Verdict
Design | Consolation | Expertise | Efficiency | Security | Gasoline Financial system | Pricing | FAQ
I’ve misplaced monitor of what number of occasions over the previous decade I’ve answered the query “What crossover ought to I purchase?” with “The Mazda CX-5.” That automobile, which remains to be on sale at this time, has been a darling among the many jaded, spoiled ranks of automotive media nearly since its debut. I’m undecided the 2023 Mazda CX-50, which is able to nearly actually supplant the still-on-sale CX-5, will garner such a constructive fame.
Positive, the CX-50 and the CX-5 have an incredible quantity in frequent, regardless of the newer mannequin driving on a model of the CX-30’s platform. Shared powertrains, infotainment methods, driving characters, and general design ethos imply that Mazda hasn’t made the identical generational leap as its rivals. Whereas the CX-5 simply exceeded its rivals in drivability, composure, and magnificence, the hole between the CX-50 and entries from Japan, Germany, the US, and Korea is much narrower.
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Design
Exterior Colour: Zircon Sand Metallic Inside Colour: Black w/Brown Wheel Dimension: 20 Inches
I am going to admit to disliking the CX-50’s extra rugged-looking form when the primary photos appeared, however that is primarily as a result of the present CX-5 simply appears to be like so rattling good. However in particular person, the CX-50 is downright good-looking, with its personal distinct visible character. Brisker lighting, a extra outstanding grille, and a flatter hood are high-quality particulars, however the sq. wheel arches and extra deliberate two-box design are what set the CX-50 aside. Additionally, I dig the hell out of the Zircon Sand paint on my tester.
Mazda’s flowing inside aesthetic will get more durable, extra rugged detailing within the CX-50 by way of sturdy, vertical local weather vents with satin-chrome surrounds and tan baseball-style stitching on the Premium Plus. However the infotainment display nonetheless seemingly sprouts up from the sprint and there are nice curves all through the cabin, sustaining the pure, almost-organic design language of previous Mazdas. Inside or out, that is probably the most engaging automobile within the class and by an enormous margin.
That stated, I am involved over Mazda’s construct high quality right here. Opening the doorways got here with a tinny clang from the handles and there was a metallic thud from across the sunroof each time I shut one of many doorways.
Consolation
Seating Capability: 5 Seating Configuration: 2 / 3 Cargo Capability: 31.4 / 56.3 Cubic Toes
Regardless of the stouter styling, the quantity of house for passengers and cargo does not change a lot from CX-5 to CX-50. Which means a beneficiant entrance row with loads of headroom, along with a pair of supportive, well-padded seats. Sightlines are wonderful in all instructions. The second row is kind of roomy, too, and I would not hesitate to shove 4 6-footers into the CX-50’s cabin.
The Turbo Premium Plus tester’s commonplace 20-inch wheels and 45-section tires damage the experience high quality, however even with the aggressive rolling inventory and a firmer-than-usual suspension, the CX-50 is suitably compliant and secure. There’s a little bit of street noise, although, and the Mazda struggles to maintain the whistling winds out of the cabin, particularly across the A-pillars.
Expertise & Connectivity
Middle Show: 10.3-inch Show Instrument Cluster Show: 7.0-inch Wi-fi Apple CarPlay or Android Auto: Sure
All however the base CX-50 include a ten.3-inch show that depends on a bodily knob and buttons on the middle console moderately than the extra common touchscreen format. Due to that, Mazda is ready to mount the show fairly deep on the sprint – the result’s a beautiful housing, however man oh man, I want this have been a touchscreen on a regular basis.
The native working system solely accepts inputs from a bodily knob and buttons. It reacts shortly to those instructions, positive, however the menu construction is a multitude. Say you wish to stray out of your traditional preset satellite tv for pc radio stations; moderately than one, two, and even three inputs, it takes six. Programming locations or tweaking the settings is equally arduous.
Apple CarPlay provides one other bewildering layer to issues, as a result of it accepts contact instructions. I can’t start to understand why Mazda would come with touchscreen {hardware} that’s solely usable by way of third-party software program and never its personal native OS, however right here we’re. And to make issues worse, the show is so distant that even utilizing CarPlay’s contact instructions is annoying at greatest. The 7.0-inch cluster show trails newer competitors too, and that is earlier than making an allowance for its nearly whole lack of reconfigurability.
Efficiency & Dealing with
Engine: Turbocharged 2.5-liter I4 Output: 227 Horsepower / 310 Pound-Toes Transmission: Six-Pace Automated
The CX-50 is out there with two powertrains – a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque or a turbocharged 2.5-liter with output depending on gas octane. Gasoline your turbocharged CX-50 with common ol’ 87 and you will see 227 hp and 310 lb-ft, whereas 93-octane gas ups the output to 256 ponies and 320 lb-ft.
My tester had the latter engine, and like all CX-50s, its energy will get to the usual all-wheel-drive system by way of a six-speed computerized. The engine itself is merely a special web page of the identical guide – it’ll really feel acquainted to anybody that is pushed a turbocharged CX-5, which sandwiches implausible mid-range punch between laggy off-the-line character and peaky efficiency close to the 6,300-rpm redline. The six-speed computerized is easy and predictable as soon as shifting, though just like the engine, it feels torpid rolling off the road.
Dealing with has been a strongpoint for Mazda since earlier than the Zoom-Zoom days, and the CX-50 is not any exception. That is arguably probably the most entertaining automobile within the class to throw round and it is down largely to the steering – the wheel itself has a skinny rim and a smallish diameter, whereas the rack advantages from a decent useless zone relative to extra relaxed rivals, which contributes to the sensation of fast reflexes that make the CX-50 so enjoyable. The suspension is firmer than traditional, too, and it appears like this Mazda will tolerate way more aggressive driving than a lot of the competitors.
Security
Driver Help Stage: SAE Stage 2 (Fingers-On) NHTSA Ranking: Not Rated IIHS Ranking: High Security Decide Plus
The 2023 CX-50 is handsomely outfitted on the security entrance. Each trim comes commonplace with full-speed adaptive cruise management, lane-keep help, computerized emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic help. Go for the turbocharged Premium Plus featured right here and the CX-50 provides rear computerized emergency braking, Site visitors Jam Help, and steering intervention for the blind-spot monitor.
These methods work properly – the sensitivity is spot on, and it reacts to altering situations – however the steering intervention could possibly be a lot stronger. The lane-keep help is lax and even the addition of steering intervention for blind-spot monitoring hardly ever appears like greater than a delicate poke on the shoulder when it ought to be a stable faucet.
Gasoline Financial system
Metropolis: 23 MPG Freeway: 29 MPG Mixed: 25 MPG
2023 Mazda CX-50 2.5T
23 MPG 29 MPG 25 MPG 2022 Chevrolet Equinox 1.5T AWD 25 MPG 30 MPG 27 MPG 2023 Honda CR-V 1.5T AWD 27 MPG 32 MPG 29 MPG 2023 Hyundai Tucson 2.5 AWD 23 MPG 28 MPG 25 MPG 2023 Nissan Rogue 1.5T AWD 28 MPG 34 MPG 31 MPG
Pricing
Base Value: $27,550 + $1,275 Vacation spot* Trim Base Value: $43,575 As-Examined Value: $43,970
The 2023 CX-50 will ultimately begin at $28,825 (together with a $1,275 vacation spot cost). The issue is that absolutely half of the CX-50’s trims, together with all however one naturally aspirated trim, will not be obtainable till early 2023 at greatest. Waltz right into a Mazda seller as of this writing and the efficient base worth for the CX-50 is $38,425, or almost $10,000 greater than will probably be as soon as manufacturing finishes ramping up.
For that worth, you’ll be able to rating both a loaded naturally aspirated mannequin or a base turbocharged trim. My range-topping Turbo Premium Plus begins at $43,575. There aren’t any choices except for elective paint and dealer-installed equipment, though the highest trim does embody just a few further security goodies, heated outboard rear seats, and a surround-view digital camera system that you just will not discover elsewhere within the CX-50 lineup. That worth is among the many highest within the phase – and it is way more costly than the phase common, which sits at about $33,000.
However the CX-50 is a stable worth for those who’re purchasing on the high of the mainstream compact crossover phase. Solely loaded examples of the GMC Terrain Denali, Jeep Cherokee, and new Ford Escape (to not point out just a few plug-in hybrids that do not actually compete with the CX-50) exceed my CX-50’s as-tested worth. However whereas a lot of the market maxes out at $37,000 to $40,000, automobiles just like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Volkswagen Tiguan, and Hyundai Tucson are both a lot much less highly effective than the turbocharged CX-50 or lag it on inside high quality (or each… sorry Toyota).