What Is the 2025 Mazda CX-50?
The Mazda CX-50 is a five-seat compact SUV with sleek styling and the spry driving manners of a high-riding sports sedan. The base powertrain is a 187-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder that’s coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. A zesty turbocharged version of the same four-cylinder produces 227 or 256 hp, depending on whether it’s running on regular- or premium-grade gas, and a 219-hp hybrid powertrain is also available. The CX-50’s competitors include the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4.
What’s New on the 2025 Mazda CX-50?
The CX-50 gets a new hybrid powertrain option this year, borrowed from one of its primary competitors: the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. It uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, with two electric motors to drive the front wheels and a third electric motor on the rear axle to provide AWD. The CX-50 Hybrid earns an EPA-estimated 38 mpg combined, compared with 28 mpg for the naturally aspirated engine and 25 mpg for the turbocharged four-cylinder. Mazda also upgraded the CX-50’s forward collision warning system this year to better detect pedestrians at night, and a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen now comes standard.
What Features in the 2025 Mazda CX-50 Are Most Important?
Standard features include:
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- 10.25-inch infotainment display
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Four USB-C ports (two front and two rear)
- Wi-Fi hot spot
- Eight-speaker audio system
- Keyless entry
- Dual-zone climate control
- Forward collision warning with pedestrian detection
- Adaptive cruise control
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Blind spot warning
- Lane departure steering assist
Available features include:
- Wireless device charging
- Synthetic leather upholstery
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Heated rear seats
- 12-speaker Bose audio system
- Power liftgate
- Panoramic moonroof
- Surround-view parking camera system
- All-terrain tires
Should I Buy the 2025 Mazda CX-50?
There’s no shortage of competition in the compact SUV market, but the CX-50 impresses with its fun-to-drive nature, standard AWD, a long roster of safety features and a classy interior that wouldn’t look out of place if there were a luxury badge on the front grille. Granted, climbing to the CX-50’s highest trims brings a near-luxury price along for the ride. Mazda pitches the CX-50 as an adventure-ready SUV with better-than-average off-road capabilities, but we like it better as an athletic on-road SUV. If you’re most interested in off-the-beaten-path excursions, rivals like the Ford Bronco Sport, Subaru Forester and off-road trims of the Toyota RAV4 are better choices.
