2023 Mazda CX-50 Review
The 2023 Mazda CX-50 is a five-passenger compact crossover SUV. The CX-50 slots its off-roadable wagon into the segment’s adventurous lifestyle.
Which is typified by vehicles like the Ford Bronco Sport, Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk, Toyota RAV4 Adventure, and more. It is longer and broader than the CX-5 but lower than it.
Is the 2023 Mazda CX-50 a good SUV?
The Mazda CX-50, which shares the platform with the Mazda CX-30 but was co-developed with the Toyota Corolla Cross, adds an interesting component to the small but powerful Mazda lineup. We give it a 6.4 out of 10, with a nod for features but a question mark for security.
What’s new for the 2023 Mazda CX-50?
The Mazda CX-50, which will be released in 2023, stands out from previous Mazda designs with its circular wheel arches and short overhangs.
Six levels of non-turbo trim, ranging from S to Premium Plus, and three with a turbo-4, are available.
With squared-off black cladding over the wheels and bulging fenders merging with a more subdued roofline, Mazda clearly has its sights set on a more rough future here.
Except for the black-on-black philosophy, which may be toned down with tan accent stitching, the inside resembles many other Mazda crossovers.
The low-set dashboard is topped by a display screen, which may be controlled using a console-based dial and buttons.
Turbocharging is available on the 2.5-liter engines under the hood. The 187-hp base 2.5-liter inline-4 is found in the smaller CX-30, and it isn’t one to impress the crowd.
It suits itself better with the 227-hp 2.5-liter turbo-4’s swole power, although it has some low-end lag.
Both engines feature a 6-speed automatic transmission with a higher ratio for a more engaging driving experience, but at the cost of noise in the cabin.
All-wheel drive is standard on the 2023 Mazda CX-50, which has the same front struts and rear torsion beam suspension as other Mazda SUVs.
The CX-50 has a more sophisticated traction control system than the previous model and delivers a tighter ride on the pavement than the latter.
It also differs from the former by having steering that mind-melds with its well-tuned suspension. It has a hotter-hatch appearance than the early CX-5 crossovers.
The Mazda CX-50 offers excellent front seats with enough rear-seat space for four adults to rest comfortably in the backseat, whether driving, riding shotgun, or sleeping. Slim, short, and uncommon are qualities of a fifth passenger.
Mazda claims that the CX-50 has a more usefully organized space, both wider and longer, for flat-pack furniture enthusiasts and ladder-of-the-month clubbers alike than the Mazda CX-5 does overall cargo room behind the front seats.
Automatic emergency braking, active lane management, blind-spot monitoring, and other standard driver-assist functions are standard on the Mazda CX-50, although no crash tests have been published.
How much does the 2023 Mazda CX-50 cost?
The 2023 Mazda CX-50 is offered with an all-wheel drive and an 8.8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and leather upholstery for $28,025.
The larger 10.3-inch screen, synthetic leather seating, panoramic glass roof, and Bose 10-speaker audio are all attractive features of the Premium 2.5S for $35,625.
Where is the 2023 Mazda CX-50 made?
Mazda collaborates with Toyota to make automobiles at its joint facility in Huntsville, Alabama.
Read also: Mazda CX-50 vs Audi Q5
Styling
Is the Mazda CX-50 a good-looking car?
Although the Mazda CX-50 isn’t as polished as previous Mazda SUV models, it is handsome in most situations and clumsy in the curves. Is there a cabin?
Its dark-on-dark color combinations are familiar, if not altogether friendly. We rate it a 7 for both the exterior and interior design.
The Mazda CX-50 has a big, deeper front grill that is a trendsetting feature. The integrity is dispelled by outstretched front fenders that seem to belong to a different vehicle, as well as tiny headlights, which bring it all together.
The strong fender design reappears at the back, squared off over the back wheels, while the roofline stamps out a crisp, angular appearance than the more curvaceous CX-5.
The rear of this vehicle is adorned with mock air outlets reminiscent of saddlebags, which shift it out of the gently rounded past.
A horizontal bar supports an 8.8-inch or 10.3-inch touchscreen platform that is used in Mazda’s typical dashboard design.
The CX-50 cabin succeeds more with less, having been downsized to a minimal set of buttons and switches with metallic trim splinters across the dash and around the vents, save for its feature-filled steering wheel.
While the CX-50’s touchscreen is still out of reach for most drivers, the console includes a rotary control knob for them to get used to.
Performance Specs
How fast is the Mazda CX-50?
2023 Mazda CX-50 vehicles come in two-engine configurations. The 187-hp, 2.5-liter inline-4 requires a lot of effort to keep running.
We put this powertrain through its paces in the previous CX-5, which has all-wheel drive, and it performs in a whole new class than the current CX-5.
Because of the Mazda 6-speed automatic’s fewer gears and extra weight from all-wheel drive, the Mazda CX-50 will not be able to achieve six-second 0-60 mph acceleration runs.
The 2.5-liter turbo-4 in-top trims have been a lot of fun for us. The turbo engine comes with the 6-speed automatic and all-wheel drive, as well as 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque (on regular gas; with 93-octane fuel, it’s 256 horsepower/320 lb-ft of torque).
The CX-50 lags before it spools up completely, with some low-end turbo lag even when pushed into a Sport drive mode, at 2,000 rpm upwards, it delivers the majority of its available torque for passing on highways. It’s less reactive around town.
The Mazda CX-50’s appeal lies in its steering and handling in both situations. It doesn’t have the CX-5’s lumpy responses or the CX-30’s petite responses when driving on rumpled roads, and it is longer than both.
With solid steering feel that stays centered and tracks down the highway without the aimless, distracted feel of certain of its South Korean rivals, it’s an outstanding interstate cruiser for that reason.
While there are no adaptive dampers or air springs in the Mazda CX-50, it is slowed by Mazda’s composure.
Whether you’re clicking through esses or not, threading your way through canyon passes is both enjoyable and comfortable.
With the new Off-road and Towing drive modes, the Mazda CX-50 can carry loads up to 3,500 lb (2,000 lb on the base model).
The latter improves braking performance while reducing steering feeling to improve off-road performance.
The CX-50 can tow box trailers or plan tough trails on gravel, with a ground clearance of up to 8.3 inches on the base vehicle and 8.6 inches on the turbo edition, allowing it to do so with elegance.
Fuel Economy
Is the Mazda CX-50 good on gas?
That isn’t a very good performance. The EPA gives it a 24-city, 30-highway, and 27-combined average in base trim.
That gets a three on the rating scale. The Hyundai Tucson offers a combined 29 mpg, while the Subaru Forester offers a combined 33 mpg when compared to its rivals.
The Mazda CX-50’s fuel economy drops to 23/29/25 mpg with the turbo-4 engine. There is currently no news of a hybrid version.
Quality and Comfort
Mazda used to be known for its sophisticated and quiet interiors, but that’s no longer the case. The Mazda CX-50 is a noisy vehicle when driven, despite its good seats, large cargo capacity, and attractive interior design in high-cost models.
In terms of the Mazda CX 50 vs CX 5 comparison, when compared to the platforms shared by the smaller CX-5 vs CX-30, the Mazda CX-50 has been stretched to make it longer and wider.
The Mazda CX-30 has a 6.4-inch shorter wheelbase than the Mazda CX-50, whereas the Mazda CX-5 has a 4.6-inch longer wheelbase.
The CX-5’s predecessor is also 5.7 inches longer and 3.0 inches wider than the current model, measuring 185.8 inches long by 75.6 inches broad.
The Mazda CX-50’s fit and finish will be noticed by anyone who has driven a lesser competitor.
Mazda places a high value on the materials used in its cars, and the CX-50 delivers them even more astonishingly with its optional panoramic sunroof.
The front seats of the leather-lined CX-50 are supportive and well-shaped, with most trims offering power assist and good seat adjustment.
We don’t believe the Mazda CX-50 is substantially better because its back seat isn’t much larger than the still-available CX-5. It has enough room to house a family of three people, yet it still looks tiny.
In comparison to the CX-5, the cargo area behind the back seats has grown to 31.4 cubic feet, while those seatbacks are lowered to 56.3 cubic feet.
IKEA enthusiasts may offer their opinion on how much more useful the new Mazda is compared to the previous model.
The CX-50’s tactile qualities stand out against the background of the audibles. If Mazda wants to succeed in the 2023 Mazda CX-50, which is up against tire, road, and wind noise, it will have to provide more power with less noise.
Safety
How safe is the Mazda CX-50?
The CX-50 comes equipped with standard automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, automatic high beams, and active lane control. There isn’t any data on how well it performs in a crash.
Parking sensors are available, as are a surround-view camera system and a rear vision system, which is not as great as front vision. This rating will be updated as more information is provided.
Warranty
Because of its SAT, the Mazda CX-50 would be a quick admissions candidate. The car loses a point for standard and optional features, value, and infotainment, with a 3-year/36,000 middlebrow mile warranty excluding free oil changes.
The 2023 Mazda CX-50 has nine different trims, which is an exaggeration. The $28,025 base model comes with an all-wheel drive, power facility, keyless ignition, fabric upholstery, and an 8.8-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The user has to turn the console knob for the native function, which is a time-consuming task. On Android and Apple devices, Mazda comes with touchscreen input.
