The 2026 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid brings fuel-sipping hybrid technology (up to 38 mpg in combined city/highway driving) to the upscale feel of the brand’s well-reviewed CX-50 compact SUV. Starting at $36,245 (including a mandatory $1,495 delivery fee), it’s one of the more affordable hybrid options in its class. It also carries the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) coveted Top Safety Pick + award.
Our Favorite Features and Tech
All-wheel drive (AWD)
The CX-50 Hybrid’s AWD 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. Power mode firms up the throttle feel and pushes the engine to rev higher than normal, while Trail mode has a mushier pedal feel and it’s slower to respond as it redistributes torque to the wheels with the most grip.
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 such as 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.
