If you consider yourself a driving enthusiast - one who likes the thrill of driving, feeling the road through the steering wheel and perceives every moment in the driver’s seat as an adventure - but still needs some form of practicality, then the Mazda CX-50 should be at the top of your prospective driving list.
The Mazda CX-50 is very similar to Mazda's best-selling vehicle, the CX-5. Coming in at six inches longer, the CX-50 is an inch higher off the ground and has a slightly more off-road demeanor by way of its more pronounced fenders. And with more than 8 inches of ground clearance (as well as an Off-Road drive mode), the CX-50 offers improved off-road and towing capabilities compared to the CX-5.
The base engine for the CX-50 is a 2.5-liter Skyactive four-cylinder, rated at 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. For drivers who enjoy a little excitement with their commute, there is an optional 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder that delivers up to 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. You'll need to use premium fuel to get those numbers, otherwise power dips to 227 hp and 310 pound-feet of torque. Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Last year, a hybrid joined the CX-50 lineup. It uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder matched to three electric motors which produces a combined 219 horses and uses a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). In keeping with its off-road image, every CX-50 is equipped with all-wheel drive.
With the addition of the hybrid drivetrain, the CX-50 now becomes available with no less than 10 trim levels. Four of those come with the base engine (Select, Preferred, Meridian Edition, Premium), three with the hybrid system (Hybrid Preferred, Hybrid Premium, Hybrid Premium Plus) while the upper 3 trim levels, the Turbo, Turbo Meridian, Turbo Premium Plus utilize the more powerful engine. The tester is the top-of-the-line Turbo Premium Plus wearing a gorgeous Cypress green hue exterior.
Making its debut in 2023, the only change the CX-50 sees for 2026 is that the outdoor theme Meridian edition is now offered with the base engine.
Enter the CX-50 and you're greeted to a near luxurious interior; one featuring exceptional craftsmanship and build quality. The controls have a solid feel, are easy to use and don’t feel at all cheap. The 10.25-inch center display isn't a touch screen but is controlled through a dial on the center console. It runs Mazda Connect with Alexa Built In and Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Mazda thought things out nicely by putting the dual climate controls beneath the display - making them super easy to access and adjust. And as we have seen in other Mazda vehicles, the volume control is placed on the center console, in perfect reach for your right hand. These controls do take some getting used to, but after a short time they become second nature and well-thought out.
The front seats offer good comfort with nice side bolsters that hold you in place. The backseat offers decent room for adults and shouldn't offend anyone. The CX-50 can carry 31.4 cubic feet of cargo behind the second row and that increases to 56.3 cubic feet with the 60/40-split rear seats folded down.
Like nearly all other Mazda's, the highlight of the CX-50 is in the driving department. Power from the turbo-four is plentiful - able to hit 60 mph in just a tick over 7 seconds. But its real asset is the way it handles. Equipped with G-Vectoring Control Technology, the CX-50 has minimal body roll and it's quick, responsive steering helps make it feel as if it's glued to the road. The ride is comfortable as it absorbs bumps and road imperfections and for the most part, keeps them isolated from the cabin.
When it comes to fuel economy, the CX-50 is about average in its class. With the base engine, the CX-50 you can expect an EPA-estimated 27 mpg combined city and highway. The upgraded turbo engine sees that drop to 25 mpg combined. Go with the new hybrid CX-50 and you can expect around 38 mpg combined.
The compact crossover SUV market is a tough class to play in. But Mazda seems to have it covered nicely. Want a typical cute SUV? Then the CX-5 will do the job. But if the possibility of some off-road adventures is in your future, and you want a blend of rugged looks and driving refinement, the CX-50 is the way to go. Either way, expect lots of fun driving experiences.