Now armed with three small SUVs, Mazda has improved its chances when stacked up against some the best in the class.
These days, where small SUVs seem the latest rage, it’s a tall task when stacked up against capable rivals like the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, Nissan Rogue, Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage, Subaru Forester, and Volkswagen Tiguan.
Mazda is doing its best, offering the compact CX-5, CX-50 and subcompact CX-30. In terms of sales, the CX-50 is the second most popular Mazda SUV, trailing only the more established CX-5.
This review will focus on the intricacies of the 2026 Mazda CX-50 hybrid, which was introduced one year ago. It helped bolster overall sales of the CX-50 brand that debuted in 2022 as a gas-only SUV. Overall, last year sales were five times greater than 2022, reaching 110,345.
For 2026, there are no significant changes from last year’s hybrid model.
Although the CX-50 and its hybrid sibling have some nearly identical traits – interior makeup, driving experience, overall design – there’s one primary reason for going with the hybrid. Like many gas-powered SUVs, the CX-50 can’t match the hybrid’s fuel efficiency. The hybrid has one engine only, while the CX-50 has an optional version that’s turbocharged and the quickest version.
It also needs to be mentioned that the CX-50 hybrid costs more, starting at an estimated $34,800, while the gas-powered model lists for approximately $31,400. One other notable difference between the two is the gas version has a more rugged exterior and is more off-road capable, while the hybrid features better driving finesse.
The CX-50 hybrid combines three electric motors with a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder to deliver 219 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. It goes 0-60 mph in 7.6 seconds (the CX-50 is clocked at 8.0 seconds). The major difference is fuel economy, where the hybrid shines at 37-39 mpg and the regular CX-50 gets only 24-31 mpg.
Both SUVs are equipped with standard all-wheel drive in all trim models. However, there is a difference. The hybrid has electric all-wheel drive (e-AWD) that directs power to the front and rear axles, eliminating the need for a physical driveshaft that the CX-50 possesses. Note the hybrid uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and the regular CX-50 employs a six-speed automatic transmission.
The hybrid can replicate the driving acumen of the agile CX-50, providing athletic handling that makes it fun to drive on challenging roads and appropriately safe in neighborhood streets. The hybrid corners well and is stable and secure.
AT A GLANCE – 2026 MAZDA CX-50 HYBRID
- Performance: three electric motors, 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine, 219 horsepower
- Mileage estimate: 37-39 mpg
- Price estimate: $34,800 to $42,500
- Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles; Drivetrain: 5 years/60,000 miles; Roadside Assistance: 3 years/36,000; Corrosion: 5 years/unlimited; Battery: 8-year/100,000-miles
Standard driver safety features include smart brake support with head-on collision mitigation; vehicle and pedestrian detection; blind spot monitoring; rear cross traffic alert; lane departure warning; lane keep assist; radar cruise control; driver attention alert; vehicle exit warning; rear seat alert; and emergency lane keeping.
The hybrid interior has a nice feel, thanks in part to soft padding on the dash and few hard surfaces. Standard features include synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and wireless connectivity on all trims. The 10.3-inch touchscreen is intuitive and comes with buttons and knobs, instead of linking everything to the screen.
Seating is roomy in both CX-50 SUVs. Because of the battery’s location, the cargo area behind the rear seats is slightly less in the hybrid – 2 inches shorter at 29.2 cubic feet. With the rear seats folded to the floor, the space expands to 56.3 cubes, about average for a compact hybrid SUV.
Mazda continues to increase its reputation for manufacturing highly capable SUVs. In its second year, the 2026 Mazda CX-50 hybrid has many fine qualities and instantly can compete with some notable competition.
Weidel on Wheels is featured regularly on www.tahoeskiworld.com. Auto writer Jeffrey Weidel can be reached at skiweidel@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter at @jeffweidel.bsky.social
