10 Biggest News Stories of the Week: Mazda CX-5 Crowds Out Ford Maverick, Kia Sportage Hybrid

While some make up for their size constraints better than others, you can never say they didn’t warn ya. After all, it’s right there in the name: compact SUV. And whereas the 2025 Mazda CX-5 punches above its weight class in style, sportiness and excitement, it keeps things reigned in (or, packed in, as it were) when it comes to occupant accommodations. In Cars.com’s most popular article of the past week — reviewer Aaron Bragman’s comprehensive critique of the latest CX-5 — shoppers get a clear, concise preview of the benefits, drawbacks and trade-offs they’ll be making with this model.

Related: 10 Biggest News Stories of the Month: Toyota 4Runner Eases on Up, Hyundai Tucson Takes Up Space

The CX-5 is zippy and eager, boasting strong acceleration and sporty handling — especially when equipped with the optional turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine making 227 horsepower and 310 pounds-feet of torque. And, albeit a bit firm, seating comfort is good — as long as you’re sitting in front, where occupant space is ample. Whomever you banish to the backseat, however, better be short and slight (and there’d better only be two of them) lest you find yourself with your seats moved too far forward for front passengers’ comfort, but not far enough for rear passengers’ comfort. You will also probably find yourself trying to drown out all the complaints with music while cursing the lack of user-friendliness of the confounding rotary-knob-controlled infotainment system, which Bragman calls “the worst in the industry” — and that’s the nicer thing he calls it.

“If you’re not planning to have a huge family or just want to be entertained on your commute, this is the compact SUV for you,” Bragman concludes in his review. “That is to say, if the ‘sport’ part of ‘sport utility vehicle’ is most important to you, go for it — but if you need to prioritize ‘utility,’ there are more suitable options out there.”

For our full take on the 2025 Mazda CX-5 — including pricing, trim levels and detailed driving impressions — follow the link below to the No. 1 article on this week’s countdown of most-read stories.

But if you don’t want a sporty, space-stingy SUV cramping your economical, eco-friendly style, you’ll definitely want to consult our list of the best 2025 hybrids for the buck. The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid takes the title, here, at a price under $27,000 and an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 51/58/54 mpg city/highway/combined. The compact car is the only model on the list to crest the 2.0 mark in our proprietary efficiency-cost rating, with the others scoring from 1.90 down to 0.89. The Elantra Hybrid’s fellow best hybrids for the money include the Toyota Camry mid-size sedan, Toyota Prius hatchback, Toyota Crown full-size sedan, Ford Maverick pickup truck, Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid subcompact SUV, Kia Sportage Hybrid compact SUV, Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid mid-size SUV and Toyota Sienna minivan.

For full details on these high-value hybrids — including their respective prices, gas mileage figures and efficiency-cost ratings, as well as how we calculate those ratings — follow the link below to the No. 3 news story of the week.

Beyond all that, we’ve got headlines on the Land Rover Range Rover Sport, Honda CR-V, Genesis G70 and much more — so don’t stop reading till the digits double. Here are the top 10 news stories Cars.com readers couldn’t get enough of in the past week:

1. 2025 Mazda CX-5 Review: Pace Over Space 

2. Here Are the 10 Cheapest New Cars You Can Buy Right Now

3. What Are the Best 2025 Hybrids for the Money?

4. Which Electric Cars Are Still Eligible for the $7,500 Federal Tax Credit?

5. Here Are the 11 Cheapest Electric Vehicles You Can Buy

6. 2025 Toyota Sienna Review: It’s What’s Inside That Counts

7. 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV Review: Pleasantly Plush Plug-In

8. 2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid Review: Popular for Good Reason

9. Here Are the 10 Cheapest New SUVs You Can Buy Right Now

10. How Much Is the 2026 Genesis G70?

Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.