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Mazda has partnered with Toyota to create the 2025 CX-50 Hybrid. Although it's branded as a Mazda, the CX-50 Hybrid has the heart of a Toyota. In this episode, we share our first impressions of the CX-50 Hybrid and discuss its driving characteristics, steering dynamics, and the Toyota drivetrain that powers it. We also address questions about whether it's still wise to purchase a Nissan, given its current financial issues, and whether Lexus is living up to its reputation as the most reliable automaker.
SHOW NOTES
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00:00 – Introduction
00:16 – Overview: 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid
01:34 – Mazda & Toyota Collaboration
07:14 – Driving Dynamics
09:31 – Styling
11:45 – Front Seats
15:20 – The Controls
18:56 – CX-50 vs. RAV4
23:54 – CX-50 vs. CX-50 Hybrid
26:15 – Question #1: Given the current state of Nissan, is it still wise to purchase a vehicle from the manufacturer?
33:40 – Question #2: Is Lexus still living up to its reputation as the most reliable automaker?
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This is funny because my car is a Toyota Corolla Crosse hybrid and my wife’s car is a Mazda and I love my car efficiency but the Mazda is so much better built, the infotainment system is WAY BETTER than the glitchy Toyota
I HATE touchscreen in cars. I really don’t have a problem with my parent’s Mazda3 with the same controller.
Yeah, you’re way in be minority with that one. Knob controls suck.
@@victreebel170check the comments again. Most people who drive Mazdas love it because you learn it and hardly have to look at the screen.
Me too. Not sure if I hate this or the Subaru infotainment more
Most unhinged podcast yet. Loved it. Jennifer may never let the three of you at the table ever again.
I have a Mazda 6 and I LOVE the dial interface instead of using a touch screen. Touch screens while you’re driving are dangerous, clumsy and leave greasy fingerprints! Mazda, if you’re reading this, ignore the CR critics.
Could not agree more. Touchscreens are so highly overrated.
Using the dial is super annoying with android auto. IMO
I recently got my first car with a touch screen (yes, I have always driven older cars with my newest being a 2008 before I got my 2015 Civic) and I, too, find it difficult to try to operate while driving. Especially if the road isn’t perfect and your finger starts bouncing around all over the place. Trying to keep it perfectly straight to pause a song, for example, with a small pause button is quite a distracting challenge.
Awesome! What year and how many miles? Any major problems?
@@hereigoagain5050I got a 2018 Mazda 6 turbo Grand touring reserve
Brought it in 2021 19k miles
Currently 184k miles … No issues for me
I had a Mazda 3, albeit without Android Auto, but I found the rotary knob to be so easy to use. It took no time to master it and Mazda does not vary functionality in the display as most manufacturers do . I don’t think people should be reaching for a touch screen anytime they are driving or even when they’re at a traffic light. It’s just too distracting and attracts lots of smudges.
We love our 3 years old, 60K miles Mazda CX5. Not one issue till now. Want to get a Mazda CX-70 next year. One thing we really think Mazda can improve is their seats. The seats are a little too firm and a little short on thigh/lateral support.
The rotary knob is the absolute best thing about my Mazda. You come to love it once you learn it. That takes more than a day but it’s worth it. Touchscreens are horrendous in a car. Have you tried them?
Absolutely agree. So much easier to select things (on our CX-30) then poking on a touchscreen (in our Rav4 hybrid). Do these guys read these comments?
Like many others commenting, as an owner of a Mazda 3 of ten years, the dial controller is just fine. Similar to the mid 2000 BMWs, and much better than the Acura and Lexus designs of late, which my kids own. Couldn’t find the survey alluded to in the podcast, but the Mazda CX-50 hybrid feels superior to the Rav 4 hybrid we have looked at. Also note that in California, Toyota dealers are gouging customers with huge markups on their cars that Mazda is not.
That episode had a healthy dose of chaos, and I enjoyed the hell out of it.
We have 4 Mazdas in my family. Two CX50, one CX5, and one CX9… I love the controller,,, both of my daughters, who are tech savvy, love the controller and the switch’s…The controller is down where my hand is naturally… and I don’t have to refocus on the screen as it’s high in my sight lines… Mazda, best value in the market.
We’ve had many Mazdas and the command controller is one of the biggest draws. I love that I don’t have to lean forward to change anything. Once you get used to it, it’s amazing. I have a newer frontier and I prefer the command controller over the touch screen.
I love infotainment system with dial on my CX5. Period.
Touch screens in a car suck.
What the hell is wrong with CR. These old geezers have no idea what they’re talking about when it comes to the infotainment system. Just because you guys can’t figure it out doesn’t mean others can’t. Actually LIVE with the car (not just test) and you will never want to drive another car without the rotary knob. Not everyone wants a touch screen in a vehicle. Mazda’s market research is correct.
Mazda. We saw it and the RAV4, drove the CX50 hybrid, and it was no contest. Everything about the Mazda was nicer. Interior, paint job (by far), and Mazda’s financing and lease programs are way nicer. We’re returning to Mazda in a few days to do the deal.
I was the first sale of this car on black Friday. It’s the best car, you’ll love it!
I think touch screens insidious appearance in every car is making me less and less enthusiastic about all cars. I had a 2012 Audi Q5 with the spinning knob similar to Mazda’s system. I could tune my radio without swerving off the road because I could actually pay attention to my driving instead of the screen and keeping my arm steady to press the right part of the screen. I had a button to change the HVAC temp. If I can control functions in my car safely, then I am interested. If not, then I want to ignore until there are no more cars with real controls to keep me interested.
Having owned six Mazda’s since the 1980’s, I’ve found them to be very reliable and fun to drive (I wish they would build a pickup again). Just purchased a sleeper, the CX70, because the ride, Bose sound system, fit, finish, interior, quiet cabin, and cargo area is ideal for us in our 70’s. If we can figure out the control knob, you youngsters can too.
I have a CX-5 and the dial interface is one of the things I love the most! It’s not well suited for Apple Carplay, but works great elsewhere.
The rotary knob takes 1 week to get used to and it’s GREAT
This is the all star line up of CR journalists.