Mechanical performance together with progressive failure process and failure modes of riveted, adhesively bonded and hybrid joints connecting CFRP and aluminum alloy with various overlap length were investigated. Experimental results showed that hybrid joints presented superior performance in terms of peak load and energy absorption, which increased by up to ~380%, 434% and ~19%, 56% respectively compared with solely riveted and bonded joints. Typical failure evolution photographs were taken with high speed camera for analyzing progressive failure process. Final failure modes of hybrid joints included rivet shear fracture, CFRP compressive deformation, adhesive failure, cohesive failure and light-fiber-tear failure. •Hybrid joint exhibited two different stages in progressive failure process to prevent catastrophic failure.•Hybrid joints showed superior mechanical performance in terms of peak load and energy absorption.•Failure evolution photographs were recorded with high speed camera for detailed progressive failure analysis.•Various failure modes were analyzed regarding to three different joining methods.