The Hybrid SUV And Sedan That Feel Like Lexus Without The Price Tag

Over the last few years, we have witnessed several brands level up their mainstream offerings into much more premium models by means of applying less conservative and more striking designs, tasteful interior applications, and more advanced digital and technological systems. Naturally, this does come with relatively higher starting prices, but this is all in accordance with the increase in demand for more comprehensively specified vehicle options from the existing consumer base. Traditionally, if you wanted a product that perfectly blends the lines of luxury and reliability, Lexus was your go-to brand.

Founded

1989

Founder

Eiji Toyoda

Headquarters

Nagoya, Japan

Current CEO

Koji Sato

Status

Active

Lexus is still in the business of making well-rounded high-end vehicles with proven drivetrains, but the premium Japanese brand’s catalog currently struggles with a very high starting price across the range. If you are looking for a hybrid vehicle with an upmarket and luxurious feel, but don’t want to fork out Lexus money, there are two specific options you can consider in the shape of a hybrid SUV and a sedan, both of which feature Toyota’s tried-and-tested gasoline-electric HEV systems with the added benefit of impressive specifications and a high build quality level.

The Mazda CX-50’s Impressive Balance Of Refinement And Affordability

The Sub-Premium SUV Makes For An Excellent Value Proposition

William Clavey | TopSpeed

According to J.D. Power, the Mazda CX-50 is a highly accomplished semi-premium hybrid SUV offering, benefitting from a 78/100 consumer-verified overall score. This consists of 72/100 for quality and reliability, 78/100 for the driving experience, 83/100 for resale, and 83/100 for the dealership experience. iSeeCars doesn’t issue the model with a comprehensive rating system, but it does award it 8.2/10 for retained value and 10/10 for safety.

Mazda’s pricing for its CX-50 Hybrid falls in line with industry standards. It sits in a competitive position, but is fairly more expensive than the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter configuration. Interestingly, it costs a bit less than the flagship turbocharged range. You can expect to pay $33,970 for the base Preferred trim. This may be a base derivative, but you still get to enjoy premium features like an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, front seat heating, and combination leatherette upholstery. The Premium trim costs $37,400 and includes a panoramic sunroof and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.

2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Pricing

You’ll have to pay $40,050 for the top-of-the-range Premium Plus trim, which comes standard with a heads-up Active Driving Display and a host of more aspirational exterior and interior trimmings. In terms of standard features, the Premium and Premium Plus are pretty much identical, so you can consider the latter to essentially be a $2,650 visual package. This is a common practice for many manufacturers competing in this segment. Curiously, Mazda opts not to make its new Hybrid available in the more accessible Select trim. Mazda charges a $1,420 destination fee for all CX-50 derivatives.

Putting Toyota’s Drivetrain To Good Use

The Atkinson-Cycle System Merges Reliability With Performance

William Clavey | TopSpeed

The Mazda CX-50 Hybrid employs Toyota’s HEV drivetrain, which consists of a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder and three permanent-magnet motors that produce a combined 219 horsepower to all four wheels using a direct-drive eCVT system. Because this is a Toyota drivetrain, we don’t get a combined torque output, but we know that the ICE twists out 163 pound-feet. According to Toyota’s specifications, we know that the ICE generates 176 horsepower without any electrical assistance.

2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid Performance Specifications

Mazda positions the three electric motors along the front and rear axles. The front unit generates 118 horsepower and 149 pound-feet, while the rear section churns out 54 horsepower and 89 pound-feet. Mazda doesn’t supply an official 0-60 MPH time or top speed figure, but the RAV4 Hybrid currently achieves a 7.3-second 0-60 MPH sprint time and 117 MPH top speed.

Impressive Efficiency Returns

Chris Chin | TopSpeed

According to the EPA, the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid will return 39/37/38 MPG on the city/highway/combined cycle, while covering 551 miles on a single tank of gas, holding a 14.5-gallon capacity.

2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid EPA-Estimated Fuel Consumption

Based on this, you can expect to save $2,250 in fuel costs over the course of five years, spend $1,250 on fuel every year, and $2.06 to drive 25 miles. A full tank of gas will likely cost you around $45.

The Toyota Camry Perfectly Embodies Affordability With Opulence

This Generation Sets A New Standard For The Moniker

According to J.D. Power, the Toyota Camry sits with an 83/100 consumer-verified overall score, which is an exceptional result for a vehicle in its class with such a low starting price. This rating includes 86/100 for quality and reliability, 78/100 for the driving experience, 85/100 for resale, and 78/100 for the dealership experience. iSeeCars backs this with an 8.6/10 overall score, which includes 8.0/10 for reliability, 8.8/10 for retained value, and 9.0/10 for safety.

The XLE is where the Camry starts to feel more premium, with features that include a smart key, an auto-dimming mirror, and electrically adjustable seats as standard. You also get:

• White LED ambient interior lighting
• An electrically adjustable passenger seat
• Lumbar adjustments for both front seats
• Rear adjustable headrests

Opting for this trim also gives you access to a $3,810 Premium Package, which adds a full glass panoramic sunroof and front seat ventilation. If you just want the panoramic roof, you’ll need to pay $1,330.

2025 Toyota Camry Trims And Pricing

The most expensive Camry option is the XSE, which starts at $34,900 . The flagship XSE is essentially the same, but it inherits some of the SE’s sportier touches that aren’t found in the XLE. These include the shift paddles and aluminum sport pedals. Toyota offers the all-wheel-drive system across all trims for an additional $1,525. All of these prices exclude the brand’s $1,135 destination fee. There are some optional extras available across all trims, but they are relatively far and few, as the brand prefers to take a more defined four-trim pricing strategy.

The Camry’s Efficiency-Focused Drivetrain

Craig Cole | TopSpeed

All 2025 Toyota Camry models feature the trusty naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine, which produces 184 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque in isolation. The front-wheel-drive model features a pair of electric motors that generate a combined 134 horsepower and 153 pound-feet. Toyota doesn’t give us a combined torque figure, but it confirms that it limits peak power to 225 horsepower. This will cover a 0–60 MPH sprint in around 7.1 seconds.

2025 Toyota Camry Specifications

The all-wheel-drive model adds a third electric motor to the rear, producing 40 horsepower, 62 pound-feet, which increases the peak output to 233 horsepower. Real-world tests reveal that it will cover a 0–60 MPH sprint in 6.8 seconds, while the top speed limit remains unchanged.

Budget-Beating Consumption Estimates

Craig Cole | TopSpeed

As per the EPA’s official fuel consumption estimates for the 2025 Toyota Camry, you’ll find that Edmunds‘ estimates are pretty much on par. The front-wheel-drive LE is the most attractive model, with it set to cost you $950 in fuel every year. The flagship all-wheel-drive XSE is just a bit more expensive to run, with its $1,050 annual fuel cost.

2025 Toyota Camry EPA Fuel Consumption Estimates

The front-wheel-drive LE is the most efficient model, returning a 53/50/51 MPG consumption result on the city/highway/combined cycle with a 663-mile range claim from the 13-gallon tank. It also indicates that this will save you up to $4,000 in fuel costs every five years and costs $1.59 to drive every 25 miles.

The all-wheel-drive XSE is the least frugal model, but this is only by a fractional amount. The EPA indicates that it returns a 44/43/44 MPG result with a 572-mile range claim and suggests that this will save you up to $3,250 in fuel costs every five years and cost $1.84 to drive every 25 miles. Expect to pay $41 to refill the 13-gallon tank, featured in all derivatives.