After putting the rugged CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition through its paces on frozen muddy roads a couple of weeks earlier, I was curious how its more sophisticated sibling, the CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus, would handle a different kind of adventure – a holiday road trip through America's heartland. Spoiler alert: this hybrid crossover proved that going green doesn't mean compromising on luxury or capability. In fact, the improved gas mileage on this model addressed my biggest disappointment on the previous model. An unfair assessment for a trim level intended to be capable of some off-road adventures, but this Premium Plus trim fully lived up to the model's potential as a shining star in Mazda's lineup of capable crossovers!
A Different Kind of Performance
For this review, I was more focused on creature comforts and handling as Heather and I set off on a road trip to check out the famous "Lights of Joy" display in Shipshewana, along with some of the town's legendary comfort food.
Where the Turbo Meridian Edition flexes with 256 horsepower, the Hybrid Premium Plus takes a more efficient approach, combining a 2.5L engine with three electric motors to produce 219 horsepower. But here's where things get interesting – on our journey from Toledo to Shipshewana, Indiana, the hybrid system delivered just shy of its official 38 mpg combined, a roughly 40% improvement over what we saw in the non-hybrid Turbo model.
One of the things that makes this vehicle particularly interesting is that this model merges the best of two of our favorite Japanese manufacturers. The hybrid system here is designed around the Toyota Hybrid System, a power train that features a 2.5L naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder with a hybrid EV battery, THREE electric motors and an eCVT. This provides standard Electric AWD and offers a 40% improvement compared to the 2.5 S trims.
If you thought that hybrids were boring, fuel efficiency first and what does that have to do with Mazda ... don't worry, Mazda's engineering team took care of everything else to ensure that the driving experience was still preserved. This is far from a boring hybrid and despite it being smaller than what Heather and I are looking for ... both of us remarked multiple times that we really liked how it felt.
Refined Road Manners
The Hybrid Premium Plus swaps the Meridian's aggressive all-terrain rubber for sophisticated 19-inch wheels featuring an aerodynamic turbine-inspired design. These wheels aren't just for show – they contribute to the vehicle's impressive fuel economy while providing a quieter, more composed ride on highway stretches. Similarly, the entire vehicle felt solid and easy to have a conversation with Heather as we drove down the turnpike as well as along back country roads.
Thinking About A Cruise Or Resort Vacation?
Mazda's engineering team has always impressed me in this regard as they clearly focus on noise and vibration as important aspects of the overall experience of driving enjoyment.
As mentioned previously, Mazda also has one of the best heated seats and wheel systems of any major brand. On our trip this was especially enjoyable as we darted from popcorn store to the car to a candy store and back again. Getting back inside the CX-50 and gripping a piping-hot wheel is a luxury that was truly appreciated on this road trip.
I wish we could have taken more shots of the car driving around Shipshewana but as you can see from the video it was cold and raining. For some reason, it seemed to be mostly isolated to the area around the town, but despite the inclement weather, the overall driving experience was very enjoyable.
The Bottom Line
At $40,050, the CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus represents a different kind of value proposition than its more adventurous Meridian sibling. Instead of trail-ready capability, you get premium comfort, impressive fuel economy, and refined road manners. The roughly $575 annual fuel savings over the standard CX-50 2.5 S Premium Plus helps offset the initial investment (an incremental $2,550) . Still, the real value is in the overall package – a comfortable, efficient, and sophisticated crossover that's as comfortable on a holiday road trip as it is for daily commuting.
For those who prioritize comfort and efficiency over off-road capability, the CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus makes a compelling case. It proves that you can have a premium driving experience while still being environmentally conscious – and saving money at the pump. Whether you're planning a holiday light tour or just handling daily duties, this hybrid crossover delivers a refined experience that's hard to fault.
