The new 2026 Toyota RAV4, which is available solely as a hybrid, is a hot commodity, and, as with every hot commodity, this vehicle is pretty much subject to dealer markups. The phenomenon isn’t anecdotal, either. An old sales tactic that infamously became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic, dealer markups have now become the norm for vehicles where demand exceeds supply. This is why the direct sales model of Tesla has challenged this retail norm.
But what if you don’t want a Tesla, and what you really want is an SUV with Toyota’s hybrid drivetrain, yet without the markup? Well, for that, you can head to your nearest Mazda dealer, as this is exactly what you’ll be getting. The question now is, is getting this Mazda hybrid just a second-best option, or does it have genuine merits over the RAV4?
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Toyota And Mazda’s Long-Term Relationship
Toyota
Mazda and Toyota’s relationship isn’t recent news. The story goes back to August 2017, when Toyota acquired a 5.1 percent stake in Mazda, with Mazda taking a reciprocal 0.25 percent stake in Toyota. Since then, the two companies have often worked together, and one result of that collaboration is the Mazda hybrid SUV that is the topic of this article.
Platform And Drivetrain Sharing
Front 3/4 view of a 2026 Mazda 2 HybridMazda
This partnership has resulted in interesting decisions with the Mazda 2 and Toyota Yaris. For the Mazda 2, this vehicle was never sold in North America as a Mazda. Instead, from 2015 to 2020, the Mazda 2 was sold as the Scion iA, Toyota Yaris iA, or simply the Toyota Yaris. Toyota’s youth-oriented Scion brand was discontinued in 2016, which then necessitated the vehicle to be rebranded as the Toyota Yaris iA. By 2019, it was simply called the Yaris. In Europe, it’s currently the other way around for Mazda. The Mazda 2 is now a European-spec Yaris Hybrid, as the gas-powered Mazda 2 has already been discontinued to lower the brand’s average emissions in the region.
The partnership goes beyond the Mazda 2 and Toyota Yaris, as there are also rumors about the two brands collaborating on a future sports car. Then again, the rumor came from the Japanese automotive website Best Car, which tends to be overly optimistic with its predictions or claims. Take this news with a massive grain of salt.
Manufacturing Partnership
Mazda
More than just cars, Mazda and Toyota have established a joint venture in the United States called Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA (MTMUS). The project was initially announced in 2018, while production commenced in 2021. With 4,000 employees, MTMUS produces the Toyota Corolla Cross and Mazda CX-50. The joint venture goes beyond producing these two cars, which you’ll immediately notice with their color choices.
Mazda’s Soul Red Crystal is a very vibrant yet deep red, and due to the joint venture partnership, the Corolla Cross can be painted in this color. In return, the calm Cypress green shade of the Corolla Cross is also available on the CX-50. It’s the kind of paint blending you least expect in the industry, but one that results in unique vehicle specifications that aren’t available in other markets where these vehicles are sold.
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A Mazda With The RAV4’s Hybrid Heart
2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Front SideWilliam Clavey | TopSpeed
This leads us neatly to the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid—an SUV designed by Mazda from the ground up, but powered by a robust Toyota hybrid system from the RAV4. Spoiler alert: the CX-50 Hybrid isn’t necessarily just the second-best option next to the RAV4. Here’s why.
Mazda Attitude, Toyota Hybrid Ingenuity
2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Rear Three QuarterWilliam Clavey | TopSpeed
At the heart of the CX-50 Hybrid is not the newer fifth-generation Toyota Hybrid System (THS V) of the current RAV4, but the fourth-generation THS IV found in the previous RAV4. That’s because the CX-50 came out at a time when Toyota was still selling the previous RAV4. Anyway, with the 2.5-liter THS IV hybrid system, the system output is 219 horsepower versus the 236 horsepower of the current RAV4. Where it falls short on power due to using a previous-generation hybrid system, the Mazda makes up for it with the brand’s signature sporty driving dynamics.
If you want your hybrid crossover to feel sporty to drive, the CX-50 Hybrid is the model to go for. Our team has reviewed the CX-50 Hybrid, and yes, it still has the droning engine note that Toyota hybrids are known for, but the electric motors are strong enough to offer a serene drive during normal cruising. As for the steering, it preserves Mazda’s direct and rich steering feel with just the right amount of weight and resistance. The suspension is firm but composed enough to remain comfortable yet retain Mazda’s excellent body control. This is the case even though the CX-50 Hybrid foregoes Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC+) torque vectoring, as this handling aid is not compatible with a Toyota drivetrain. Besides, to non-enthusiast folks, GVC+ isn’t going to be tremendously noticeable.
The CX-50 Has A Higher Base Price, But…
2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid InteriorWilliam Clavey | TopSpeed
On paper, the 2026 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid has a higher base price of $34,750 versus the newer RAV4’s $31,900. Spec for spec, however, the CX-50 Hybrid starts with the mid-level Preferred trim, which already includes a panoramic sunroof, a powered tailgate, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, synthetic leather upholstery, and a 10.25-inch Mazda Connect infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, among other features. More importantly, the CX-50 Hybrid isn’t subject to dealer markups. In fact, Mazda even has offers for the CX-50 Hybrid, including a Customer Cash offer that reduces its total price by $2,500.
On the other hand, good luck getting discounts or promos with the 2026 Toyota RAV4. Dealers are naturally not compelled to offer discounts and incentives on vehicles that are highly popular—that’s just how supply and demand work. What’s unfortunate is the dealer markups that the RAV4 is experiencing, especially when the global energy crisis drove gas prices up.
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Why The CX-50 Hybrid Is A Worthy Option
2026 Mazda CX-50 side shotMazda
Though the 2026 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid isn’t the newest vehicle in the segment, here are the other areas where this hybrid crossover SUV still stands out amid the newer and more popular RAV4.
More Premium Interior, Albeit With Less Space
Mazda
Most would agree that the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid’s interior is considerably more premium than that of the RAV4—even in the redesigned model. Okay, so we can immediately give the tech advantage to the RAV4, since its Arene OS brings the RAV4 into the software-defined vehicle (SDV) era. However, in terms of the interior richness, the CX-50 has more soft-touch materials and leatherette surfaces versus the RAV4’s more modern but also more utilitarian interior.
Besides, it’s not like the CX-50 Hybrid is lacking in the tech department, either. With a seven-inch partly digital gauge cluster and a standard 10.25-inch Mazda Connect infotainment screen with Amazon Alexa, the CX-50 is still plenty modern for most people. Whether you prefer fresher and newer tech or an interior that feels crafted and artisanal is up to you. A well-crafted interior will generally win over a more modern but utilitarian interior feel. If there’s a slight downside to its interior, though, that would be its space. The hybrid battery reduces rear legroom somewhat, but overall, the CX-50 Hybrid and RAV4 aren’t too far apart.
Rugged Yet Elegant Exterior
2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Side Shot In White FinishMazda
Styling is always subjective, so whether you prefer the RAV4 or CX-50 Hybrid is up to you. If you’re considering the CX-50 Hybrid anyway, you might be attracted to its rugged yet elegant exterior design. The CX-50 was designed with the North American market in mind. Due to North American consumers’ insatiable demand for rugged crossover SUVs, the CX-50 was designed primarily for this market. Kodo Design is mostly centered around the subtraction of visual noise, and in the CX-50, they’ve clearly achieved that with simple and taut curves.
Mazda CX-50 Hybrid
Toyota RAV4
Engine
2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid
2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid
Horsepower
219 hp
226 hp (FWD)
236 hp (AWD)
Torque
N/A
N/A
Transmission
e-CVT
e-CVT
Drivetrain Layout
AWD
FWD / AWD
Combined Fuel Economy
38 MPG
43 MPG (FWD)
41 MPG (AWD)
38 MPG (Woodland)
Total Interior Volume
97 cu. ft.
98.9 cu. ft.
Base MSRP
$34,750
$31,900
Rather than aggressive lines, gentle curves in the panels are what give the CX-50 its unique visual identity. Couple that with distinctive color choices such as Soul Red Crystal or Polymetal Gray, and the result is a rugged crossover SUV that looks equally at home on a trail as it would in a hotel lobby. Wheel sizes ranging from 17 to 19 inches are offered, depending on which of the three trims you choose.
Sources: Toyota, Mazda, CarEdge
