When a great automobile has labored for an automotive producer for a few years, it’s no shock that they introduce a really comparable variation of the identical automobile bringing some extra capabilities to the desk however retaining all the nice issues. Such has taken place for Mazda in terms of their CX-5 compact crossover bringing us the all-new CX-50, a classy tackle the section however with a bit extra model and off-roading capabilities.
The brand new 2023 Mazda CX-50 embodies many of the ideas of the CX-5 utilizing the identical drivetrains and retaining the sporty character that you just count on out of the Mazda model. The model of the brand new CX-50 is extra mature in my opinion with a barely rugged edge when you think about its outlined plastic finders, barely elevated journey peak, and 20-inch wheels on higher trim ranges corresponding to discovered on my top-trimmed CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus take a look at automobile. There’s even a Turbo Meridian trim with elevated floor clearance, all-terrain 18-inch tires, unique hood graphics, and facet rocker garnish to suit the mould of being the extra off-roader of the various trim ranges.
The brand new model of the CX-50 builds upon the CX-5 however does it with extra character that appears fairly good with the adaptive entrance LED lighting and new quad-LED rear lights. There are even bigger twin exhaust retailers out again to intensify the higher trim ranges which have the strong turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder SKYACTIV engine.
Efficiency and Driving Character
The brand new Mazda CX-50 is solely all-wheel-drive with a front-wheel-bias longitudinal engine setup for both of the 2 engine selections with the bottom trim stage having a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. Transferring to the turbocharged engine, the really helpful powertrain, a number of higher trim ranges get a twin-scroll turbocharger setup within the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder good for 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque while you use really helpful premium gasoline. In any other case, you get 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque utilizing common unleaded.
Energy from the turbocharged engine comes on sturdy on the midrange however tends to really feel as whether it is giving out close to the redline. The ample torque is the place the engine shines and that slim band of thrust could also be misleading at instances in the event you wind out the engine at full throttle. The 6-speed automated transmission does all it will probably to maintain the engine within the comparatively slim candy spot and shortly finds the right gear wanted.
Acceleration comes on sturdy and the 0-60 mph time at 7 seconds is first rate sufficient. Driving the CX-50 is kind of distinctive in its tight dealing with and heavy electrical steering rack. At instances the steering nearly feels too heavy for this class of auto however provides to the sporty theme that Mazda is understood for.
Trip high quality is a bit on the stiff facet however not overly jarring. The tighter suspension helps within the CX-50’s sporty angle and stability the place it stays principally compliant over street bumps and imperfections, along with limiting physique roll going into sharp turns and curves. Nonetheless, you’ll wish to take a look at drive the CX-50 first because it may very well be a bit tough for some however gratifying to lighthearted lovers as it’s an SUV that communicates the texture of the street greater than others.
Towing capability will increase with the turbocharged engine to three,500 kilos, up from the two,000 pound restrict for the bottom engine trims.
Gasoline Economic system
Gasoline consumption doesn’t differ a lot, and also you’ll count on to get the EPA estimated numbers in the actual world of 23 mpg metropolis, 29 mpg freeway, and 25 mpg mixed. A number of the CX-50’s competitors is significantly better on this space however isn’t practically as fast because the CX-50 with the turbocharged engine.
Inside and Tech
Inside you’ll discover a cabin with a premium theme a lot as you count on in fashionable Mazda automobiles. There’s a neat play on the accented stitching that has an attention-grabbing cross-stitch sample with many soft-touch areas above the belt line. There appears to be a bit extra onerous plastic within the decrease areas than in another Mazda automobiles.
The newest infotainment system, equivalent to what’s present in different top-trim Mazda automobiles, is considerably of a combined bag. The display screen, a hard-to-reach 10.3-inch *touchscreen, is minimalistic in its menu units however has a irritating studying curve the place it lacks a cohesive technique of controlling it. *The display screen is just a touchscreen if the automobile is stopped and also you’re utilizing the wi-fi (or USB-connected) Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. In any other case, you’re left to utilizing the central controller and glued set of buttons situated behind the gear shifter, which once more, takes some time to get used to. I discover that the display screen being a protracted attain and locking you out of touchscreen capabilities in the event you’re not utilizing smartphone integration when the automobile isn’t in movement is the incorrect method and nonetheless doesn’t assist to forestall distraction from the street. Hopefully, Mazda will pay attention and alter issues up a bit as have others on this division.
There are many USB connections and wi-fi smartphone charging solely on the top-level CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus trim.
The seating areas up entrance presents heated and ventilated leather-based seating surfaces which are principally cozy and it’s comparatively simple to search out the optimum driving place by ample energy changes. The rear has heated outboard seats and a great quantity of house the place you may match 6-feet people.
The cargo space is considerably quick on house from what chances are you’ll in any other case count on within the larger-looking proportions of the CX-50 over the CX-5. You continue to have simply over 31 cubic toes with the rear 60/40-split seatbacks up in place and simply over 56 cubic toes with them folded.
Security
A full array of lively security options are included throughout the board for all trim ranges, together with radar cruise management with cease and go, blind-spot screens with rear-cross visitors alert, lane departure warning with lane preserve help, and driver consideration alert. The one added options in my top-level CX-50 Turbo Premium Place are entrance/rear parking sensors, a 360-degree digicam system, rear good brake assist, visitors jam help, and blind spot help.
Value
The Mazda CX-50, identical to the CX-5, presents a decent worth proposition beginning at a worth of $27,550. Although, issues get a bit excessive while you go for the highest trim with my take a look at automobile hitting $43,170 as its closing pricing that features a $1,225 supply, processing, and dealing with price. Nonetheless, on this planet of crossovers, the CX-50 stays fairly aggressive with an edge in its sporty character, highly effective turbocharged engine, and premium exterior and inside themes.
