Car Reviews Archives

2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 To Pace Indianapolis 500

by Mark | Apr 20, 2025 | 0 comments

A Torch Red metallic 2023 Corvette Z06 will pace the 107th Indianapolis 500 race on May 28

The Chevrolet Corvette has paced ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ more times than any car. The 2023 race marks the 34th time for Chevrolet to pace dating back to 1948 and the 20th time overall and since 1978. (Photo by Chris Owens)

BY MARK MAYNARD

The 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500 — “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” — is “Back Home Again” on Sunday, May 28.

Presented by Gainbridge, NBC Sports will provide live coverage of the Indianapolis 500 beginning at 9 a.m. ET (Noon Pacific) Sunday, May 28
. Coverage will include a bonus two hours of streaming before the race begins on the Peacock streaming platform.

There will be 33 cars on the field this year by Chevrolet and Honda.

Katherine Legge, 42, is the lone female in the pack. Driving for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in the No. 44 Honda, the British-born Legge will start in row 10, the 30th position.

According to a report by Scott Horner of the Indianapolis Star, Legge crashed into Stefan Wilson Monday, May 22, during Indianapolis 500 practice.

Wilson suffered a fractured vertebra in Monday’s crash, which required surgery on Wednesday night, wrote Charles Bradley of Motorsport.com. Wilson is determined to make a full recovery and return to contest the race next year with his Cusick Motorsports/Dreyer and Reinbold team, he wrote in the online report.

Legge was cleared by medical personnel to compete on Sunday. She returned to the track in her repaired Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing car and was 29th fastest in Friday’s final practice on Carb Day, per Bradley Motorsport.com.

Wilson, a Chevrolet driver for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, was replaced by veteran driver Graham Rahal.

Legge is just the ninth woman ever to compete in the Indianapolis 500.

Race Day Countdown

All times are Pacific Standard, or 3 hours ahead of Indianapolis:

11:45 a.m.: Borg Warner trophy march to the Bricks; departing from the IMS Museum;

Noon-12:30: Cars to Pit Lane;

1:30 p.m.: Cars to grid on front straight;

2:47 p.m.: Driver introductions; Trackside Yard of Bricks Stage

3:18 p.m.: Invocation; trackside Yard of Bricks Stage;

3:24 p.m.: Jewel sings the national anthem;

3:36 p.m.: Jim Cornelison singing the Hoosier state’s favorite anthem, “Back Home Again In Indiana”;

3:38 p.m.: Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Roger Penske will command drivers to start engines.

3:45 p.m.: Green flag drops.

2023 Indy 500 Corvette Z06 Pace Car

For the first time in the storied history of “America’s sports car,” a hardtop convertible Chevrolet Corvette Z06 will lead the field to the green flag.

Corvette is the longest-running car nameplate in automotive industry history, and the Corvette has paced “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” more times than any car. The 2023 race marks the 34th time for Chevrolet to pace, dating back to 1948.

This year’s Corvette Z06 Pace Car exterior is two-tone Red Mist Metallic and Jet Black. The interior in Sky Cool Gray has Torch Red accents. Spider-design forged aluminum wheels are finished in Tech Bronze.

The 2023 Corvette Z06 is set apart from the rest of the lineup by its 670 horsepower, 5.5-liter LT6 V-8, and 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. Chevrolet says the LT6 V-8 is the highest-horsepower, naturally aspirated V-8 in any production car.

Helping to keep the Z06 pace car flying low is the Carbon Aero package. It provides 734 pounds of downforce at 186 mph, more than any other Corvette.

Expect to spend around $150,000 if you’d like to re-create a 2023 Corvette Z06 in the image of the pace car.

Get the Indy 500 schedule here.

Ford Mustangs That Never Were

by Mark | Apr 16, 2025 | 0 comments

16 concepts and design sketches of proposed Ford Mustang variants

The first-generation Ford Mustang in Wimbledon White. (Photography courtesy of Ford PR archives)

BY MARK MAYNARD

It was 61 years ago on April 17, 1964, that the Ford Mustang debuted at the World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows, New York. It was an immediate sales success — but there were many concepts, design studies, and prototypes that were considered along the way. Some of those were codenamed the “Bruce Jenner” and the “Rambo,” and there was a station wagon, a four-door, and a two-seater body style.

Ford Motor completely redesigned the Mustang for 2024, and it is now in its seventh generation. The company says its venerable pony car is the most exhilarating and visceral yet.

“Investing in another generation of Mustang is a big statement at a time when many of our competitors are exiting the business of internal combustion vehicles,” said Jim Farley, CEO of Ford Motor Company. “Ford, however, is turbocharging its ICE growth plan, adding connected technology, opinionated derivatives, and hybrid options to our most profitable and popular cars — all in the Ford Blue family — on top of investing $50 billion in electric vehicles through 2026.”

According to Ford’s internal data, the United States remains home to the strongest demand for Mustang, representing 76 percent of global sales. Other markets that saw growth in Mustang sales in 2021 include New Zealand, up 54.3 percent, Brazil, up 37.3 percent, and South Korea, up 16.6 percent.

Here are some images and captions from the Ford Motor archives that show some of the ideas that were considered. Most were wisely resisted.

1965 Mustang Four-Door

While Mustang used the platform of the compact Falcon as its starting point, the four-door Mustang could have brought the idea full circle by adding two doors to the pony car. Fortunately for Mustang fans, cooler heads prevailed.

1966 Mustang Station Wagon

In the mid-1960s, Ford designers considered at least a couple of different concepts for a Mustang station wagon, with at least one running prototype based on a 1966 coupe getting built. Another design study included elements for refreshed models that were coming later that decade. All of the known Mustang wagons were three-doors that were closer to a European “shooting brake” than a traditional American family station wagon.

1961 Avventura, Avanti, Allegro Concepts

From late 1961 into mid-1962, Ford designers tried out a wide range of themes for a sporty coupe based on the platform of the new Falcon compact. Each design was given an internal name for the purpose of discussion. One fastback design actually went through at least three different names starting with Avventura before moving on to Avanti and finally Allegro. The fastback design was originally sketched with a hatchback and rear-facing second-row seat. While this car never made it to production, a variation of the fastback profile was eventually adopted as the third body style for Mustang.

Avanti/Allegro Concept

As Avventura moved from sketch to physical design model, the hatch was replaced with a trunk and the rear seat was switched to a more conventional forward-facing orientation. Originally shown internally as Avanti, the name was eventually changed to Allegro, likely because Studebaker had introduced its own production Avanti coupe around the same time.

1962 Allegro Design Study

In 1962, the design team, led by Gene Bordinat, worked on several iterations of another design called Allegro. While the production 1965 Mustang was a very different car in almost every visual detail from Allegro, the design study established the basic proportions that would define most Mustangs for the next five decades. The notchback coupe had the same long-hood, short-deck layout with a compact greenhouse that would roll out of the Rouge factory two years later.

The Millionth Mustang

For the 1966 celebration of the millionth Mustang produced: Airline pilot Capt. Stanley Tucker, the owner of the first ordered Mustang, with Ford design chief Gene Bordinat (left), Ford President Lee Iacocca, product manager Donald Frey and an unnamed Ford exec.

1967 Allegro II Concept

In 1967, Ford designers decided to reprise one of the original Mustang design concepts from 1962 with a new form and repurposed name. Starting with the Avanti/Allegro fastback coupe, the greenhouse was removed and replaced with a low-cut speedster-style windshield, roll bar, flying buttresses on the rear deck, and a new rear end. The reworked concept was dubbed Allegro II.

1967 Mach 2 Concept

With the Mustang having already set sales records following its launch in 1964, Ford design chief Gene Bordinat and the Special Vehicles Group decided to try rearranging the pieces for the Mach 2 concept. The 289 Hi-Po V-8 was shifted from the front to behind the two seats to evaluate the layout as a possible successor to the Shelby Cobra. Despite its midengine layout, the Mach 2 retained the long-hood, short-deck proportions of a Mustang. Unfortunately, the Mach 2 never went much beyond the auto-show circuit.

1966 Mustang Mach I Concept

The two-position hatchback was intended to accommodate longer objects in a near-horizontal position or open wider for cargo loading.

1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Engine

1966 Mach 1 Concept

As the first-generation model transitioned from a pony car to a larger and heavier big-block muscle car, the Mach 1 concept was created as a preview of the 1968 model. The original nose of the concept drew inspiration from the 1963 Mustang II concept.

1970 Mustang Milano

First shown publicly at the February 1970, Chicago Auto Show, the Mustang Milano concept previewed the nearly horizontal rear deck and sharp, extended nose that would be seen on the production 1971 model. However, aside from those two elements, the Milano didn’t really bear much resemblance to any production Mustang. In fact, the car that probably drew most heavily on the Milano profile was the Australian-market Falcon XB coupe of the mid-1970s.

‘Bruce Jenner’ design study

In 1990, Ford designers evaluated a number of themes to replace the long-running third-generation Mustang. The notchback and hatchback body styles would be replaced with a single fastback coupe format. After departing from many of the original design cues on the third-generation models, the upcoming fourth-generation would return elements like the galloping pony in the grille, the side scoops and the tri-bar taillamps. This softer concept, known as “Bruce Jenner” wasn’t considered aggressive enough to be a Mustang.

‘Rambo’ Design Study

This alternative proposal dubbed, “Rambo,” was deemed too extreme for production.

1980 Mustang RSX Concept

1961-62 Two-Seater Studies

Early in the gestation of the original Mustang, Ford designers considered a number of two-seater studies. These were seen as a more affordable return to the roots of Thunderbird, which by this time had grown into a much larger four-seater. The idea of a two-seat Mustang was something designers returned to frequently in the period between the original Mustang 1 concept and the 1992 Mach III. Aside from some track-oriented Mustangs that had the rear seats removed to save weight, there has never been a strictly two-seat production Mustang.

Kia K4 Review

by Mark | Apr 4, 2025 | 0 comments

The 2025 Kia K4 is a decisive stab into the heart of the compact-sedan segment

The 2025 Kia Kr sedan in an attractive sage green being driven on a city street

The 2025 Kia K4 compact sedan has starting prices of $23,165 to $29,265 for the GT-Line Turbo, the sportiest K4 to date. (Photography courtesy of Kia or as credited)

Jump To Special Features

Disruptor Design
2025 Kia K4 Pricing
Turbo Performance
Observations and Considerations
Interior Tech
Why Buy the 2025 Kia K4?
Specifications

BY MARK MAYNARD

The 2025 Kia K4 compact is a new nameplate backed by four generations of family ties. The ancestry of this small sedan goes back to its great, great, great grandparent, the Kia Sephia. It was the brand’s first automotive export to the U.S. from South Korea.

The fledgling Sephia was cheap — and not just inexpensive. The 1994 Kia Sephia was a $10,000 econobox advertised to be used, abused, and thrown out after the warranty expired. Back then, Kia’s new-vehicle warranty was 3-year/36,000-mile. Today, the warranty is 5 years/60,000 miles and 10 years/100,000 miles for powertrain coverage.

Four years later, Sephia — derived from the Greek “sapphire” — was redesigned for a short-lived second generation. It was replaced in 2000 and renamed Spectra, which would be redesigned and renamed Kia Forte.

Fourteen years and three generations later, the Forte was retired in 2024 and replaced by the K4. The alphanumeric nameplate now aligns with Kia’s passenger car nomenclature.

It’s such a long and winding road for such a small but significant car for Kia. Each generation builds upon the predecessor for the most dynamically styled and equipped fourth-generation 2025 K4. And a five-door hatchback is coming in late 2025.

Looking at the K4 front seat area from the back seat

The K4 has comfortable shoulder room and an open-air environment.

The K4’s Disruptor Design

Among the K4 competitors are the Honda Civic, Mazda3, Toyota Corolla, and VW Jetta. It is evident that Kia benchmarked the Civic and went just a bit farther in developing the K4. The Honda Civic was the bestselling compact car in 2024, with around 242,000 cars sold. Annual sales of the 2024 Kia Forte totaled 106,050.

Kia says the K4 is the widest in the compact sedan segment and has the largest footprint. Its overall body design is distinct, with sleek aerodynamics. It is a breakaway design from the typical sedan body style. It shares its styling influence with the upcoming Kia EV4 battery-electric.

The K4 sedan has an overall length of 185.4 inches and is 72.8 inches wide. Front headroom is SUV tall at 39 inches without a sunroof or 37.3 inches with. Rear passengers have a class-leading 38 inches of legroom. Trunk space of 14.6 cubic feet is surpassed only by the Honda Civic at 14.8 cu.ft.

“By juxtaposing the K4’s fastback roofline and wide stance, we split the difference visually between the compact and midsize segments,” said Tom Kearns, chief designer, Kia Design Center America.

Exterior design elements include:

Vertically oriented LED headlights and taillights. The treatment is taken from the flagship EV9, re-creating sharp edges and bold lighting designs front and rear.

Hidden rear door handles in the C-pillar. The stealth handle placement is intended to emphasize the K4’s fastback proportions and its swept-back stance.

Rear sail panel. The K4’s rear quarter panel rises above the beltline to create a flying buttress (sail panel) treatment at the roofline. The sail panel’s angle meets the roof’s fastback slope for a contiguous style statement.

The K4 has a hidden rear door handle in the C-pillar.

The hidden rear door handle in the C-pillar.

2025 Kia K4 Pricing

The 2025 Kia K4 compact sedan is sold in five trim levels, with two four-cylinder engine choices and two transmissions. All trim levels are front-wheel drive, with no all-wheel-drive option. The suggested retail pricing below includes the $1,175 freight charge from Pesqueria, Mexico.

The K4 LX, LXS, EX, and GT-Line, with a base powertrain of a 147-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and CVT, start at $23,165 to $26,365. The GT-Line Turbo starts at $29,265.

Find current Kia K4 pricing here.

And check for special offers and incentives here.

The base K4 LX is well equipped with such features as:

12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment screen with Kia Connect and satellite radio
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Smart Key with push-button start
4 USB-C charging ports
Cloth seat upholstery
Bluetooth wireless phone and music with multi-device connectivity
Electric parking brake with auto-hold
Heated side mirrors
Rearview monitor

Vertically oriented Cube Projection LED headlights.

K4 GT-Line

Moving up to the K4 GT-line ($26,365) gives the look of the GT-line Turbo without the power. GT-Line features include:

GT-Line sport steering wheel with paddle shifters
Multilink rear suspension
Unique exterior and interior design
Black treatment to side mirrors, window surround, wheel moldings
1-inch larger rear disc brake rotors
18-inch alloy wheels with black machined finish
GT-Line interior features include:
SynTex and cloth seat upholstery
Heated front seats
10-Way power driver’s seat with two-way power lumbar
Wireless Phone Charger

Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo

The Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo ($29,265) is the sportiest K4 to date. It ups performance with a 190-hp, turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission. Other K4 GT-Line Turbo upgrades include:

1-inch larger front and rear disc brakes. (16-inch ventilated front rotors, 15-inch solid rear rotors)
Multilink rear suspension
LED Cube Projection Headlights, LED Tail Lights, and LED Fog Lights
Wide sunroof with power sunshade
SynTex upholstery with heated front seats
Alloy sport pedals
8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system

Today’s Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo tester costs $32,155, with options for Snow White Pearl paint, $395, and red interior package, $295. That’s a head-turning option for the handsome red on seats, portions of the steering wheel, and door panels.

Another worthwhile option on the tester is the GT-Line Turbo Technology Package, $2,200. It completes the driver-assist technologies for Level 2 semi-autonomous driving. The package includes:

FCA Fusion+ for Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
Parking Distance Warning — front, rear, and side
Blind-spot view monitor (shown in the garage array in the dials for speed and rpms when signaling left or right)
Two memory presets for driver seat and side mirrors
Ventilated front seats
Multicolor ambient lighting
Smartphone Digital Key 2.0

The K4 gauge display has large graphics that aid at-a-glance views.

Large graphics help with at-a-glance views.

K4 Safety Features and Technologies

All K4 models have eight airbags, including standard rear side airbags. Standard driver-assist technologies include:

Auto Emergency Braking Technology w/ Pedestrian & Cyclist Detection
Intelligent Speed Limit Assist
Smart Cruise Control with stop-and-go
Lane keeping and following technologies
High beam assist

The GT-Line Turbo’s 190-hp, turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder.

2024 Kia K4 Powertrains

Base K4 models have a 147-horsepower Atkinson-cycle 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with multi-point injection. The transmission is an Intelligent Variable Transmission (CVT) that simulates eight speeds.

The entry LX’s fuel-sipping mileage estimates are 30/40/34 mpg, dropping a blink to 29/39/33 mpg for the better-equipped EX and GT-Line.

The GT-Line Turbo has a 190-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with a conventional (stepped) eight-speed automatic transmission.

GT-Line Turbo mileage estimates are 29/36/29 mpg using the recommended 87 octane fuel. In my 200-mile test week, I saw city fuel economy in the high 20s. I worked up to 38.7 mpg on the highway, which might have crept higher on longer commutes. Some owners have reported highway mileage of 48.3 mpg.

At 36 mpg highway, the daily commuter could expect a range of nearly 500 miles from the 12.4-gallon tank.

18-inch Kumho Majesty grand touring tires with black machined finish wheels.

GT-Line Turbo Performance

The Turbo motor purrs at idle and never sounds harsh at highway speeds.

Driving in Normal power mode is focused on fuel economy with dutiful acceleration. Once I figured out that driving in Sport mode did not greatly impact my fuel economy, I never looked back. Sport sharpens throttle uptake for quicker starts from a stop.

At 70 mph, the Turbo engine spins at a reasonable 2,000 rpm. Cruising at 65 mph, the rpms are at a lanky 1,800 rpm, benefiting fuel economy.

The GT-Line Turbo performance does not provoke red-mist hooliganism. However, the car is well set up for enthusiastic driving. It puts its nose to the road to pull capably through fun cornering.

While there are paddle shifters, I did not feel the need to play Ricky Racer. But when I was out clipping corners, I did wish for a higher calling of Sport-plus mode. I wanted to use those paddle shifters to grab a lower gear with a hearty throttle blip to carry me through the turn.

The performance mode switch in the base of the steering wheel

A convenient performance-mode switch to toggle between Normal and Sport.

GT-Line Turbo Ride and Handling

The side mirrors, which are offset from the body, offer open cornering views. The Turbo’s 18-inch wheels make the turning circle maneuverable at 36 to 37 feet. With the base 16-inch wheels, the span drops to 35.1 feet.

A notable asset of the GT-Line Turbo is its rear multilink suspension. It is more responsive in cornering than the dutiful torsion-beam axle in the non-turbo models. All K4 models have hydraulic twin-tube, gas-charged shock absorbers.

Highway cruising is settled and comfortable, but the multilink has the mettle for enthusiastic driving. It blends well-damped ride control with fluid weight transfers when diving into and out of corners. At times, the front suspension gave agile responses, but wow, hitting a pothole head-on returns a shocking jolt. More than once, I glanced at the gauge display for a possible blown tire. There was none.

While tearing up a backroad, there was no squawky complaining from the 18-inch Kumho Majesty grand touring tires. There is no distracting tire noise or harshness transferred to the cabin. These are all-season grand touring tires with a treadwear warranty of 6 years or 45,000 miles. Replacements will cost around $220 per tire.

K4 curb weights range from 2,956 pounds for the lower trims to 3,283 pounds for the loaded GT-Line Turbo. Bigger brakes, wheels, and an independent rear suspension add weight to the Turbo model.

The wide view of the 360 degree back up camera

The 360-degree rearview camera. (Mark Maynard photo)

Highway Driving Assist 2

Kia’s Highway Driving Assist 2 provides reliable and trustworthy Level 2 semi-autonomous driving. Lane centering is accurate and steers confidently through highway turns, with few transgressions over the white lines.

HDA2 is enabled with the GT-Line Turbo Technology Package, $2,200. It includes a worthwhile grouping of Smartphone Digital Key, two driver’s seat memory presets, ventilated front seats, a surround view monitor, a blind spot view monitor, and multicolor ambient lighting.

A proper shift lever and some of the largest adjustable cup holders in a small car.

Interior Function

The Kia K4 is a compact that packs midsize substance. It has comfortable shoulder room and an open-air environment. Front headroom is 39 inches, or 37.1, with a sunroof. Front legroom is long, too, at 42.3 inches.

Settle into the driver’s seat for hours-long support without aggressive and confounding side and bottom bolsters. Among the 10-way power adjustments is seat-bottom tilt, not typically applied to small cars.

The rearview camera has 360-degree views, including overhead.

The GT-Line steering wheel has heft and padding where needed for a comfortable grip. The flat top opens sightlines at the base of the windshield, and the flat bottom gives thigh room.

Kia layered on the soundproofing. The treatment helps calm the cabin with dual-layer carpet and acoustic tires on the GT-Line models. An acoustic windshield is also available on the GT-Line Turbo and in the GT-Line Premium package.

Over-the-air updates are possible using the Kia Access app or through the Kia owner’s portal.

The tester came with the optional $175 floor mats, which are of good quality.

Looking at the wireless charging pad at the front of the shifter console

The wireless charging pad and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Observations and Considerations

There are old-school mechanical release levers for the trunk and fuel door. However, I do not like Kia’s Smart Trunk, the hands-free opener. Just stand at the trunk with key in pocket or purse, and the trunk gives a three-second chime before opening. Apparently, I walk too slowly because the very responsive trunk calibrations triggered an opening every time I walked past. However, the Smart Trunk has its moments, such as when walking up with multiple grocery bags in the rain. Fortunately, the Smart Trunk, a standard feature, can be canceled in the user settings.

When it rains, water droplets collect on the fast slope of the back window, complicating views through the dappled glass. Understandably, there is no rear wiper-washer, but the upcoming hatchback model will sweep away that situation.

With the bounty of features in the GT-Line Turbo, there is no heated steering wheel.

Rear AC outlets only on the GT-Line Turbo. Kia says the GT-Line Turbo was designed to appeal to midsize sedan shoppers who are OK with a slightly smaller vehicle. So the feature set aligns more with the midsize sedan segment. “None of our compact sedan competitors offer rear A/C vents on any trim,” Kia says.

The GT-Line Turbo has SynTex upholstery with heated front seats. And GT-Line embossing, below.

Interior Tech

Upper trim levels of the K4 get the impressive Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC). The multi-segment display cockpit spans nearly 30 inches of digital display, another trickle-down from the EV9. A Quick Controls function for frequently used features works with a swipe on the screen.

The broad screenage makes a bold statement, divided into three unequal sections. However, it would be helpful if the sections could be moved around. The steering wheel obscures the left-side segment for heat-temp-AC control. The placement is of no consequence for right-hand-drive models. In this country, however, having to peer around the wheel to make adjustments gets old quickly.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all K4 models.

Use the Kia Connect voice assistant and say “Hey Kia” to access functions such as climate control and audio.

The K4 has a Connected Car Navigation Cockpit spans nearly 30 inches of digital display.

The Connected Car Navigation Cockpit spans nearly 30 inches of digital display.

Back Seat and Trunk Space

For ride-share drivers, the rear legroom is a long 38 inches, which eases entry and exit. The seatback has a comfortable angle, but there is no seatback recline.

The GT-Line Turbo is unique in that it has rear AC vents, which are not provided on any other trim. Passengers will appreciate that feature and the dual charging USBs just below the vents.

Rear leg room is a long 38 inches, easing entry and exit.

There is a lot of trunk space at 14.6 cubic feet, but the trunk lid opens to just 16 inches. Fortunately, most luggage roller bags can be shoved in, but bigger bags will go to the back seat. Fold the 60/40 seatback for about 6 1/2 feet in length.

Luggage capacity of 14.6 cubic feet is limited by the trunk’s narrow opening of 16 inches. A temporary spare fits below the trunk floor. (Mark Maynard photo)

Why Buy the 2025 Kia K4?

Kia has created a segment disruptor with its K4. Compact sedans are a value purchase, but the K4 injects creative zhuzh — at a value price.

The 2025 Kia K4 will chew into Civic sales, but dethroning the segment champ will take time. The only things the K4 needs to challenge the Civic capably are a hatchback body style, a hybrid powertrain, and a hot version of the GT-Line Turbo.

Tap into the K4 owners’ group, k4owners.com.

The K4 exterior styling has aerodynamic smoothness that hints at hybrid-tech. The Kia K4 is a resounding stab into the heart of the compact sedan segment.

2025 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo Specifications

Body style: 4-door, 5-seat front-wheel-drive compact sedan

Engine: 190-hp 1.6-liter gasoline direct injection 4-cylinder; 195 lb.-ft. torque at 1,700-4,500 rpm

Transmission: 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters

Top speed: 130 mph

Fuel economy: 26/36/29 city/hwy/combined; 87 octane recommended

Coefficient of drag: 0.27 Cd

BY THE NUMBERS

Fuel tank: 12.4 gallons

Trunk space: 14.6 cubic feet

Front head/leg room: 37.1*/42.3 inches *w/sunroof

Rear head/leg room: 37/38 inches

Length/wheelbase: 185.4/107.1 inches

Curb weight: 3,283 pounds

Turning circle: 35.1 feet

FEATURES

Standard K4 GT-Line Turbo equipment includes: power sunroof with sunshade, LED Headlights-fog lights-combination taillights, SynTex upholstery, Harmon Kardon audio system, alloy sport pedals, rear air vents

Safety features include: Eight air bags (including standard rear side bags), auto emergency braking pedestrian and cyclist detection, smart cruise control with stop and go, Lane keeping and following, high beam assist

CHASSIS COMPONENTS

Brakes: Hydraulic, vacuum power-assisted 4-wheel discs; front, 16-inch ventilated rotors; rear, 15-inch solid rotors

Steering: Column-mounted, motor driven power assist (C-MDPS)

Tires-wheels: 18-inch all-season grand touring Kumho Majesty 9 Solus TA91, 235/40R; black alloy wheels

Suspension: front MacPherson struts; rear, multilink; hydraulic twin-tube, gas-charged shock absorbers (all trim levels)

PRICING

Base price: $29,265, including $1,175 freight charge; price as tested $32,155

Options on test vehicle: Snow White Pearl paint $395; GT-Line red interior color package $295; GT-Line Turbo Technology Package $2,200

Where assembled: Pesqueria, Mexico

Warranties: 5-years/60,000-miles bumper to bumper with roadside assistance; 10-years/100,000-miles powertrain

Racing! April 5 Honda Cars, Bikes & Coffee Show

by Mark | Mar 13, 2025 | 0 comments

Bimonthly Cars, Bikes & Coffee Shows are an enthusiasts’ open house at the American Honda Collection Hall in Torrance, Calif.

Enthusiasts at The entrance to the American Honda Collection Hall in Torrance, Calif.

The entrance to the American Honda Collection Hall in Torrance, Calif. (Photos courtesy of American Honda)

BY MARK MAYNARD

Honda is powered up for its April 5 Cars, Coffee & Bikes show at American Honda headquarters, 1919 Torrance Boulevard, Torrance, CA 90501. The show is themed “Racing” and will be a celebration of all forms of auto and powersports racing. It is also the kick-off party for the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach — held the following weekend — which American Honda sponsors.

“We’ll have the biggest display of Honda and Acura auto and Honda motorcycle race vehicles yet,” said Carl C. Pulley, Honda Heritage Public Relations. Six HRC Supercross and Motocross championship bikes will be on view.

Participants can drive their own race car, bike, or other performance vehicle in the Parade of Performance.

A Racing Showcase

The April 5 bimonthly gathering of enthusiasts — Honda and non-Honda — will showcase a significant collection of race vehicles. The event honors the 75th year of Formula One, the 60th anniversary of Honda’s first F1 race win, and the 50th running of the Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Among the special exhibits and activities will be:

Ayrton Senna’s 1992 McLaren MP4/7 F1 racecar
Current Red Bull Racing F1 display racecar
Current Honda IndyCar display racecar
Acura ARX-05 IMSA racecar
Acura NSX GT3 racecar
Honda Baja Ridgeline race truck
Ricky Carmichael’s 2004 450 MX Champ (First CRF450R championship)
Jett Lawrence’s 2021 250 MX champ
Hunter Lawrence’s 2023 250 SX east/MX champ
Chase Sexton’s 2023 450 SX champ
Jett Lawrence’s 2023 450 MX champ (Perfect Season)
Jett Lawrence’s 2024 450 SX champ

There will also be an IndyCar photo-op where attendees can get behind the wheel of a vintage Lola racecar to take photos. A racing simulator will show the Long Beach Grand Prix circuit.

Honda 0 Series Prototypes On View

Also featured will be the first public showing of the Honda 0 Series Saloon and SUV Prototypes. Production versions of the new 0 Series line of battery electric vehicles are expected to launch in North America in 2026, followed by global markets. Both midsize models will be built at the Honda EV Hub in Ohio.

The interior of the SUV prototype illustrates the company’s direction to offer a new value for its future Honda 0 Series EVs as a “space” for people. Both sedan and SUV will debut automated driving technologies backed by Honda’s Level 3 automated driving technology. Honda says the technology is “highly reliable.”

A nose to nose image of the futuristic looking Honda 0 prototype SUV and sedan

Honda 0 Saloon & Honda 0 SUV prototypes.

Honda C&C

The themed bimonthly shows get an average of 2,500 attendees, including entrance to the Honda museum, a live DJ, food trucks, free coffee, and special exhibits.

“The Feb. 15 show broke a record with 3,900 people showing up,” Pulley said. “The addition was most likely due to the Trailsport Adventure off-road ride-along experience in the new 2026 Passport Trailsport.”

Those attending also get free admittance to the American Honda Collection Hall.

The 20,000-square-foot museum space presents a timeline of American Honda vehicles and corporate growth since its U.S. start in 1959. More than 60 vehicles from Honda and Acura are on view, including motorcycles, power products, engines, and racing machines. The Collection Hall displays will be updated several times a year to highlight different products and themes.

The collection hall is in Honda’s U.S. headquarters lobby, 1919 Torrance Blvd., Torrance, CA 90501.

the Acura ARX-05 IMSA racecar at speed on a track.

#6 Acura Team Penske Acura DPi, DPi: Juan Pablo Montoya, Dane Cameron

Upcoming 2025 Cars, Bikes & Coffee Shows

June 21: “Summer’s Here” car and bike fun in the sun

Aug. 16: “Heritage & Museums” old-school cool

Oct. 18: “Customizing” Halloween/Día de los Muertos special

Dec. 13: “Clubs & Community” holiday event with toy drive

IF YOU GO

The American Honda Collection Hall is at 1919 Torrance Boulevard, Torrance, CA 90501. Gates to the American Honda parking lot open at 7:30 a.m., with activities beginning at 9 a.m.

Learn more about the shows and the collection hall here.

Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Review

by Mark | Mar 11, 2025 | 0 comments

Attention to detail and value pricing separate the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid from competitors, but hybridization missed the Mazda zoom-zoom

An Ingot Blue Mazda CX-50 Hybrid SUV crossover at a marina boat launch

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid is sold in three trim levels with starting prices ranging from $35,390 to $41,470. Today’s tester is this Ingot Blue Metallic 2025 CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus, with no added packages or accessories, for $41,470. (Mark Maynard photography)

Jump To Special Features

CX-50 or CX-5?
Hybridization: It’s Complicated
Standard Features per Dollar
Mazda Dependability Rises
A Missing Link for Greatness
CX-50 Hybrid Powertrain and Fuel Economy Ratings
CX-50 Special Assets and Considerations
EV Mode
Why Buy the 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid?
Specifications

BY MARK MAYNARD

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 is a good, honest SUV crossover engineered for long-term ownership. The compact-class CX-50 has many endearing details, making it an ideal family or adventure SUV. Of special interest to car shoppers will be the new Mazda CX-50 Hybrid, with claimed fuel-sipping highway mileage of 37 mpg.

The Mazda CX-50 is a milestone joint venture with Toyota. The two Japanese car companies shook hands on a partnership deal in 2015. It gives vital support to Mazda Motor Corp., which is still the sole owner of the Mazda brand. Vehicle development is costly, and both manufacturers have found synergies for growth. The comprehensive plan is to develop electric vehicles, connected car innovations, and advanced safety technologies jointly.

The alliance has provided Mazda with Toyota’s hybrid system for the 2025 CX-50. And the two companies built the new Mazda Toyota Manufacturing plant in Huntsville, Ala. Construction began in 2018 and was completed in 2021. So far, the Mazda CX-50 and Toyota Corolla Cross have been built there. Other cost savings will be met by supplying each other with components and shared technologies.

The CX-50 interior layout is ergonomically designed and straightforward to use.

CX-50 or CX-5?

Based on the front-wheel-drive Mazda3 and the CX-30, the CX-50 is sold alongside the slightly smaller CX-5. When the bigger and more refined CX-50 debuted for 2022, it was expected that the CX-5 would be phased out. However, that has not occurred. The less expensive CX-5 is still racking up big sales (popular in rental fleets), making it the brand’s top-selling model. As a separator, marketing for the larger CX-50 presents it as an off-road adventure vehicle.

Competitors to the Mazda CX-50 include the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester, Kia Sportage, and Toyota RAV4.

The CX-50 Hybrid, however, has fewer competitors, which include the Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, and Mitsubishi Outlander. And like Subaru, all Mazda CX-50 models are all-wheel drive.

Analog gauges are bold and bright.

It’s Complicated

Mazda offers a variety of hybrid and plug-in vehicles in the U.S., including the CX-30, CX-70, and CX-90. However, the CX-50 Hybrid was complicated. Creating an affordable family-class small SUV with Mazda Zoom and great fuel economy is not easy. One of those factors got pinched in adapting Toyota’s hybrid system.

I like Mazda’s philosophy of engineering vehicles for a horse-and-rider bond of control. It is flank-slapping enjoyable in the CX-50 2.5 Turbo model, but the horse escaped the barn for the CX-50 Hybrid. It is more of a workhorse for fuel economy than spirited driving.

Most buyers shopping for a small, hybrid SUV look for styling, features per dollar, and fuel economy. They might not notice or care about this hybrid’s dutiful driving attitude. However, there are a few other compromises to the CX-50 Hybrid that don’t make horse sense, especially for its near-$40,000 starting price.

The CX-50 has the styling. The CX-50 Hybrid is packed with desirable features. However, I was not able to achieve the official fuel economy ratings.

But above all, there is no denying Mazda reliability.

Looking up through the panorama roof, viewed from the front seats rearward to the rest of the vehicle

A panoramic moonroof is standard on the CX-50 Hybrid.

Mazda Dependability Rises

Mazda USA has risen to the No.2 position in the latest J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study. The brand earned notable recognition for several models.

With a score of 161 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), Mazda has improved by 24 PP100 from the previous year. Mazda has advanced by four positions in the mass market segment.

The 2022 Mazda CX-9 has been recognized as one of the top three vehicles in the Upper Midsize SUV category. The 2022 Mazda CX-5 earned a top 3 spot in the Compact SUV category.

“We’re pleased to see Mazda’s commitment to quality and reliability reflected in our strong performance in this year’s J.D. Power study,” said Mazda North American Operations President and CEO Tom Donnelly. “This recognition, coupled with the improved ranking across the brand, speaks to the dedication of our engineers and our focus on delivering the best driving and owner experience for our customers.”

This achievement highlights the brand’s ongoing commitment to delivering vehicles that offer long-term reliability and exceptional quality for owners.

The 2025 dependability study evaluates 2022 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership. The study measures 184 potential problem areas across nine categories, including infotainment, driving assistance, and powertrain. Mazda’s strong performance in this year’s study is a testament to the continued reliability of the brand’s vehicles,

Mazda’s improvement is notable despite the industry’s ongoing challenges with software complexity and supply chain disruptions.

Leather with copper-colored baseball-type stitching spans the dashboard face and upper door panels.

Mazda Awarded IIHS Top Safety Picks

In the annual presentation of awards by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Mazda received eight Top Safety Pick+ awards. The awarded vehicles include the 2025 Mazda3, CX-30, CX-50 and CX-50 Hybrid, CX-70 and CX-70 PHEV, CX-90 and CX-90 PHEV.

To earn the awards, vehicles must achieve top ratings in IIHS’s front and side crash tests and pedestrian front crash prevention assessments and come with standard acceptable- or good-rated headlights.

IIHS strengthens the award criteria each year, making the 2025 awards program the toughest yet, said IIHS President David Harkey.

“The success of our awards program depends on automakers’ commitment to safety,” he said. “Kudos to Mazda for meeting this challenge with eight top safety pick+ winners, the most of any brand.”

2025 Mazda CX-50 Pricing

Shoppers can choose from 10 trim levels for the 2025 Mazda CX-50 between gas and hybrid powertrains. There are seven choices for the gasoline-powered CX-50 and three trims for the CX-50 Hybrid.

Starting prices for the CX-50 gasoline range from $31,720 to $44,720, in turbocharged or non-turbo four-cylinder engines.

The CX-50 Hybrid is available in Preferred, Premium, and Premium Plus trim levels. Hybrid starting prices range from $35,390 to $41,470. The suggested manufacturer’s retail pricing includes the $1,420 freight charge from Huntsville, Ala., a joint Mazda Toyota manufacturing plant.

Today’s tester is a 2025 CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus with no added packages or accessories for $41,470. Buyers might also want to consider such accessories as a carpet cargo mat ($125), a retractable cargo cover ($225), or a cargo net ($60).

Adventure travelers will want the black crossbars ($350) for lashing gear to the roof. There’s also the Outdoor Adventure Backpack Kit, $225. It is packed with a bungee cord, water reservoir (for hiker’s hydration), cable ties, folding shovel, and waterproof matches.

The CX-50 Hybrid has a max towing capacity of 1,500 pounds, with the factory tow hitch and wiring harness ($589).

Another useful Mazda accessory is the Weather Package, $390, adding a cargo liner with seatback protection and all-weather floor mats. A roadside assistance kit ($90) adds a folding reflective triangle, flashlight, tire pressure gauge, emergency blanket, and rain poncho.

And there are several pet accessories including a ramp ($300), back seat protector ($225), and dog restraint ($40).

Check current Mazda CX-50 pricing here.
And check for special incentives and offers here.

Buttons and switches for commonly used cabin functions.

Standard Features per Dollar

Base hybrid models are well equipped with desirable features, including:

Keyless entry and push button start
Electric parking brake
Heated front seats with 3-level adjustment
Half leatherette-trimmed seats
LED headlights (auto on/off)
Rear power liftgate with programmable height adjustment
Mazda Connect Infotainment System with a 10.25-inch center display, with voice command and multifunction Commander control
Rearview camera monitor with guiding lines
Alexa Built-In
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Wireless phone charger
Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio capability
8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support
4-way manual adjustable front passenger seat
17-inch alloy wheels with P225/65 R17 all-season tires
Power (heated) side mirrors with LED turn signal indicators
Windshield wiper de-icer
8-speaker audio system with automatic level control
Dual front USB (Type C) audio inputs and dual rear USB (Type C) charging ports

The open driver's door shows a water bottle and reporter's notebook in the side panel

Texture and color for a premium appearance.

CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus features include:

Automatic power-folding side mirrors
Panoramic sunroof
19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, machine cut with black metallic finish
P225/55 R19 all-season tires
Heated and ventilated front seats (3 levels)
Heads-up windshield-projected Active Driving Display
Auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink
Black metallic interior trim and contrast stitching
Aluminum roof rails in satin chrome finish
Dual exhaust outlets with chrome tips
Mazda CX-50 Safety Features

Standard safety features on all Mazda CX-50 models include:

10 air bags
Radar cruise control with stop-and-go
Lane Departure Warning with Lane-keep Assist
Emergency Lane Keeping
Blind spot monitoring
Rear cross traffic alert

A Missing Link for Greatness

As complete as the safety technologies appear, one crucial link is missing: Cruising and Traffic. That piece of technology connects the other driver-assistance features to allow semi-autonomous, Level 2 hands-on-the-wheel driving. The CX-50 Hybrid is an excellent commuting vehicle, and Level 2 assist would be a welcome safeguard. A complete package of advanced driving technologies is expected on a $40,000 vehicle.

Unfortunately, Cruising & Traffic Support is only available on the 2.5T Premium and Premium Plus models, not the hybrid ones.

Adding Level 2 drivability bumps into Mazda’s philosophy that the driver should always be in control of the vehicle. It is also a price point dilemma, a spokesperson said.

“Mazda’s initial data showed that hybrid customers and Mazda customers interested in hybrid vehicles were also more budget conscious than [CX-50] 2.5T buyers, who want all the toys. Hence, there were some tough decisions in terms of what features were in or out for the vehicle,” he said. “We are always evaluating and looking into what our customers want and expect from their vehicles.”

CX-50 Special Assets and Considerations

Side mirrors power fold on shutoff
A spare tire (temporary) is when most electrified vehicles only have an inflator system.
All doors open to nearly 90 degrees, easing entry and exit.
Back seat release levers in the cargo area, a detail not all makers provide.
Analog gauges are bold and bright, with white numerals on a black background.
Spray-arm wipers keep the fluid where it is needed.
Large side mirrors provide excellent visibility range on the highway.

The CX-50 Hybrid has a spare tire, unusual among electrified vehicles.

CX-50 Considerations

Large side mirrors can block cornering views of pedestrians in crosswalks and turning vehicles
Wide turning circle of 39 feet
Narrow back window for visibility
Short back-seat legroom
No interior tailgate release, only at the tailgate and the key fob.
No heated steering wheel.
No Cruising and Traffic support for semi-autonomous driving
No 360-degree-view monitor

Hybrid Powertrain and Fuel Economy Ratings

Mazda’s CX-50 hybrid powertrain is the same one used in the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid but with some specific Mazda re-engineering. The Toyota Hybrid System integrates a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, a nickel-metal hydride EV battery, and three electric motors.

Two electric motor generators are on the front transaxle. One motor starts the engine and charges the hybrid battery. Motor-generator two drives the front wheels and provides regeneration during braking. When tire slippage is detected, a smaller rear motor drives the rear axle for eAWD. (More powertrain details are highlighted in the specifications chart at the end of the review.)

Looking at the speedometer and the battery charge meter just below

The battery charge meter is entertaining but has no significance for driving.

The transmission is a continuously variable automatic (eCVT), with electric AWD (eAWD).

This setup is good for 219 horsepower and 163 foot-pounds of torque on regular 87-octane fuel. EPA estimated mileage ratings are 39 mpg city, 37 highway, and 38 mpg combined. Mazda says that is a boost of 40 percent above the base CX-50 2.5 S. The 14.5-gallon tank could provide around 477 to 536 miles of range.

I, however, could only work up to 32.9 mpg while on two 80-mile highway runs with the cruise set at 67 mph. Perhaps my mileage results are forgivable with all-wheel drive, a raised ride height, and a curb weight of 4,008 pounds.

Looking into the engine bay of the CX-50 Hybrid

The 219 horsepower Toyota Hybrid System.

Intelligent Drive Select

Mazda’s Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) has driving modes of Normal, Power, and Trail. I switched up to Power for its more direct hookup from a stop. Trail mode works through the AWD system to prevent wheelspin on rough roads. It felt like a traditional Eco mode with reduced acceleration force. Mazda says to use Trail mode only on rough roads.

EV Mode

I appreciate how the hybrid system allows a useable amount of low-speed battery driving. The small 1.6 kWh battery pack does not need to be plugged in for recharging. EV mode allows full battery driving up to about 25 miles per hour, depending on the battery’s state of charge. A small bar graphic in the gauge array’s center shows the battery reserve’s rise and fall. It is entertaining to observe but has no significance for driving.

“Off-throttle coasting, brake regen, and the engine charge the [battery] pack in normal operation,” Mazda says. “In the right driving conditions, you can squeeze maybe 2-3 miles of low-speed EV range out of it.”

Looking at the right front tire and wheel.

19-inch Goodyear Eagle Touring tires, electric vehicle tuned.

CX-50 Hybrid Ride and Handling

The CX-50 cabin is reasonably calmed from wind noise, but it is not the quietest ride at highway speeds. At low speeds there is a tire-drumming sound.

In my test of the 2025 CX-50 Hybrid, the highway ride was on glide control. It rode solid and steady with little variance, whether along California’s grooved concrete or blacktop. The ride is less compliant on back roads where I noticed un-Mazdalike body lean in cornering.

Mazda’s G-Vectoring traction-control system uses the center and rear differentials to control weight transfer, which is helpful on-road or off.

As comfortably as the CX-50 rolls on the interstate, the ride is less svelte around town. The suspension is firm, even hard. I expect Mazda strapped down the CX-50 for sporty handling, but the ride can be jarring over bad pavement and potholes. The rear torsion beam rear suspension could be the culprit for the hard jolts. Torsion beams are flat in design, which benefits cargo space, but the rear ride quality can feel clunky over bumps.

Mazda also stepped up and gave the CX-50 four-wheel disc brakes a millimeter or three larger than the competition. There are 12.8-inch ventilated rotors in front and 12.8-inch solid rotors rear.

i-Activ AWD

Mazda’s i-Activ all-wheel-drive system is masterful at anticipating wheel slip before barely an inch of traction is lost. Mazda says it is a predictive system that monitors 27 sensors more than 200 times a second.

Rather than moving power “from the wheels that slip to the wheels that grip,” the i-Active system directs engine torque to the necessary wheel to maintain forward momentum.

It is a reassuring AWD system whether in snow, rain, or dirt.

A low angle front view of the CX-50 showing the LED headlights

Standard LED headlights.

CX-50 Interior Function

The CX-50 interior layout is ergonomically designed and straightforward to use. There are buttons and switches for commonly used cabin functions, such as audio volume and tuning, temp, and air.

More detailed functions lie in Mazda’s Connect Infotainment System with a 10.25-inch center display. A multifunction Commander control gives dial-and-click access for audio selections, phone, navigation, and vehicle settings and preferences.

Front headroom of 38.6 inches, with the panoramic sunroof, is about an inch less than in CX-50 competitors.

Sightlines are open across the hood and over the shoulder. The liftgate glass, however, has narrow visibility, which is complicated by the back seat center head restraint.

The rearview camera with guidelines has a wide view in the 10.25-inch center display. Unfortunately, Mazda’s 360-degree-view monitor, which would assist in tight parking situations, is not offered for the CX-50 Hybrid. The camera’s see-through view is an asset when trailering or when the cargo space is adventure-packed to the headliner.

Also not offered for the CX-50 Hybrid is a heated steering wheel, but it is available on 2.5T trim levels.

Large side mirrors provide excellent visibility range on the highway. Around town, however, the expansive mirrors can block side views of pedestrians in crosswalks and turning vehicles.

Interior textures and colors enhance a premium appearance. The tester’s black leather upholstery, with perforated centers, is handsomely set off with copper-colored baseball-type stitching. The stitching also spans the dashboard face and upper door panels.

Not so enjoyable are the nagging and insistent alerts to buckle up or when using left-foot braking with the accelerator. I got busted by the “Pedal Abuse Alert” when the brake and accelerator are used at the same time. I’d not heard of such a warning before.

Looking into the back seat of the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid

Space throughout the back seat feels more subcompact than compact.

Back Seat and Cargo Space

Space throughout the back seat feels more subcompact than compact. The space is nicely finished amid a lot of black plastic but with an appealing appearance and textures. The door grab handles are uniquely styled with finger ridges. Leave it to Mazda to focus on the human interface.

Despite wide-opening doors, fitting big feet through the door opening can be clumsy, for good reason. Integrating the battery pack below the cargo space shortened back seat legroom by 2 inches, now at 37.8 inches.

Raise the liftgate, and the cargo space looks square and spacious. That’s 29.2 cubic feet (stacked to the headliner) or 56.3 cu.ft. with the back seat folded. But try stacking crates in the space and you’ll see the angle of the fifth door crops the height.

However, fold the 60/40 seatback for 6 feet in length. Seatback release levers on each cargo side give a quick fold to the seats.

Even by locating the battery under the cargo floor, Mazda found a way to include a temporary spare tire. That is an uncommon feature in any vehicle today.

Cargo space in the CX-50 Hybrid is wide with folding rear seatbacks

Fold the back seat for 6 feet in length.

Why Buy the 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid?

Attention to detail and value pricing enhance ownership of the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid. Using Toyota’s hybrid system is smart, especially with the nickel-metal hydride battery pack. I’ve experienced that same basic system in my 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid, which functioned without fault until 140,000 miles. A replacement was around $4,400 in 2021 from Green Tec Auto, with a 3-year warranty.

The CX-50 Hybrid does not overachieve but emphasizes value and simplicity. It is mainstream with finesse.

A rear three quarter view of the Ingot Blue 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid

The 2025 CX-50 has many endearing details that make it an ideal family or adventure SUV.