Many automakers have resisted the move to include hybrid models in their lineup, preferring to stick to pure ICE offerings.

Mazda is one such company, which prior to 2025 only offered two hybrids that were both plug-in models. They have now added a traditional hybrid to the lineup, that being the 2025 Mazda CX-50 hybrid.

I recently spent some time behind the wheel of a Premium Plus trim CX-50 hybrid, and I found this compact hybrid SUV loses little of the driving enjoyment the standard CX-50 offers, while adding significant fuel mileage gains and keeping its upscale interior.

Read on to learn more about how it stacks up in a segment full of solid hybrid offerings — including the Honda CR-V hybrid, Toyota RAV4 hybrid, Hyundai Tucson hybrid, and more.