Mazda CX-50 Hybrid for the U.S.: Here’s what we expect [Update]

Update: ‘Interior,’ ‘Specifications,’ and ‘Price & Release date’ sections updated.

The gas-powered Mazda CX-50 went on sale in the U.S. in April 2022 and is slotted above the CX-5 in the brand’s North American line-up. The company is off to a decent start with 21,329 units sold last year, in the United States. Interestingly, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) made mention of the hybrid model during the launch of the CX-50 in January 2022, stating an arrival “in the coming years”, without providing additional details.

Here’s what we know about the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid, which has just been launched in the Chinese market.

Mazda Canada confirms CX-50 Hybrid for 2024

Mazda Canada revealed plans to introduce the CX-50 Hybrid via a press release on November 22, 2022, which we’re unable to locate any longer in the press portal. As per copies of the press release that are still online, the company said that it intends to launch 8 new electrified models in Canada by 2025, one of which will be the hybrid version of the CX-50 – as also reported by CX-50 Forums.

According to Mazda’s timeline from the same announcement, the CX-50 Hybrid should make its Canadian debut in 2024.

Mazda CX-50 Hybrid for the U.S.

In an announcement on July 28, 2023, Mazda North American Operations confirmed that the CX-50 Hybrid is an important part of the company’s electrified portfolio in the United States. As the U.S. is the main market in North America, we believe that the electrified CX-50 would be launched here before reaching Canada.

Our current U.S. electrification efforts are focused on large platform PHEVs, such as the first-ever 2024 CX-90 PHEV and upcoming CX-70 PHEV, as well as introducing CX-50 Hybrid into our lineup to address the specific needs of the U.S. market.

Mazda North American Operations on July 28, 2023

Design

The Mazda CX-50 Hybrid celebrated its world premiere at Auto Shanghai 2023 (April 2023), and was recently launched in the Chinese market in four variants. While it sports a silver “Hybrid” badge with blue lettering, the CX-50 Hybrid bears no visual differences compared to its non-electrified counterpart. The U.S.-spec CX-50 Hybrid may also not differ largely from the regular CX-50 either.

The CX-50’s exterior is sporty and confident, featuring a wide stance and a sleek yet well-sculpted fascia that also looks modern. There are enough brand-specific styling cues sketched into the stylish silhouette of the car – from Mazda’s distinctive ‘Kodo’ design language on the front end and nose section to the easily-recognizable shape of the LED headlights.

Other design features of the CX-50 that draw attention include the heavily-contoured hood, flared wheel arches with pronounced plastic cladding, faux skid plates finished in satin silver, and large vents integrated into the front and rear bumpers. The U-shaped LED lights found in the taillights are a nice touch and look upmarket.

Interior

Mazda has been consistently delivering high-quality cabins in almost all their new models, something the gas-powered CX-50 inherits as well. Not only is the driver’s seating position sporty and ergonomic, but the level of fit & finish of this interior is also impressive. There are soft touchpoints and contrast stitching on offer with plentiful metallic accents, while the dual-tone interior theme adds to the premium appeal.

Unlike many automakers, Mazda has retained physical buttons to control many of the CX-50’s features – extremely handy and easy to operate while driving. Seat cushioning and comfort are noteworthy, while the leather-wrapped steering wheel feels suitably premium. Shorter drivers may find the information displayed on the recessed main screen hard to spot at times, but the part-digital instrument cluster works as intended.

Going by pictures in the Chinese media, the local-spec CX-50 Hybrid’s interior looks similar to the CX-50 for the most part. The instrument binnacle gains a tachometer-style gauge that displays the charge/power consumption, whereas the shifter console gains an ‘EV’ button and the Mi-Drive selector.

Specifications

Under the hood of the Chinese-spec CX-50 Hybrid is an A25D-series 2.5-liter engine manufactured by the Guangqi Toyota Engine joint venture company, as per MIIT declaration. The hybrid system, featuring an E-CVT, produces 131 kW (176 hp) of total power, and 221 Nm (163 lb-ft) of peak torque.

The engine code, displacement, and combined power make us think the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid has the A25D-FXS powertrain of the Toyota Wildlander Hybrid, a China-only version of the RAV4 Hybrid sold by the Guangqi Toyota joint venture company. The battery pack is a Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) unit and comes from Primearth EV Energy, a Toyota-Panasonic joint venture company.

The top-spec Mazda CX-50 Hybrid is equipped with Electronic four-wheel drive, featuring a motor on the rear axle. This variant also has a drive selector (Mi-Drive) that offers Normal mode, Power mode, and Trail mode options.

The CX-50 Hybrid 2WD model’s fuel consumption rating is 5.34 L/100 km, whereas the AWD model delivers 5.56 L/100 km. Thus, its fuel economy can be assumed to be 44 MPG & 42.3 MPG respectively, in the Chinese cycle. The U.S.-spec model’s EPA-est. fuel economy will be slightly different.

Aspect	Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Specification (China)
Length	4,785 mm (188.4 in.)
Width	1,920 mm (75.6 in.)
Height	1,670 mm (65.7 in.)
Wheelbase	2,815 mm (110.8 in.)
Approach Angle	17º
Departure Angle	22º
Tire Size	225/65R17 or 225/55R19
Curb Weight	1,720 kg (3,792 lbs.), 1,763 kg (3,887 lbs.), or 1,807 kg (3,984 lbs.)
Gross Weight	2,173 kg (4,791 lbs.), 2,216 kg (4,885 lbs.), or 2,232 kg (4,921 lbs.)
Engine	A25D 2.5-liter gasoline (naturally aspirated)
Hybrid Powertrain Power	131 kW (176 hp)
Hybrid Powertrain Torque	221 Nm (163 lb-ft)
Battery Pack Type	Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH)
Top Speed	180 km/h (112 mph)
Fuel Economy (CN-spec)	44 MPG (2WD) 42.3 MPG (AWD)

Features

The gas-powered Mazda CX-50 offers customers plenty of modern features and driver aids, depending on the trim level. The latter consists of safety technologies like Dynamic Stability Control, Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Advanced Smart City Brake Support with pedestrian detection, Lane Departure Warning System with Lane-keep Assist, Driver Attention Alert, Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Mazda Connected Services with MyMazda App. In our experience, these are usually carried over to the Hybrid version.

At present, the U.S.-spec CX-50’s equipment list includes adaptive & auto-leveling LED headlights, a power rear liftgate with programmable height adjustment, a power-operated panoramic moonroof, ventilated & powered front seats, heated rear seats & steering wheel, LED interior lighting, a 10.25-inch infotainment display with Mazda Navigation System, in-car Wi-Fi, dual-zone climate control with rear vents, a wireless phone charger, and a 12-speaker premium audio system by Bose. While Apple CarPlay is wireless, Android Auto is not. Buyers of the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid can expect similar features.

Price & Release date

At the 2023 Guangzhou Auto Show, which opened on November 17, 2023, Changan Mazda introduced the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid in China, in 4 variants. Mazda hasn’t announced the CX-50 Hybrid’s U.S. launch timeline yet, but we expect the brand to release an update in the following months.

While nothing is official yet, the CX-50 Hybrid is expected to reach U.S. dealers in the first half of 2024. Prices may start at around USD 34,000 (excl. destination and handling fee). Canada may get the new hybrid SUV shortly after.

The CX-50 is produced at the new Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM) plant located in Huntsville, Alabama, U.S. The state-of-the-art facility, which was the result of a joint venture between the two Japanese automotive giants, has an annual production capacity of 300,000 vehicles and up to 4,000 employees. The upcoming Mazda CX-50 Hybrid is to be built here.

Also See: Mazda CX-90 PHEV could add fun & functionality to the 3-row SUV segment

Sales

As per the sales numbers reported by Mazda North American Operations (MNAO), the company sold 34,887 units of the gas-powered CX-50 between January and October 2023, an uptick of 118% over the same period in 2022 (January-October 2022: 16,006 units).

Note that the combined sales figure includes Mazda U.S., Mazda Canada Inc. (MCI), Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM), and Mazda Motor de Colombia (MCOL). The addition of a hybrid variant should provide incremental sales.

2024 Mazda CX-50 changes

On July 18, 2023, Mazda launched the gas-powered 2024 CX-50 in the United States, with prices starting at USD 30,300. A USD 1,375 destination and handling fee is additional. The updated model has new dampers and a recalibrated steering system. Additionally, the S Premium Package trim includes a wireless phone charger. If necessary, Mazda may use the new dampers and recalibrated steering system in the CX-50 Hybrid as well, right from launch.

While the company did not mention the hybrid version in the press release, we’re fairly confident that the electrified CX-50 will be detailed in a separate announcement shortly.

TopElectricSUV says

The Mazda CX-50 Hybrid will face stiff competition from other compact SUVs such as the Honda CR-V Hybrid and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. However, the CX-50’s charms are likely to be in its composed yet sporty driving dynamics and premium in-cabin experience.

Featured Image Source: China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT)