2025 CX-5 or 2026 CX-50 Hybrid?

Hello Mazda drivers!

I have posted before about debating between a CX-30 and CX-5, but after test driving, I've immediately ruled out the CX-30 because it's a little cramped for me personally.

I currently have a 2011 Honda Accord with only 78k miles on it, which is also my first car ever. Though there is nothing wrong with it, the opportunity came up for me to buy a new car! I expect to get my funding within the next few months, but I’ve already nailed it down to two finalists – the CX-5 and the CX-50.

My dad has a 2018 CX-5 and my mom has a 2018 3 hatchback, and both love their cars and they still hold up, so naturally I’ll go the Mazda route. I’m also done with sedans, especially since I live in an area with a lot of rain, hiking trails, and the occasional snow. Problem is, I am now extremely torn between the CX-5 and the CX-50.

Little bit about me - I am a single 5’ 11” guy in my 30s who lives in a suburban area next to a big city and only drives \~3k miles a year, but I may drive more once I get the new car. I'm hoping the car is either new or no more than 2 years old. I like hiking, so I’m looking for an AWD car that can handle the dirt and gravel roads a bit better. I also don’t drive other people around often or utilize all the space in my 194” Accord, so I definitely don’t need as much length in my next car. I’ve never towed anything and don’t anticipate to any time soon.

I test drove the 2026 Preferred CX-50 and 2025 Carbon CX-5. I really enjoyed both cars, but I'm very torn on which car I'd want.

The CX-50 seems like it'd be a great car, but my main concern is around the width. Although it's less length than my Accord, it's 3 inches wider than my Accord. I'd prefer to have less overall space for ease of parking and not needing all this space. However, I really enjoyed test driving the CX-50 Preferred Hybrid for the handling and responsive braking and the fact they use a highly reliable Toyota powertrain. I did enjoy driving the hybrid, but I understand hybrids have a premium on them and I don't drive enough to break even on fuel savings, and I'm worried repair costs for hybrid will cost me more in the long run. Still, I really enjoyed driving this car.

My Dad is encouraging me to test drive the 2026 CX-5, but I really don't like how they put so much into the big screen. I have drove the 2025 CX-5 Carbon edition and enjoyed it, though the seats were a little slippery to me. It does feel like a more perfect size to me than the CX-50. However, from what I can see, the prices for these used 2025 models are about just as expensive as a new 2026 car. I did bring up how CX-5s are made in Japan and CX-50s are made in Alabama, but my Dad shrugged it off saying all these cars are mostly made by machines and factories all follow the same safety/QA standards.

I think I can't really go wrong with either car, but curious to hear how other people think. I will make my final decision sometime in the next few months while I wait for my funding. Thanks!