Professionals: Partaking and refined driving expertise; luxurious inside; sturdy turbo engine; beauty
Cons: No hybrid obtainable; infotainment system will not be for everybody
So there’s now a 2023 Mazda CX-50. However there’s nonetheless a CX-5. They usually’re each compact SUVs that provide the identical engines and are solely about $1,000 aside. Alrighty, then. So what do you get together with that zero within the identify?
Properly, though each technically belong to the compact SUV section, the CX-5 is on the small finish, whereas the CX-50 is among the larger choices. Not less than on the surface, the place the CX-50 measures a substantial 6.7 inches longer and three.1 inches wider than its sibling, and is an inch greater off the bottom. These don’t actually translate to a bigger inside – you’ll discover back-seat legroom and cargo area nearly the identical. As a substitute, these bigger dimensions end result within the CX-50 feeling extra substantial and refined, and a bit extra like a midsize SUV (the Chevy Blazer is broadly comparable). The additional floor clearance additionally speaks to the CX-50’s extra rugged capabilities, which in live performance with a unique-for-Mazda Off-Street drive mode, make it extra able to tackling unpaved roads. Mainly, it’s higher for taking lengthy street journeys to outdoorsy trip spots.
On the similar time, the CX-50 is each bit the partaking, driver-focused car to drive because the CX-5 and each different Mazda. It’s additionally equally luxurious, boasting elevated supplies high quality and a tasteful minimalist design aesthetic with just a few additional angles right here and there to correspond with the CX-50’s barely extra rugged vibe. Downsides? The knob-and-display infotainment system received’t be for everybody, even when Apple CarPlay and Android Auto could be operated by contact, and tech choices normally aren’t as sturdy as these of some rivals. Mazda additionally doesn’t provide a hybrid model (although few rivals can match its muscular turbo engine improve).
In whole, we expect the Mazda CX-50 is extra interesting than the CX-5, which was already one among our prime compact SUVs. Seems 50 is certainly higher than 5.
Inside & Know-how | Passenger & Cargo Area | Efficiency & Gas Financial system
What it is wish to drive | Pricing & Trim Ranges | Crash Rankings & Security Options
What’s new for 2023?
The CX-50 is an all-new mannequin for 2023.
What are the CX-50 inside and in-car expertise like?
The inside design is per the remainder of the Mazda line, however the blockier, upright air vents add a barely extra muscular vibe per the outside. Supplies high quality is equally elevated, with padded, soft-touch surfaces and high-quality switchgear. Turbo trim ranges get delicate (and convincing) simulated leather-based on the sprint and doorways with distinction stitching in a novel criss-cross sample. It’ll be onerous to discover a nicer cabin than this for the cash.
All however the base CX-50 comes with a ten.25-inch widescreen show. Most features, together with deciding on a radio station, making a Bluetooth telephone name or working the navigation system, are completed with the management knob and supporting menu buttons on the middle console. This usually works nicely and helps preserve your eyes on the street. Nonetheless, the usual Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is usually a royal ache to function with a knob-and-display system, so Mazda now permits these to be operated with touchscreen functionality. However just for Apple/Android, nothing else. It’s a good compromise, however we admit it received’t be for everybody, and it’s additionally fairly the attain to the touchscreen.
One other potential expertise shortfall is the gauges. Whereas the central gauge is a display that may change its design and supply info, it’s inherently small and flanked by analog gauges. We’re traditionalists who like old style gauges, however we all know there’ll be those that’ll like the massive, colourful full-width choices of Kia, Hyundai and Nissan.
How huge is the CX-50?
The CX-50 is among the greatest compact SUVs on the surface, however solely an average-sized one inside. Blame, or thank, the longer entrance finish and normal proportions supposed to prioritize a extra visually interesting small SUV. There’s actually nothing comparable within the common compact SUV section, however the Genesis GV70 comes shut within the luxurious realm. The Chevy Blazer isn’t too far off, both.
Ultimately, although, the CX-50 affords loads of family-friendly legroom – you’ll nonetheless discover greater than a Toyota RAV4, for example. Cargo area is simply a smidge higher than the CX-5 at 31.4 cubic-feet, which may handle this a lot stuff in its cargo space, however that determine nonetheless makes it significantly much less proficient at hauling stuff than the RAV4, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson and, nicely, most compact SUVs at this level. Additionally, regardless of the CX-50’s outside journey mission, it solely has flush roof rails versus the extra succesful and versatile raised roof rails discovered on different outside adventurey SUVs just like the Kia Sportage X-Line, Toyota RAV4 Journey and each Subaru Outback.
What are the CX-50 gas economic system and efficiency specs?
The CX-50 comes with the very same powertrain choices because the CX-30 and CX-5, together with its customary six-speed computerized transmission and all-wheel-drive system.
The usual engine is a 2.5-liter inline-four that produces 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. It returns 24 mpg metropolis, 30 mpg freeway and 27 mpg mixed. That is akin to the equally powered Subaru Outback and Kia Sportage.
The optionally available engine is a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four boasting 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque (it’s good for 256 hp and 320 lb-ft must you wish to pump in 93 octane). Few compact SUVs provide a efficiency improve in any respect, not to mention one thing that muscular. Gas economic system falls to 23/29/25, which is definitely a bit higher than the CX-5 with the identical engine.
Sadly, Mazda doesn’t provide a CX-50 hybrid.
What is the CX-50 wish to drive?
The CX-50’s longer and wider footprint makes it really feel extra substantial and planted on the street than the CX-5 and different compact SUVs. It feels a bit extra like a midsize mannequin, particularly with the turbo engine, and subsequently will make a happier freeway cruiser. It additionally showcases Mazda’s typical obsession with guaranteeing the first controls and general car dynamics behave in a pure, speedy, and fairly merely, distinctive means. Even the adjustable drive settings are programmed to make sure the CX-50 behaves and feels constant no matter circumstances or driving scenario … versus attempting to make it behave like 5 completely different vehicles with extensively completely different steering and throttle responses. We wholeheartedly agree with this method. If there’s a extra pleasing compact SUV to drive, we will’t consider it. Or it’s a much more costly luxurious mannequin.
The turbo engine choice produces way more muscular acceleration than is often supplied within the compact section. Once more, right here’s the place the CX-50 is extra like a midsizer. Its throttle and transmission response are additionally spot on. We now have not had an opportunity to check the bottom engine, however contemplating the CX-50 successfully weighs the identical because the CX-5, which we have now pushed with the bottom 2.5, it needs to be completely adequate and possess the identical above-average responses.
As for its outside journey readiness, the CX-50 received’t be crawling any rocks however is nicely fitted to the grime roads that the majority crossover SUV house owners are certain to make use of. Its 8.6 inches of floor clearance with the turbo (or 8.3 with the bottom engine) is larger than common, although in need of Subaru’s Forester and Outback. We additionally discovered the CX-50’s Off-Street mode does a commendable job of guaranteeing traction on loosely packed grime, each on steep hills and higher-speed corners.
What different Mazda CX-50 opinions can I learn?
2023 Mazda CX-50 First Drive Evaluation
We take a deeper dive into the CX-50’s engineering, design and why Mazda did what they did to create a small SUV higher suited to the North American market. We additionally get it soiled.
What’s the 2023 CX-50’s value?
Pricing for the CX-50 begins at $28,025, together with the $1,225 vacation spot cost. All-wheel drive is customary, and the turbo engine improve is attained by deciding on one among three trim ranges. There aren’t any choices in addition to paint colours.
The CX-50 is definitely at its finest and best when geared up with the turbo engine. Should you’re considering of the CX-50 as an alternative choice to luxurious automobiles or midsize SUVs, which is completely a good suggestion, going with the turbo is the best way to go. It’s additionally the way you get the two-tone leather-based and stitching proven within the photographs above. Nonetheless, the bottom engine ought to present greater than adequate energy for many, and if that’s OK with you, we’d begin your search with the S Most well-liked package deal: its energy driver seat, heated seats and energy liftgate could be onerous to stay with out. Leather-based seats present up on the S Premium and all Turbo trims. Observe that there can be a late-availability Turbo Meridian Version that will get all-terrain tires, matte hood graphics and a number of outside equipment. It had not been priced on the time of this writing.
You will discover options, specs and native pricing for every CX-50 trim stage right here on Autoblog.
S = $28,025
S Choose = $29,425
S Most well-liked = $30,725
S Most well-liked Plus = $33,165
S Premium = $35,625
S Premium Plus = $37,625
Turbo = $37,625
Turbo Premium = $40,775
Turbo Premium Plus = $42,775
What are the CX-50 security rankings and driver help options?
Each CX-50 consists of ahead collision warning and computerized emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning (usually optionally available), lane-departure warning and lane-keeping help, a driver inattention warning system and adaptive cruise management (typically optionally available). Mazda’s ACC doesn’t embrace lane-centering steering help at pace, however does in stop-and-go site visitors.
The CX-50 has not been crash examined by a 3rd celebration on the time of this writing.
