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2026 Jeep Cherokee vs. Mazda CX-50 Hybrid: Not Your Average Hybrid SUV Test
Yes, one's traditionally for the trail and the other for the road--but there's more cross-shopping here than meets the eye.
Writer: Matt Taylor -- MotorTrend.com
Really? Mazda vs. Jeep? Sporty minimalism vs. trail-hungry ruggedness? What kind of buyer would cross-shop a CX-50 and a Cherokee? We hear you, but humor us--they may not appear to be in direct competition, but these two mainstream hybrid SUVs are transcending their traditions in interesting ways, and we think they're worthy of a little out-of-the box matchup.
The 2026 Jeep Cherokee revives a storied SUV nameplate that has been dormant since the 2023 model year, and it returns to the stage as the first ever Jeep with a hybrid powertrain. The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid represents change for Mazda's SUV lineup, as well, with the '25 model year being the CX-50's first with a hybrid system. Which one would we choose for everyday use? Let's get into it.
Mazda Vibes
As we said, hybrid power is still a relatively new twist for the CX-50, but the fact that it shares its powertrain with our No. 1 ranked Toyota RAV4 Hybrid should be a major selling point. While borrowing from a hybrid heavyweight Toyota was a wise move, happily, there's enough Mazda in this SUV's tune to set it apart from its mechanical cousin. The powertrain is good for 219 hp and some amount of torque that combines the engine's 163 lb-ft with the electric motors' 118 and 89 lb-ft (neither Mazda nor Toyota publishes a single torque total); with it, the CX-50's good for a 0--60-mph time of 7.6 seconds. No, it isn't what you'd call quick, but it's surprisingly fun to bomb around in. It's efficient, too, pulling down 39/37/38 mpg city/highway/combined.
The CX-50 Hybrid may be Toyota-powered under the hood, but it doesn't handle like any RAV4 we've ever driven. The powertrain itself is smooth and quiet, and power delivery is linear everywhere but in the midrange zone, where it goes a little soft. The brakes have good bite but also exhibit some unwelcome stiffness underfoot, possibly a quirk of the regenerative braking system.
The CX-50's steering is predictable and satisfying, with a direct, responsive feel and nice weight regardless of speed or driving mode. Ride quality is similarly refined, with damping that smooths out the bumps just enough to make things comfortable, but it maintains a sense of composure and connectedness, aided by its AWD grip. If anything, we suspect the Mazda would be a much more capable handler with stickier tires under it. It's clear a lot went into imbuing the CX-50 Hybrid with a sporty character befitting the Mazda brand, and that effort has paid off.
Jeep's New Hybrid: Incognito Mode?
The new-for-2026 Cherokee is a hybrid, too, but you'd be forgiven if you miss that part. There's no obvious callout on the displays, no dedicated eco driving mode, no hybrid badging (hell, the word hybrid doesn't even appear in the full model name), and when you pop the hood, the big, bold TURBO lettering you're met with feels a lot like purposeful misdirection. On the one hand, this may speak to a traditionalism that Jeep and its customer base takes seriously. In fact, the Cherokee's refined powertrain exhibits so little of the clunky character that often plagues hybrid vehicles, you'd almost swear it's gas-only.
On the other hand, because this is Jeep's first hybrid, we're left to wonder whether, or why, Jeep would want to play that kind of powertrain peekaboo (maybe it thinks its customers won't want to advertise that fact?). Whatever the case, the "TURBO" doesn't seem to be helping much. With total outputs of 210 hp and 230 lb-ft and a 9.4-second 0--60-mph time, the Cherokee is pretty poky and often feels overmatched when asked for power (Hurricane time, Jeep?). At least it's no slouch when it comes to efficiency, returning 42/33/37 mpg.
Fine, you may be thinking, but isn't a Jeep always proudly its own thing? Don't the Jeep loyalists dig the brand's respect for its own traditions, quirks and all? Sure, but that's just it--the new Cherokee isn't terribly Jeep-ish despite boasting best-in-class approach and departure angles. It has an all-wheel-drive system with a rear-axle disconnect to be clear (though classic 4x4 Trail Rated models are reportedly in the offing), and it looks the part from the outside, with its blocky exterior styling and seven-slot grille. But jump inside, and you're going to be pleasantly surprised.
Continue reading HERE to see which Hybrid takes that cake.
Source: 2026 Jeep Cherokee vs. Mazda CX-50 Hybrid: Not Your Average Hybrid SUV Test
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