2026 MAZDA CX-50 Hybrid

We already dig the standard Mazda CX-50 for its rugged yet practical appeal, litany of safety features, and satisfying driving manners. The CX-50 Hybrid boasts all those traits and then adds excellent fuel economy to the equation, earning 38 mpg in combined city/highway driving. As the cherry on top, it also has more power than the standard CX-50.

We review the 2026 Mazda CX-50 separately.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of hybrid SUVs, including the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid.

The CX-50 Hybrid debuted just last year, yet improves for its second model year with more features. The base Preferred trim gains a panoramic moonroof and parking sensors, the midgrade Premium gets ventilated front seats and an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink universal remote, and the top Premium Plus adds heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel, plus signature lighting.

The 2026 CX-50 Hybrid has an appealing starting price, especially considering it comes standard with all-wheel drive and that even the entry model is well equipped. The CX-50 Hybrid starts above the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and Kia Sportage Hybrid, and below the Subaru Forester Hybrid. It’s also below an all-wheel-drive Honda CR-V Hybrid. The all-new 2026 Toyota RAV4 will only be sold as a hybrid, but pricing on that model — which looks to bring serious competition to all compact SUVs — is still to be announced. Before buying a CX-50 Hybrid, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to see what others in your area are paying.

The Mazda CX-50 Hybrid’s resale value is a bit above average. Recouping more value when you sell or trade in your car can mean more money down and lower payments on your next one.

The 2026 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid makes a total of 219 horsepower, which is quite a bit more than the standard CX-50 (187 hp) and the same as the outgoing Toyota RAV4. And we mean literally the same as that soon-to-be-last-gen RAV4 Hybrid: The Mazda actually has a partnership with Toyota to use that powertrain from the hybrid RAV4. Still, we find the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid is no copycat, despite the shared heart. Mazda vehicles in general are blessed with an athletic-leaning nature, and that holds true of the CX-50. Combine that cornering talent with the CX-50’s more off-road-oriented nature, and you get a true all-arounder. Whether you’re using the CX-50 for the daily commute, urban errands, or venturing off the beaten path, it’s up for the challenge and satisfying to drive.

As such, the CX-50 Hybrid compares well with its current class of contenders, but it looks to have serious competition in the all-new 2026 Toyota RAV4, which will only be sold as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid and brings more power to the party.

Fuel economy

The Mazda CX-50 earns 38 mpg in combined city/highway driving. This is more than respectable, and a sizable gain over the standard CX-50’s 27 mpg rating. Against competitors, the Mazda’s mpg figures beat the Subaru Forester Hybrid and all-wheel-drive versions of the Honda CR-V Hybrid, and match those of all-wheel-drive Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and Kia Sportage Hybrid models.

Mazda interiors of late just feel special, and a cut above the competition. No, they won’t win the ever-competitive screen-size wars, but the CX-50 Hybrid’s 10.25-inch high-mounted display is ample enough. Rather, the CX-50 Hybrid is ready to win you over on its premium-leaning fit, finish, and design. The 5-passenger cabin is simply a nice place to be. In the driver’s seat, you’ll enjoy a cockpit-like experience, and the center console provides a wide berth between you and the passenger. It’s there you’ll also find a traditional, easy-to-use transmission lever — no buttons, dials, or switches here. Directly south of that is a command dial like the ones BMW fashioned so long ago to control infotainment. It takes some getting used to, but after having Mazda long-term test vehicles in our fleet for years, we can say with confidence the learning curve is short.

For 2026, a panoramic moonroof is standard even in base models. And we must mention that the upholstery itself feels a grade above. Another small detail: We simply love the way Mazda steering wheels feel. Go on, grab hold and sense what we mean.

In back, rear legroom of 37.8 inches isn’t class leading — a Kia Sportage Hybrid will give you 41.3 inches — but is fine for most. Same for cargo room: Compare the Mazda’s 29.2 cubic feet with rear seats up and 56.3 with them down to the Kia’s 39.5/73.7 numbers. But we found it useful for most cases, and never needed to stack grocery bags in the front seat due to a lack of space.

The CX-50’s modus operandi is to be the more rugged, outdoorsy sibling to the Mazda CX-5, and that shows in its design, including this hybrid version. So there is the requisite black cladding around the wheels and available roof rails to bring your outdoor gear. The two lower trims have a decent 7.8 inches of ground clearance, while the Premium Plus sits at 8.1 inches. That’s good, but still can’t match the Forester Hybrid’s 8.7 inches. The two lower trims ride on 17-inch wheels, while the top one gets 19-inchers. All models have a convenient power liftgate with programmable height setting.

All-wheel drive
The CX-50 Hybrid’s all-wheel-drive system is different than its gasoline-only counterpart’s, with an electric motor driving the rear wheels. That said, it’s still standard.

Driving modes
This hybrid drivetrain also has bespoke driving modes, like Power and Trail.

Dual-zone automatic climate control
A set-it-and-forget-it system, dividing the CX-50 Hybrid into left and right regions, each with separate temperature settings. Once set, the system maintains the preset temperatures automatically.

Driver assistance technologies
Mazda includes an array of safety tech like emergency forward braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a driver attention monitor.

Head-up display
This color display projects vital information onto the windshield just below the driver’s line of sight, to help keep eyes on the road. This feature is more common in luxury vehicles, so we’re pleased to see it in a mainstream model. It comes in the Premium Plus trim of the CX-50 Hybrid.

Bose audio
Included in Premium and Premium Plus trims, this 12-speaker system features Bose Centerpoint and AudioPilot technologies for an immersive listening experience.

The 2026 CX-50 Hybrid uses a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine and three electric motors to create a total output of 219 hp and 163 lb-ft of torque. This goes to all four wheels through an automatic transmission. Maximum towing ability is 1,500 pounds, which is at least suitable for a couple of personal watercraft on a trailer.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

Mazda’s new-vehicle warranty is for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first. Powertrains are covered for five years or 60,000 miles. This is all typical for mainstream manufacturers, although Hyundai and Kia do better. Hybrid batteries have an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty.

Safety Ratings

Regardless of drivetrain, this generation of CX-50 has taken the highest accolade of Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and earns the maximum 5-Star overall score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).