Mazda CX-50 – Review, Specs, Pricing, Features, Videos and More
As Mazda continues to move upscale, the brand is introducing a new line of vehicles. The CX-50 is a more rugged, premium companion to the compact CX-5 SUV. It offers the same choice of drivetrains in a more stylish package with premium interior finishes.
There’s also a special Meridian trim level that enhances the vehicle’s off-road capabilities. It’s our favorite trim and the one we recommend.
Pros | Styling, Ride Comfort (Meridian), Turbo Engine |
Cons | Ride Comfort (Non-Meridian), Can Get Pricey, Tight Headroom |
Bottom Line | The CX-50 is a stylish compact SUV that really hits its sweet spot with the Meridian Trim |
Table of contents
- 2024 Mazda CX-50 Is More Expensive, Gains New Suspension Dampers
- Mazda CX-50 Meridian vs Subaru Forester Wilderness: Moderate Muddin’
- VIDEO - 2023 Mazda CX-50 Review: Quick Take
- 2023 Mazda CX-50 Review: Quick Take
- VIDEO - Best Small SUV | Testing (almost) Every Compact SUV
- Best Small SUV | Testing (almost) Every Compact SUV
- Mazda CX-30 vs Mazda CX-50 Comparison: The Inbetweeners
- 2023 Mazda CX-50 First Drive Review: Destination Outback
- Ford Bronco Sport vs Mazda CX-50: Which Rugged Compact SUV is Right for You?
- Competitor
- Detailed Specs
- Our Final Verdict
2024 Mazda CX-50 Is More Expensive, Gains New Suspension Dampers
The Mazda CX-50 gets a little more refined and somewhat more expensive for 2024.
Mazda’s latest compact crossover, the CX-50, is a critical darling – we certainly love it. For 2024, the model is getting a few updates and a higher price.
The 2024 Mazda CX-50 now starts at $31,675, including the $1,375 destination fee. That’s quite a bit higher than the $28,025 base price for examples of the 2023 model year cars. However, this is likely due to the fact that the base 2.5 S model has been dropped, making the 2.5 S Select the new entry-level model.
Mazda CX-50 Meridian vs Subaru Forester Wilderness: Moderate Muddin’
When a television series grips the world’s attention as it explodes in popularity; there’s bound to be spin-offs.
The same is true in the automotive world. Segments that are red hot inevitably lead to smaller, niche sub-segments. Case in point – compact SUVs. Having become the defacto choice for family vehicles, manufacturers are clamouring to get more and more of the segment’s prosperous pie.
One strategy is to build speciality compact SUVs, like the two we’re featuring here. Designed to be more capable off-road focused models, both the 2023 Mazda CX-50 Meridian and 2023 Subaru Forester Wilderness aren’t afraid to get a bit dirty. This is good news as our test day features anything but pleasant driving conditions.
VIDEO - 2023 Mazda CX-50 Review: Quick Take
2023 Mazda CX-50 Review: Quick Take
Recently, we held a massive 2022 AutoGuide Compact SUV Comparison test presented by NRS Brakes. We’re now going to take a closer look at one of the more specialized entries in that massive match-up, with our 2023 Mazda CX-50 review.
The compact SUV segment has become so big that now brands are starting to offer numerous options to capitalize on demand. Take the Mazda CX-50 here, another compact SUV with a slightly different angle than its existing best-seller, the CX-5.
VIDEO - Best Small SUV | Testing (almost) Every Compact SUV
Best Small SUV | Testing (almost) Every Compact SUV
Welcome to the single most important comparison we will have all year. The AutoGuide 2022 Best Small SUV Comparison sponsored by NRS Brakes.
The average family car these days isn’t even a car at all anymore. Compact SUVs are the sweet spot these days, selling thousands of examples every single day in Canada and the United States. So we’ve assembled 11 of them, from all corners of the market, to figure out which one is best. Yes, eleven. Go big or go home, they say. It’s time for AutoGuide 2022 Best Small SUV Comparison.
This group covers all the big hitters, including the segment-leading Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. Mazda sent us two SUVs, in the shapes of the subtly different CX-5 and CX-50. More rugged options like the Ford Bronco Sport and Jeep Compass are here, too. Amongst the pack are of course a few hybrids as well. If you’re shopping this part of the market, at least a few of these SUVs will be on your short list.
Mazda CX-30 vs Mazda CX-50 Comparison: The Inbetweeners
With SUVs continuing to dominate the sales charts, automakers are taking a Baskin-Robbins-style, 31-flavor approach to their lineups.
Mazda’s main flavor in this class is the CX-5, a great-driving compact crossover that now occupies fourth place on the sales charts. That success makes it ubiquitous, however, and Mazda now offers two additional flavors on either side of its best-seller.
The CX-30 came first, a slightly smaller offering with a classy interior. It’s a better buy than the equivalent sub-compact Mercedes. Now here comes the CX-50, which takes Mazda in a more rugged direction. It’s a little larger than the CX-5, yet all three offer same-but-different driving experiences. With this ability to tailor your ride to your exact needs, we spent a week with both of the double-digit offerings to figure out what sets them apart.
2023 Mazda CX-50 First Drive Review: Destination Outback
The continued popularity of the SUV is pushing manufacturers to explore previously uncharted parts of the market.
Take Mazda. The artist formerly known as the Zoom-Zoom brand has steadily increased its crossover quotient, to the point they now account for 80 percent of the brand’s sales in the US. The compact CX-5 leads the charge; with 168,383 sold in the country last year, it makes up over half of Mazda’s yearly sales. Clearly the brand has found something good here—but also something that it can’t easily change.
That’s where the new 2023 Mazda CX-50 steps in. According to Mazda’s own research, more people are looking to outdoor activities than only a few years ago. (No prizes for guessing why.) The CX-50 promises a more rugged experience than the CX-5, a vehicle to out-Outback the Outback. After a day spent driving the CX-50 on and off roads, with and without a trailer, we’re confident in saying the handsome new Mazda has found its target.
Ford Bronco Sport vs Mazda CX-50: Which Rugged Compact SUV is Right for You?
Today’s driver tends to prefer a SUV for a variety of reasons. Car-like handling characteristics and maneuverability, an elevated driving position, all-weather traction from widely-available All-Wheel Drive (AWD), flexibility and space that’s easy to appreciate for growing families.
Below, we’ll compare two newcomers to the market: the new-for-2023 Mazda CX-50, and the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport—now in its second model year after debuting in 2021.
The Mazda CX-50 is an all-new model running the brand’s latest AWD technology, as well as a variety of feature and equipment touches that aim it towards shoppers active in an outdoor, off-road setting.
The Ford Bronco Sport targets a similar shopper after a traditional crossover driving experience with elevated off-road capability that’s ready when required.
Competitor
Detailed Specs
Price | $27,550 - $42,300 |
Engine | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder / 2.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder |
Power | 187 hp / 256 hp |
Torque | 186 lb-ft. / 320 lb-ft. |
Drivetrain | AWD |
Transmission | 6AT |
Fuel Economy (city/hwy) | 23-24 mpg / 29-30 mpg |
Cargo Capacity | 31.4 cu ft. |
Our Final Verdict
Mazda CX-50
Overall | 3.8 |
Performance | 8.0 |
Features | 8.0 |
Comfort | 6.0 |
Quality & Styling | 9.0 |
Value | 7.0 |
More by AutoGuide.com Staff
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