It looks like we’re about the get into the Mazda hybrid service business. Mazda has announced their first hybrid offering, the 2025 CX-50 hybrid. The CX-5 and then the CX-50 have been very popular car is among our customer base, and a few people have asked if we we think it will be a good car. The answer is almost certainly yes, BUT that doesn’t necessarily mean you should buy one.
Let’s start with the good. The 2025 CX-50 is a Toyota RAV4 hybrid that has been rebadged. Toyota RAV4 hybrid is an awesome small hybrid SUV. So will the CX-50 be good? It’s pretty likely, unless Mazda somehow messes it up with their tweaks designed make is meet “Mazda’s performance and driving dynamics standards”. My guess is they won’t change much, but who knows.
Now the bad. It’s possible this new model will run with Mazda’s MDARS software and Mazda scan tool, but my guess is they will probably go with the Toyota Tech stream software since one of their OBDII interfaces is the same that Toyota uses, the Mongoose MFC3. If they go with the Techstream, we’ll be set. We have several and we are expert in their use.
Will we service the new Mazda hybrid?
Since this Mazda hybrid is really a Toyota hybrid, and that’s what we know better than anything else, the answer is yes. I imagine that going forward Mazda will introduce more hybrid models, and I’d also guess that they will use Toyota’s technology, which is the best in my opinion (and everyone else’s since they sell more hybrids than any other brand).
The Mazda / Toyota connection
Mazda is using Toyota’s hybrid technology because it’s the best, but Mazda also has some serious engineering prowess. In 2017 Mazda announced they had made an HCCI (homogeneous charge compression ignition) engine that worked. An HCCI is basically a diesel that runs on gasoline. It gets 20% – 30% better fuel economy than a standard spark plug engine, but without the nasty emissions of a diesel engine. The 2019 Mazda 3 was the first vehicle to sport this tech.
In 2015 and then again 2017, Toyota bought Mazda stock. They currently own about 5% of Mazda and given the timing of the purchase, I’d guess that it’s because of Mazda’s engine design breakthrough. One of the issues with HCCI is that the spark-less ignition only works under low load conditions. This might make it a good choice to pair with a hybrid system in future Mazda hybrids, since the hybrid system could reduce the load on the engine and allow it to run in HCCI mode.
In the future I imagine that we will service Mazda hybrid models that are uniquely Mazda but license Toyota technology. I’m interested to see what they do with it. Mazda makes some good looking cars that are fun to drive.
Should you buy a Mazda hybrid?
Ok, back to the present. Should you buy a Mazda hybrid now?
If you think the styling is just way better than the RAV4, then maybe. But there are some things to consider. First, Mazda’s support (parts, training, information, tools, and other things mechanics need to fix cars) is ok, but Toyota’s is second to none. Second, any time a car is rebadged, the support for that car is worse from the manufacturer than it is for their actual products. Third, Toyota sold about 200,000 RAV4 hybrids in the US last year alone. The more units that sell, the better the long term support will be. The part you need is less likely to be discontinued and it’s more likely there will be aftermarket options. Servicing your Mazda hybrid may be a little more challanging that if you had purchased the RAV4