Is a Mazda Hybrid Worth It?
While Mazda doesn’t currently offer any hybrids on the US market, that’s about to change—10 new hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric Mazdas will be available by 2025.
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Fans of Mazda’s superior reliability and value may be disappointed to learn that there are no new Mazdas available in hybrid form, but take heart: the thirteen new hybrid and electric Mazdas that are slated to be added to the lineup between 2022 and 2025 will certainly make up for lost time. In the meantime, we’ll look at what we know about the upcoming models, and take a look back at Mazda’s US hybrid offerings of the past.
We’ll take a look at Mazda hybrids past and future, and also cover how to get you the best deal on your car insurance today.
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The Mazda Tribute hybrid: a flash in the pan
The first hybrid that Mazda offered in the US market was a hybrid version of the Tribute, which was only available for the last few years of the model’s 2000-2011 production run. Though it wasn’t terribly popular, the 2009 hybrid Tribute got a 5/5 from Edmunds and was praised for its 30 mpg range and surprisingly powerful drivetrain.
So what happened? Even though it performed well and got solid reviews, the MSRP of around $36,000 was a lot to pay during the aftermath of the 2008 depression and the Tribute just never got a toehold in the market. If you want to purchase one used, expect to pay around $5,000 to $9,000 for it.
Hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric car: what’s the difference?
Before we look ahead to Mazda’s upcoming hybrid offerings, let’s pause a minute to clarify a few terms. When you hear about hybrid and electric vehicles, you’ll often hear some referred to as hybrids, some as electric cars, and some as PHEVs. What exactly do all these all mean?
A hybrid has an electric motor and a standard gas engine that work together to power the vehicle. The battery is charged via the internal combustion engine—the car can’t function as a solely electric vehicle.
A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) has both an electric motor and a gas engine, but the battery is much larger and has a better capacity. These can function as a solely electric vehicle for short trips. The battery can be recharged via a 120-volt charger.
Full electric vehicles are just that—all-electric with no internal combustion engine. Sometimes, you’ll see these referred to as EVs (electric vehicles) or BEVs (battery electric vehicles). These need to be recharged via a larger 240-volt charger, and while many EVs have quick charging capacities, it will take about 8 to 10 hours to charge up a near-empty EV battery with a 240-volt connector.
While Mazda doesn’t currently offer any hybrids, it does have one all-electric vehicle in its 2022 lineup—the MX-30 EV. Unfortunately, it’s currently only available in California, but should be rolled out to other states soon. Additionally, a PHEV version is expected to be introduced on a national level in 2023.
Speaking of the future of Mazda hybrids, let’s take a peek at what we know so far about the upcoming models!
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Upcoming Mazda hybrid cars
As previously mentioned, Mazda is making a big push towards electrifying its lineup after a few false starts. With thirteen new models on the way between now and 2025, there will be a lot to choose from in the near future if you want a Mazda hybrid. Mazda is quite serious about moving forward with electric cars and has estimated that by 2030, all of its vehicles will have some form of electric component, with 25% of the fleet being fully electric.
The details on the unreleased hybrid models are fairly scant, as carmakers like to keep things under wraps (sometimes literally) until they’re ready for a debut. But here’s what we do know so far!
Mazda MX-30 PHEV
The crossover MX-30 PHEV is slated to be out in 2023 and will feature a rotary range extender that will recharge the battery, which will in turn power the motor. Mazda has pioneered the rotary engine, so it will be interesting to see what it can do in a hybrid version. Reviewers and auto enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting its debut.
Mazda CX-50
There are scant details on the compact SUV CX-50 hybrid, but we do know that its powertrain will come from Toyota, as the two automakers have joined forces for this model. The sticker price is expected to be around $29,000, but exact pricing details aren’t known yet.
MORE: Mazda and Toyota are teaming up for the 2023 hybrid CX-50
Mazda CX-60/CX-70
The Mazda CX-60 PHEV was introduced to the European market this year and has garnered rave reviews so far for its power, performance, and comfort. The CX-60 is a crossover SUV that can travel 37 miles on battery alone before needing backup from the gasoline engine and offers a total of 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque.
So if we can’t get it in the US, why are we talking about it? Well, the slightly larger CX-70 will be released stateside in the future and if it’s along the same lines as the CX-60, we should be in for a treat.
Are Mazda hybrids worth it?
To be honest, at this point it’s difficult to assess, as there isn’t a lot of information available. What we can tell you is that
Mazdas are good cars
—they're safe, reliable, fun to drive, and a good value. Mazda vehicles consistently rank among the very top among reviewers and in safety tests—if the quality and performance of their gasoline models are any indications, Mazda’s electric and hybrid lineup should be pretty appealing. While Edmunds doesn’t have any true cost-to-own data for the Tribute hybrid, it did earn 5/5 stars in 2009. It’s safe to assume based on what we know so far about hybrid ownership costs, that while they frequently cost more upfront, you’ll definitely save money on gasoline.
And as some added bonuses, hybrid vehicles are often eligible for insurance discounts, and buying a new Mazda hybrid when they become available can mean a
federal tax credit of up to $7,500
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FAQs
Do you pay less tax on a hybrid car?
Yes! The federal government offers some very attractive
tax credits
of up to $7,500
to consumers who buy new Mazda electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).How much does it cost to replace a Mazda hybrid battery?
The cost to replace the battery in a Mazda Tribute hybrid is about $3,000 to $4,000, depending on where it’s purchased from.
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