Hybrid Excitement! 2025 Mazda CX-50 vs. 2025 Honda CR-V

For most Americans, the default vehicle they land on is within the oh-so-popular compact SUV segment. And in that segment, one of the long-lasting sales leaders is the Honda CR-V. It has loads of practicality and an efficient hybrid powertrain, but for 2025 it’s getting a new rival: the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid. So, who wins in a 2025 Honda CR-V vs. 2025 Mazda CX-50 battle? That’s what we’re going to find out!

Pricing and Equipment

So, before we get into what’s similar and different between these two, let’s first set things up with the pricing breakdown. 

Starting with the CX-50, we have the new hybrid model in its top trim known as Premium Plus. All told, it’s a little over $42,000.

CX-50 (Hybrid Premium Plus AWD): $40,050 | Options: +$595 | Destination: $1,420 | Total: $42,065

Moving to the CR-V, its top trim, Sport Touring, is locked into a hybrid powertrain. No additional options are available, so it comes to $42,495 after destination.

CR-V (Hybrid Sport Touring AWD): $41,100 | Options: +$0 | Destination: $1,395 | Total: $42,495

Exterior Design

Starting with the exteriors, both models convey each of their brand’s typical design philosophies. The CR-V goes for a mature and classy approach, and while Mazda’s typically are very sleek, this CX-50 goes for a bit more of a rugged look. Both vehicles feature darkened grilles and full-LED lighting up front. The only difference here is Mazda includes a more-premium projector beam setup compared to the CR-V’s reflector LEDs.

Continuing to the sides, you’ll find the CX-50 is exactly an inch longer than the CR-V, but you might be surprised at who has more space on the inside later in this comparison. 

Length: 184.8-inches (CR-V) | 185.8-inches (CX-50)

In the meantime, at the wheels, both have 19-inchers with a contrast or fully blacked out look in the CX-50 and CR-V respectively. 

As a reminder, we don’t score personal design preferences, however, it is worth mentioning that the CX-50 has beefier matte-black cladding compared to the more subdued CR-V. Features-wise, both have exposed wipers, spoilers, and dual exposed exhaust tips. However, the Mazda has the advantage for rear lighting with every element of the taillight cluster being LED.

Mazda continues with advantages having 40% more towing capacity in hybrid form.

Towing: 1,000 lbs. (CR-V Hybrid) | 1,500 lbs. (CX-50 Hybrid)

Additional Features

As far as the mirrors are concerned, they both have BSM, heating, and LED turn signals, and the Mazda also adds power-folding.

And speaking of Blind Spot Monitoring, family SUVs need to be safe, and one of the really nice things about these two is that all four of your major active safety features are included as standard equipment.

The warranties are the same on both, outside of the fact that Honda has complimentary maintenance for 1 year.

This is shaping up to be a tight race, so let’s get into the interiors.

Interior Design

Approaching both SUVs, they have smart entry systems and their brand’s respective key fobs. Both models have remote start, but it’s only the CR-V that includes it on the fob, subscription-free for life.

After opening the doors, you’ll see these two have stark differences and not just in color. 

Before we dig into those differences, let’s start with the seats. While they are both 10-way power with lumbar support, finished in real leather, and have memory, it’s only the Mazda has seat ventilation since that’s not offered at all on CR-V.

Now once inside the cabins, let’s check out the major point category of material quality. Like many Mazda’s, they have put a lot of focus into delivering a luxurious experience with higher-end materials, padded areas, and stitched leatherette throughout. The CR-V also has plenty of soft materials around the cabin, but it doesn’t feel as plush as the Mazda.

After startup, you’ll see a 7-inch partial digital gauge cluster on both. They have decent customizability, but it’s only the Mazda that gives you a vivid head-up display in addition.

Moving back, they have leather-wrapped steering wheels and even rain-sensing wipers. Oddly enough, the hybrid CX-50 can’t get a heated steering wheel which is standard on CR-V Sport Touring.

Storage and Technology

Now it’s time to evaluate another major interior section: storage. This is where the Honda starts to pull away. Its center console has nearly double the volume of the CX-50 and a larger and more versatile front storage cubby. That’s not to mention the inconvenient placement of the CX-50’s cupholders that with large drinks impedes on the climate controls.

Despite the storage differences, both still have physical shifters. When in reverse, neither have 360-degree cameras, unfortunately. That’s because it’s not offered at all on the Honda and isn’t included on the Mazda unless you buy the even more expensive turbocharged model. 

Climate controls are simple to use with two zones of adjustment, and both have physical volume knobs. For audio, both SUVs include likely the exact same 12-speaker Bose CenterPoint audio system. Despite some tuning differences, there’s not enough of a difference to score a point.

CX-50: 12-speaker Bose CenterPoint audio

CR-V: 12-speaker Bose CenterPoint audio

People want a high level of technology in cars nowadays, so let’s move to the key element of displays. As far as the sizing, CX-50 has a 10.25-inch setup vs. a 9-inch one in the Honda.

But more important than the size difference is that the Mazda’s screen is mounted far away from the driver, since it is intended to be navigated by the control knob on the dash. When using Mazda’s interface, you cannot touch the screen, although you can strain to touch it when using wireless AA and ACP. The CR-V’s interface is easier to use on the day-to-day.

As we wrap up the front of the cabins, both have auto-dimming mirrors but only the CX-50 includes HomeLink remotes.

Up top, you’ll find a large panoramic moonroof on the Mazda that is still a missing feature from the CR-V.

Rear Seats and Cargo

Compact SUVs are very commonly used by families with kids, so let’s dive into the important back seats. Remember how the CR-V excelled with space in the front? Well, that trend will also continue in the back. The CR-V has over an inch more legroom based on manufacturer specs, and based on our real-world experience it’s an even bigger difference than the numbers would suggest. It is significantly larger than CX-50 and has 8-modes of seat reclining, so it’ll take the rear space and comfort point.

CX-50: Legroom: 39.8 inches | Headroom: 38.6 inches

CR-V: Legroom: 41.0-inches | Headroom: 38.2-inches

Now that that’s out of the way, they also have quite a few features. Both give you USB ports and rear vents, and neither have heated back seats as equipped. That is available only on a turbo-engine CX-50, but not on any version of CR-V in the US.

Now let’s see how much stuff you can bring along with you for the journey. Both have power tailgates, though only the CR-V has hands-free kick-to-open.

Once they open, you will see that the slightly shorter CR-V actually has a massive space advantage. It’s one of the class leaders for cargo volume and has a 30% advantage in both maximum capacity and with the seats in place.

CR-V (Hybrid): Behind 2nd row: 39.3 cubic feet | Max: 76.5 cu.ft

CX-50 (Hybrid): Behind 2nd row: 29.2 cu. ft | Maximum: 56.3 cu. ft

Only the Mazda includes a spare tire or convenient handles in the cargo area to 60/40-fold the seats.

But like we said at the beginning, both are hybridized so let’s take these out on the road and see who does it best!

Powertrains

Now it’s time to talk about the major element of powertrain where we have differences and similarities. With this new generation CR-V, half of the trim levels are hybrid-exclusive including this top-end Sport Touring. Altogether, it makes 204 horsepower. Meanwhile, the CX-50 hybrid is using a Toyota hybrid powertrain out of the RAV4. It makes about 7% more power at  219 HP from a 2.5L 4-cylinder and electric components, and overall acceleration is similar.

CR-V Hybrid: 2.0L I-4 + Elec: 204 hp | 247 lb.ft

CX-50 Hybrid: 2.5L I-4 + Elec: 219 hp

When it comes to transmissions, the CX-50 has an eCVT and the CR-V an eCVT-like setup. Real-world feel is nearly identical, and AWD is also standard on both.

Test Drive and Fuel Economy

Besides transmissions, you’re probably wondering how quiet the cabins are when cruising. Well, that’s why here at Car Confections, we take a sound-level reading of every vehicle we test on our channel. On the same stretch of road in Kentucky, we achieved pretty good ratings in both. The average human ear can discern 1dB of difference in sound change which will give the CR-V a half point advantage.

CR-V: 55.8 dB @ 55 MPH

CX-50: 57.5 dB @ 55 MPH

Now let’s talk about the ride quality. This is where you see distinctly different priorities. The CX-50 has a very sporty suspension tune to help with driving dynamics when compared to CR-V. Because of that, you feel road imperfections and bumps more prominently in the CX-50.

On the flip side however, the CX-50 exhibits incredible handling. While CR-V also has one of the best driving dynamics in the segment, it can’t quite compete with the Mazda’s athleticism and steering feel.

Lastly, let’s talk fuel economy. That’s one area where both excel and will save you thousands at the pump compared to many other new vehicles. CX-50 is technically 1 MPG higher at 38 MPG combined, but that’s not enough of a difference to score a point.

CR-V (Hybrid AWD): 40/34/37 MPG

CX-50 (Hybrid AWD): 39/37/38 MPG

Resale, Reliability, and Value

In our reviews and comparisons, we are also adding in reliability and resale information to give you a better picture of the overall value beyond just the original MSRP. 

Beginning with reliability, we developed the Combined Reliability Index, which takes into account several studies from trustworthy sources, and combines them in a way that gives a more realistic picture. Here, the sales leader has the advantage. Honda ranks as the #3 brand for reliability 14 slots above the industry average, meanwhile Mazda is slightly below average for reliability, by 1 slot to be exact.

We also put Mason’s economics degree to work to develop a detailed Predicted Resale Value tool. After 5 years and 60,000 miles, Honda has the #1 highest predicted resale value of any brand at 64.8% and Mazda closely trails it at 59.4%.

Resale is obviously important because it determines how much money you get back, but we can’t forget about the price difference at the original purchase. The CR-V costs $430 more than the CX-50.

I want to emphasize that if money, reliability or resale value matter less to you personally, feel free to disregard these points. And if you’d like to check out all our data about reliability and resale values, as well as learn about our methodology, make sure to head to www.carconfections.com/resale and www.carconfections.com/reliability. Buying a car is a big decision, and this is a great place to compare all the makes you might be cross-shopping.

2025 Mazda CX-50 vs. 2025 Honda CR-V Winner!

So, there you have it; another hot compact crossover comparison is in the books. But let’s recap a little bit and discuss who should be your personal winner. 

CX-50: 

• Luxury features: vented seats, HUD, panoramic moonroof
• Ultimate driving dynamics
• Tow capacity

CR-V: 

• Practicality: more storage/functional interior layout
• Space: second row and cargo
• More comfortable ride quality (good balance)

Now we want to know your opinions, so make sure to head to the comment section and let us know which one you would pick!

Thanks for joining us for another Car Confections Comparison! We’ll catch you next time as we sample the latest automotive delicacies!