According to CarFax, the 2026 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid is one of the most affordable hybrid SUVs in the country.
The affordable crossover SUV comes in both hybrid and gas-powered formats.
I drove the hybrid version of the 2026 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid for a week to see if it was worthy of its ranking as a 2026 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick Plus and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 5-Star Overall Safety Rating award.
The Mazda CX-50 I tested is the Hybrid Premium Plus, the highest trim model of the popular three-row SUV, and it costs just under $40,500. Less souped-up hybrid trims start at a little less than $35,000, while the base model of the similar gas-powered Mazda CX-5 SUV starts at a little less than $30,000. I’ve recently tested other similarly sized electrified models, including the Toyota bZ and Lexus RZ, as well as the Chevrolet Blazer EV.
I also recently tested the larger Toyota Grand Highlander hybrid three-row SUV.
I think the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid is a remarkable model because of its standard features, affordable pricing, and practicality. That’s what I learned from a week of real-world testing behind the wheel of Mazda’s popular crossover hybrid SUV.
What Makes the 2026 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Special?
The 2026 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid stands out from rivals in its segment due to its unique exterior and interior design. According to Cox Automotive, it has a strong value proposition for a personal or family car (starting at just $35,000 for a hybrid-powered base model), propelling it to the top of the ranking lists at a time when the average new car costs around $50,000.
In a week-long test, the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid’s interior and cargo area felt spacious for daily driving needs. I also enjoyed the CX-50 Hybrid’s larger screen for infotainment and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. However, the CX-50 Hybrid’s knob control system near the gear shift took some getting used to.
The Mazda CX-50 Hybrid is available in two standard colors: Jet Black Mica and Ingot Blue. Additionally, Wind Chill Pearl, Polymetal Gray Metallic, Machine Gray Metallic and Soul Red Crystal Metallic are available for upgrade.
How does the 2026 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid drive? Performance, operation and efficiency
The 2026 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid offers a smooth, quiet, and comfortable ride, and as a hybrid vehicle it has excellent gas mileage. It handles well, and its acceleration is quick enough to keep daily driving fun. A daily driver can easily forget that they are driving a hybrid car until they realize that they average over 30 mpg in city driving and over 50 mpg on highways!
The Mazda CX-50 Hybrid comes with a 2.5-litre, four-cylinder hybrid engine. Mazda says it offers an EPA-estimated total driving range of 551 miles. The hybrid SUV gets an estimated 38 mpg combined (city and highway). Our Premium Plus trim test vehicle drove more than 430 miles on a full tank of gas.
Will the 2026 Mazda CX-50 fit your lifestyle? Cargo, space and practicality
The Mazda CX-50 is 185.4 inches long, 63.8 inches tall and 74.5 inches wide (without mirrors). The Premium Plus trim model I tested offers 29.2 cubic feet of storage space with the rear seats down, which I found ample for hauling luggage and groceries.
With the rear seats folded down, cargo space increases to 56.3 cubic feet.
Is the 2026 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Worth It? Pricing, Value and Competition
The starting price for the 2026 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid is just under $35,000 before taxes and extra fees, which seems modest for a midsize crossover SUV in light of most modern new car prices. The Mazda CX-50 Hybrid is available in three trims, ranging from the base model Hybrid Preferred to the top-of-the-line Hybrid Premium Plus. The top trim Hybrid Premium Plus that I tested starts at $40,450, but it comes with bells and whistles like 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels – up from 17 inches on the cheaper model – ventilated front and heated rear seats, and Mazda’s traffic sign recognition system.
I enjoyed the souped-up Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus, but if I wanted to get the most for my money I’d probably choose the slightly cheaper Hybrid Premium trim. The Hybrid Premium trim version of the Mazda CX-50 costs a little more than $38,000, and offers most of the same features as the higher trim.
The Mazda CX-50 Hybrid competes in the crowded hybrid five-seat crossover SUV segment with models from rivals such as the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Kia Niro, Hyundai Tucson, Ford Escape and Subaru Crosstrek.
Who Should Buy the 2026 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid?
If you need a fuel-efficient midsize SUV that gives great mileage without worrying about charging, and that has lots of safety and convenience features, then you should buy the 2026 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid.
The Premium Plus trim model we tested comes with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It has Dynamic Stability Control with Traction Control System, Hill Launch Assist, Blue Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Lane Departure Warning System with Lane-Keep Assist. It also has smart brake support with forward head-on collision mitigation.
Reporting by Keith Lang, USA TODAY/USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect