electrical Battery – Eight years/100,000 miles
• Powertrain – 5 years/60,000 miles
• Primary (Bumper-To-Bumper) – Three years/36,000 miles
• Roadside Help – Three years/36,000 miles
• Corrosion – 5 years/Limitless miles

Pricing

The 2026 CX-50 Hybrid is available in three trims with these costs, which embody the $1,495 supply, processing and dealing with price.

• Most popular: $36,245
• Premium: $39,645
• Premium Plus: $41,945

Observations: 2026 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid AWD

The 2026 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid AWD is a best choice if dealing with and a driving enjoyable issue are vital. If cargo and rear seat passenger area are pacing objects slightly than driving attributes, you could think about the Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage or Toyota RAV4.

Zoom-Zoom could not be its slogan, however the DNA that comes with the Mazda title runs deep in its veins. The CX-50 Hybrid will not be marketed as a sport compact SUV, however is positioned to households for errands, commuting and the occasional weekend journey.

Jon Leverett, challenge supervisor of strategic planning on CX-50, informed us: “Our technique behind the powertrain line-up for CX-50 is performance-based, with every powertrain representing a step-up in energy whereas the hybrid powertrain gives a step-up in each energy and effectivity from the two.5S. We view the two.5 Turbo as the top powertrain within the CX-50 line-up as a result of it provides clients probably the most functionality off-road by way of its low-down torque channeled by way of our AWD system and permits for 3,500-pound towing capability.”

Mazda desires you to strap-in the automobile seats and have enjoyable with the children on a household trip, or seize your folks and take off for a couple of days to the mountains or seashore. Go to your native Mazda supplier and take an prolonged take a look at drive to see for your self.

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