I love the fact that Manufacturers are finally accepting the “If you can’t beat them, join them” attitude! Love the combo Mazda body / Toyota engine combo. Subaru has a relation with Toyota also. The best of all worlds!
7:00 IIRC, if you access the center display, Home Screen>Information>Status> you can access the Battery status and the Electric/Gas flow patterns in real time.
I think what car campers do is just leaving the car “running” but the engine only forest up periodically as needed. The viewer who mentioned this originally stated it runs only 8 minutes out of about every 30. Although I’m sure it varies depending on temperature demands.
Sat in one and the over the shoulder and when changing lanes the blind spots in the back windows and the very short rear window to see anything esp with the seats blocking part of the view.
Since you're on a roll with reviewing these RAV4 varients, how about doing a review on the Lexus NX? I'd be very interested in watching what you think of it, and it's comparison with the Rav4.
I love this suggestion, and I wish I could right now. The closest Lexus dealer is 1xx miles away, so I don’t have any connection to them (yet). Doing this as a regular part time thing while having a full time job makes traveling those distances tough. But I hope to drive and review and more diverse selection of brands in the future!
It feels good around town, but I think at speed or on off roams that turn it would not feel very good (similar to my RAV4). Today I posted a driving video in the rain, that might give you some good insight!
That’s a good question. The electrical stuff is covered for a long time, and battery components should get cheaper over time in comparison to the value of money. But I still wouldn’t expect a complete placement to cost more than at most $2-3k. It’s a tiny battery pack conveniently located, it shouldn’t cost a lot, but idk. 🤪🤷♂️
Why so the seats look like Rav4 seats? Can we compare them to non-hybrid CX-50 seats? Can we also compare interior and cargo dimensions between this and the Rav? It seems smaller in every way.
You can Google all the interior specs. But in my mind what’s very noticeable is the interior volume with the rear seats folded down in the CX-50 is 59 cubic feet, and in the RAV4 it’s 70. On Sunday I’ll release my side by side comparison between this and my rav4.
I’m looking at the CX-50 Premium vs RAV4 XLE Premium and the interior material on the CX seems much nicer vs the RAV. The seat material in the CX seems more durable and refined. I saw where the 25 RAV 4 Hybrid combined mpg is now 39 vs CX 38. Also you have to add a number of packages for the RAV4 to match up with the CX. That runs $1k-1.5k more. The CX forces that darn panoramic sunroof on you. Still can’t decide which one to get. Availability and pricing will probably eventually decide it.
That’s definitely a tough decision! Tomorrow morning I’ll make public a comparison video of this and my RAV4. I will say a lot of Cx-50 owners think the seat bottoms are hard and don’t form well to the driver. So please test drive and keep that in mind before you financially commit to anything!
Nice look at this Mazda hybrid. Despite some peculiarities, I like it. What I really like is Toyota having a small steak in Mazda & Subaru. Giving them access to that 4 gen system. My understanding is there's not very much difference between the 4th gen and 5th gen hybrid systems. Other than the new one has slightly smaller lighter parts. Proving once again size doesn't ...
I mean they might have a small steak 🥩, but they at least have a small stake haha. Auto correct doesn’t seem to work very well in the comment section of YT videos.
The bottom cladding is so wide all over because they had to raise the body by an inch to fit the Toyota hybrid system in it, and then they adjusted the cladding proportionally to mask it. So a CX-50 hybrid should be about an inch taller than a non-hybrid CX-50. As for seats, some people say they are fine while others say they are awful. They seem to be what Mazda wants, as they have been sticking with them. I would think the CX-50 hybrid and RAV4 hybrid would be identical in all respects, except for styling, and maybe the seats. Less cargo space, but that probably amounts to something like losing an inch of width or something similar that may seem minor in practice. It looked like the hybrid motor helped with the 0-60 time as expected, but still a bit slower than you might get elsewhere due to altitude's effect on the gas engine. Is the RAV4 any faster?
Thanks for sharing this, that makes sense. Yeah the RAV4 hybrids I’ve tested do 7.6-8.3 ish. So a bit faster than the heavier Mazda, but it’s still much quicker than the 10.4ish that the red one I posted a few days earlier could do at a similar altitude. Thanks for watching!
I just looked back at my GPS results… the slightly used and broken in RAV4 hybrid I reviewed did a 7.63, mine at 500 miles (on a wet road spinning) did a 8.19, and the CX-50 hybrid on a dry road did a 8.63 but its also not broken in. So chances are the RAV4 is up to but not greater than .4-1s faster. 🤷♂️🧐
If you are car shopping, definitely test drive a Mazda. They feel better than Toyotas and Hondas in both driving dynamics and premium interior design. According to CR, they have equal reliability, just not as good resale value (due to the lack of popularity).
You disparage the CX-50 AWD system. However... No drive shaft. No rear differential. No many other things to go wrong! There aren't many places I'd take the mechanical approach - such as in the Honda HR-V - over this.
As a Northeast Ohio resident, That cladding is for me and my rust belt people.
Seats are brutal, backbreaking 😡
Looks awesome 😊
I agree! Mazda seats are awful.
I found them to be on the firm side but quite comfortable.
I love the fact that Manufacturers are finally accepting the “If you can’t beat them, join them” attitude!
Love the combo Mazda body / Toyota engine combo. Subaru has a relation with Toyota also. The best of all worlds!
Absolutely!!
7:00 IIRC, if you access the center display, Home Screen>Information>Status> you can access the Battery status and the Electric/Gas flow patterns in real time.
Thanks for sharing this!! The Toyota also shows a bit more through its screen than I showed on camera.
How is camp mode engaged? I just traded my Volvo CX60 PHEV for this. Love the handling, seats and audio.
I think what car campers do is just leaving the car “running” but the engine only forest up periodically as needed. The viewer who mentioned this originally stated it runs only 8 minutes out of about every 30. Although I’m sure it varies depending on temperature demands.
Sat in one and the over the shoulder and when changing lanes the blind spots in the back windows and the very short rear window to see anything esp with the seats blocking part of the view.
Those are valid criticisms I own a turbo. It’s a great vehicle but not perfect.
I think you probably get use to the visibility with time spent in it, but like most sporty cars it leaves a bit to be desired haha.
Since you're on a roll with reviewing these RAV4 varients, how about doing a review on the Lexus NX? I'd be very interested in watching what you think of it, and it's comparison with the Rav4.
I love this suggestion, and I wish I could right now. The closest Lexus dealer is 1xx miles away, so I don’t have any connection to them (yet). Doing this as a regular part time thing while having a full time job makes traveling those distances tough. But I hope to drive and review and more diverse selection of brands in the future!
How does it feel around turns? Does it feel confident like an AWD car? Or just like a FWD (since the AWD is part time).
It feels good around town, but I think at speed or on off roams that turn it would not feel very good (similar to my RAV4). Today I posted a driving video in the rain, that might give you some good insight!
What is the cost of battery replacement with labor?
That’s a good question. The electrical stuff is covered for a long time, and battery components should get cheaper over time in comparison to the value of money. But I still wouldn’t expect a complete placement to cost more than at most $2-3k. It’s a tiny battery pack conveniently located, it shouldn’t cost a lot, but idk. 🤪🤷♂️
They should offer the rims from the Premium Plus on the standard Premium trim. Those rims are on the cheap looking side for a $40,000 crossover
That’s a good suggestion!
I think I saw you taking pictures of this car on Highway 93 just outside of Twin Falls the other day. Is that you?
Haha it probably was. 🤪
Why so the seats look like Rav4 seats? Can we compare them to non-hybrid CX-50 seats?
Can we also compare interior and cargo dimensions between this and the Rav? It seems smaller in every way.
You can Google all the interior specs. But in my mind what’s very noticeable is the interior volume with the rear seats folded down in the CX-50 is 59 cubic feet, and in the RAV4 it’s 70. On Sunday I’ll release my side by side comparison between this and my rav4.
@ Wow… that’s a giant difference.
I’m looking at the CX-50 Premium vs RAV4 XLE Premium and the interior material on the CX seems much nicer vs the RAV. The seat material in the CX seems more durable and refined. I saw where the 25 RAV 4 Hybrid combined mpg is now 39 vs CX 38. Also you have to add a number of packages for the RAV4 to match up with the CX. That runs $1k-1.5k more. The CX forces that darn panoramic sunroof on you. Still can’t decide which one to get. Availability and pricing will probably eventually decide it.
That’s definitely a tough decision! Tomorrow morning I’ll make public a comparison video of this and my RAV4. I will say a lot of Cx-50 owners think the seat bottoms are hard and don’t form well to the driver. So please test drive and keep that in mind before you financially commit to anything!
Nice look at this Mazda hybrid. Despite some peculiarities, I like it. What I really like is Toyota having a small steak in Mazda & Subaru. Giving them access to that 4 gen system. My understanding is there's not very much difference between the 4th gen and 5th gen hybrid systems. Other than the new one has slightly smaller lighter parts. Proving once again size doesn't ...
Haha yeah, very true. This driving experience sure was interesting and much different than any other Mazda I’ve driven.
Steak? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I mean they might have a small steak 🥩, but they at least have a small stake haha. Auto correct doesn’t seem to work very well in the comment section of YT videos.
23'-25 CRV hybrid may be a little more money, but it's better than them all. Simple and solid a better overall drive built the best.
I've driven both, and the Mazda is certainly more enjoyable to drive.
@HardBoiledGregADV yes madza is more enjoyable more sporty CRV more room & better gas mileage.
The bottom cladding is so wide all over because they had to raise the body by an inch to fit the Toyota hybrid system in it, and then they adjusted the cladding proportionally to mask it. So a CX-50 hybrid should be about an inch taller than a non-hybrid CX-50. As for seats, some people say they are fine while others say they are awful. They seem to be what Mazda wants, as they have been sticking with them. I would think the CX-50 hybrid and RAV4 hybrid would be identical in all respects, except for styling, and maybe the seats. Less cargo space, but that probably amounts to something like losing an inch of width or something similar that may seem minor in practice. It looked like the hybrid motor helped with the 0-60 time as expected, but still a bit slower than you might get elsewhere due to altitude's effect on the gas engine. Is the RAV4 any faster?
Thanks for sharing this, that makes sense. Yeah the RAV4 hybrids I’ve tested do 7.6-8.3 ish. So a bit faster than the heavier Mazda, but it’s still much quicker than the 10.4ish that the red one I posted a few days earlier could do at a similar altitude. Thanks for watching!
@AutomotiveAnonymous208 Interesting that the RAV4 can shave about a second off that 0-60 time. I guess the weight difference must be significant. 🤔
I just looked back at my GPS results… the slightly used and broken in RAV4 hybrid I reviewed did a 7.63, mine at 500 miles (on a wet road spinning) did a 8.19, and the CX-50 hybrid on a dry road did a 8.63 but its also not broken in. So chances are the RAV4 is up to but not greater than .4-1s faster. 🤷♂️🧐
If you are car shopping, definitely test drive a Mazda. They feel better than Toyotas and Hondas in both driving dynamics and premium interior design. According to CR, they have equal reliability, just not as good resale value (due to the lack of popularity).
You disparage the CX-50 AWD system. However... No drive shaft. No rear differential. No many other things to go wrong! There aren't many places I'd take the mechanical approach - such as in the Honda HR-V - over this.
Good point
That chrome trim near the back window sticks out like a sore thumb specially on dark color paints!
A lot of owners black it out. I think there are even pre-cut black vinyls you can buy just for that purpose.
Has a boxy, clunky look to it. CX-5 looks better IMO. Shame the CX-5 or CX-30 wasn't their first hybrid release in the USA.