Featuring a blunt nose, long hood, rakish windshield, and a cabin pulled back toward the rear wheels, the 2023 Mazda CX-50 exhibits the subtle seductiveness that has characterized most of the automakers cars and SUVs for the past decade. While the standard powertrain is commendable, people seeking stronger acceleration and a towing capacity increase from 2,000 pounds to 3,500 pounds will want the CX-50 2.5 Turbo. CarGurus has 2,965 nationwide CX-50 listings starting at $28,420. However, the test vehicles ventilated front seats sure came in handy and the dual-zone automatic climate control effectively chilled the cabin. However, the CX-50 is missing a hill-descent control system. We experienced this first-hand on the arid plains west of New Cuyama, California, where Mazda set up an off-road course to demonstrate the SUV's hill climbing, hill descent, wheel articulation, power transfer, and soft soil capabilities. (34 mi), San Diego, CA Not only is the company planning to roll out electrified powertrains and a new rear-drive vehicle architecture, Mazda is also reconfiguring its lineup with new naming conventions and trying to move its brand into premium territory. I also like the low-key steering wheel vibration associated with the lane-departure warning system. There isnt any turbo lag to speak of, and power builds in deliberate rather than sudden fashion. And when it's time to get rid of your old ride, sell your car simply and securely on CarGurus. Nevertheless, the CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus was a pleasure to pilot in all situations. The dial is positioned right where my hand is while driving. (12 mi), Carlsbad, CA And if you only want to see cars with a single owner, recent price drops, photos, or available financing, our filters can help with that too. As part of theAPEAL Study, owners rated Compact SUVs in 10 primary categories. That eliminates the need for the driver to look away from the road ahead and at the side mirrors to see if its safe to change lanes. Email me price drops and new listings for these results. Is it cold where you live? (41 mi), Inglewood, CA We'll help you find great deals among the millions of vehicles available nationwide on CarGurus, and we'll provide you with dealer reviews and vehicle history for each one. The automaker says those platforms are not compatible with its native design for Mazda Connect, so youll have the option to reach for the distant display and input touch commands if you prefer. (20 mi), Torrance, CA (32 mi). Enter your zip to see incentives for a new CX-50 in your area. It is a delight to drive. The price of the test vehicle came to $43,175, including the $1,225 destination charge. There are two versions of the 2023 Mazda CX-50. 2022 CarGurus, Inc., All Rights Reserved. The evaluation took place in Santa Barbara, California, and the surrounding region. The testing day was warm and sunny, and the three-stage ventilated seats effectively cool you down when you're sweaty. Since the climate controls are completely divorced from Mazda Connect, the bulk of my frustration using the system pertains to stereo and navigation functions. As the automaker asserts, the point is to make the CX-50 feel the same in each situation rather than dramatically different for sake of feeling dramatically different. Power 2021 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, 50 percent of new Compact SUV buyers are female (vs. 39 percent across all automotive segments), and the median age of a new Compact SUV buyer is 60 years (vs. 57). Or get a Mazda Connect redesign optimized for touchscreen functionality. Other competitors to the 2023 CX-50 include theChevrolet Equinox,Ford Escape,GMC Terrain,Honda CR-V,Jeep Cherokee,Subaru Forester,Toyota RAV4, andVolkswagen Tiguan. (28 mi). Once you're ready to narrow down your search results, go ahead and filter by price, mileage, transmission, trim, days on lot, drivetrain, color, engine, options, and deal ratings. (11 mi), Glendale, CA Once you're ready to narrow down your search results, go ahead and filter by price, mileage, transmission, trim, days on lot, drivetrain, color, engine, options, and deal ratings. Speaking of baby steps, Bose has been stepping up its premium sound system game, and thats evident in the new CX-50. Power data showing what people like and don't like about compact SUVs, it appears that Mazda has positioned itself for success in the segment. On a positive note, the available smartphone charger doesnt live in the bottom of the center storage console like it does in a Mazda3. Why don't Mazdas have touchscreens? Glendora, CA Power 2021 Initial Quality Study (IQS). Based on our experience, you should find the CX-50s front chairs comfortable for hours on end. (34 mi), Escondido, CA Oversized air intake and vent designs impart performance and somehow avoid offending the eye. Used Mazda CX-5 With Automatic Transmission. The four top-rated attributes relate to styling, driving dynamics, safety, and the ease of entering and exiting the vehicle. Christian Wardlaw is a veteran digital automotive journalist with nearly 30 years of experience in test-driving vehicles. However, you'll find yourself looking down to choose the correct one unless you memorize the button positions for the main system functions that surround the center console control knob. (37 mi), Torrance, CA (15 mi), Vallejo, CA (16 mi), Buena Park, CA The bottom four attributes are powertrain, driving comfort, infotainment, and fuel economy. When paired with the CX-50s standard black grille and mirror caps and the available 20-inch wheels, these exterior design elements come together in an appealing way. In the CX-5 andMazda6sedan, only fuel economy ranks lower. Or get a conversational voice recognition system, like Amazon Alexa Built-in (see Acura). Storage space is adequate. After traveling the long and winding Tepusquet Road east of Santa Maria, California, I'd forgotten I was driving an SUV until I went to step out of the CX-50 and realized how high off the ground the vehicle sits. Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing modes work with the SUVs G-Vectoring Control (GVC) technology to ensure natural vehicle behavior in all four of those circumstances, and differences between them are so slight as to make you wonder why Mazda bothers. Powers written permission. The automaker's decades of dedication to creating a sensation of a horse and its rider as one, a philosophy it callsjinba ittai, is plainly evident in the new CX-50. But the automaker isnt the only one excelling in these areas. (37 mi), Norco, CA We'll help you find great deals among the millions of vehicles available nationwide on CarGurus, and we'll provide you with dealer reviews and vehicle history for each one. Whether you're making time on the freeway, threading through a city, or zooming down a favorite back road, the CX-50 feels good in your hands and under the seat of your pants. Mazda Connect has a steep learning curve because it does not offer natural, conversational voice-recognition technology or touchscreen operation (except for when using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto). After all, over 30 million shoppers use CarGurus to find great deals on used cars and new cars in their area. In the base 2.5 S trim, it comes with an 8.8-inch display. Vertical air vents surround the instrument cluster and anchor each end of the dashboard, leaving a lone off-center vent in the middle of the dash that looks too small and too conspicuous, as though it was an afterthought. The problem with the CX-50s higher price range is that Mazda effectively pits this new compact SUV against larger models such as the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento, each of which offers plenty of value combined with electrified powertrain options that supply superior fuel economy. TheHyundai Tucsonand theBuick Envisionare the next highest-ranked models. The steering wheel has a sharply radiused leading edge that can cause some discomfort during long drives. 1,625 Great Deals out of 25,671 listings starting at, 1,921 Great Deals out of 29,953 listings starting at, 339 Great Deals out of 7,579 listings starting at, 808 Great Deals out of 21,858 listings starting at, 933 Great Deals out of 11,268 listings starting at, 6 Great Deals out of 37 listings starting at. Mazda says touchscreens are too distracting to drivers. A full-throttle acceleration run suggested that the Mazda could struggle with such a load on some on mountain grades, but take solace in the automakers claim that improved powertrain cooling will deliver reliable towing capability. Once youve settled on an engine, you need to choose a trim package. (15 mi), Montebello, CA Instead, it gets its own slot under the leading edge of the center armrest. A couple of side bins help to secure jugs of milk or bottles of wine, and there are hooks for hanging plastic grocery bags. 1,625 Great Deals out of 25,671 listings starting at, 1,921 Great Deals out of 29,953 listings starting at, 339 Great Deals out of 7,579 listings starting at, 808 Great Deals out of 21,858 listings starting at, 933 Great Deals out of 11,268 listings starting at, 6 Great Deals out of 37 listings starting at. Other trim levels include a larger 10.25-inch display. Most Mazda CX-50 buyers are likely to choose the more affordable and fuel-efficient 2.5 S model. It operated as advertised and didn't allow me to let go of the steering wheel for very long before issuing reminders to retake control. El Cajon, CA Our fully equipped CX-50 2.5 Turbo had power-adjustable heated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, heated side mirrors, and heated windshield wipers. (52 mi), San Jose, CA Most versions of theSUVinclude rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports, and many have a center armrest with embedded cupholders. Mazda equips its vehicles with G-Vectoring Control (GVC). (25 mi), Norco, CA The test vehicle had all the bells and whistles, including leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. EvenAcura, the only other automaker resistant to installing touchscreens in its vehicles, offers Amazon Alexa Built-in to alleviate these problems. The leather used in the more expensive versions of the CX-50 looks and feels like quality material and features caramel contrast stitching that extends to the dashboard and door panels. moving trailer with the CX-50 2.5 Turbo, and it had no trouble cruising on flat highways at 65 mph. (88 mi), Oakland, CA (20 mi), Placentia, CA We'll help you find great deals among the millions of vehicles available nationwide on CarGurus, and we'll provide you with dealer reviews and vehicle history for each one. Like other compact crossovers, it sits higher off the ground than a car, so you simply slide in and out. (70 mi), Concord, CA While concept cars typically experience drastic change before production, Cadillac says this car will reach buyers driveways without significant concessions in design. This brake-based weight-transfer system helps a Mazda feel more responsive, better balanced, and more natural when braking for a curve and accelerating out of a turn. The turbo four makes between 227 hp and 256 hp depending on what kind of gas you pump into the fuel tank. Also, while running through the list of sample voice commands that I use in every test vehicle, Mazda Connect's voice-recognition technology achieved a 50-percent success rate. Mazda missed opportunities to include bins in the door panel armrests and a shelf across the dashboard between the vertical air vents. Once you're ready to narrow down your search results, go ahead and filter by price, mileage, transmission, trim, days on lot, drivetrain, color, engine, options, and deal ratings. Email me price drops and new listings for these results. Maximum cargo space measures 56.3 cubic feet, a little less than a CX-5 due to the CX-50s lower roofline. The i-Activesense collection of safety features includes: Automatic high-beam headlights are also standard on all CX-50 trims. Powers. Overall, the CX-50s driving assistance systems work well, with a single notable exception. As it goes on sale, 2023 Mazda CX-50 prices range from $26,800 to $41,550, plus a $1,225 destination charge to ship the SUV from Mazda's new Huntsville, Alabama, factory to your local dealership. After all, over 30 million shoppers use CarGurus to find great deals on used cars and new cars in their area. We think modern Mazdas have the design, the quality, the technology, and the driving dynamics to support a premium price. They could use a touch more side bolstering, though, given how well this SUV runs down a curvy road. Mazda goes to great lengths to make its products feel smooth, natural, and engaging to drive. (67 mi), Concord, CA (34 mi), Vista, CA This drivetrain, which Mazda expects to return 27 mpg in combined city and highway driving, should prove adequately powerful for many people. We'll help you find great deals among the millions of vehicles available nationwide on CarGurus, and we'll provide you with dealer reviews and vehicle history for each one. (40 mi), Torrance, CA And if you only want to see cars with a single owner, recent price drops, photos, or available financing, our filters can help with that too. Rear doors that open to nearly a 90-degree angle and unintrusive wheel wells make entry and exit easier, too. The CX-50 2.5 S comes with six of them, while the CX-50 2.5 Turbo offers four, including the upcoming Meridian Edition. The 2023 Mazda CX-50 looks great, is fun to drive, and is designed to support (drum roll, please) active lifestyles. Typically, Mazdas rate high for safety. No portion of these reviews may be reproduced, distributed, publicly displayed, or used for a derivative work without J.D. The 2.5 S model lineup has a 187-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, while the 2.5 Turbo variants feature a stronger 2.5-liter turbocharged four that generates as much as 256 hp and 320 pound-feet of torque. In my opinion, the technology needs: But don't just take my word for Mazda Connect's shortcomings. That performance bodes well for the new CX-50. Its not until you arrive at your destination, open the door, and step out of the vehicle that you remember the CX-50 is a crossover with a higher ride height and up to 8.6 inches of ground clearance. In the CX-50, drivers can choose from Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and, with the turbocharged engine, Towing. According to data collected from verified new-vehicle buyers for theJ.D. Getting into and out of a Mazda CX-50 is easy. (71 mi), Santa Clara, CA But the Mazda Connect infotainment system is a real liability unless you run Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, activate the new touchscreen control function, and use Siri or Google Assistant instead of the native voice-control technology. The all-new 2023 Chevrolet Colorado comes in five trim levels: WT (Work Truck), LT, Z71, ZR2, and the new Trail Boss. After all, over 30 million shoppers use CarGurus to find great deals on used cars and new cars in their area. The opinions expressed in this review are the authors own, not J.D. (76 mi), Fremont, CA (46 mi), San Juan Capistrano, CA 2023 Mazda CX-50 2.5 S Preferred Plus AWD For Sale, 2023 Mazda CX-50 2.5 S Premium Plus AWD For Sale, 2023 Mazda CX-50 2.5 S Select AWD For Sale, 2023 Mazda CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium AWD For Sale, 2023 Mazda CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus AWD For Sale. The 2023 Mazda CX-50 shares powertrains and underlying technology with the CX-5, but it's otherwise different, offering slightly more rear-seat room and practical cargo space in a longer, lower, and wider design. Email me price drops and new listings for these results. And if you only want to see cars with a single owner, recent price drops, photos, or available financing, our filters can help with that too. (30 mi), Escondido, CA In a CX-50, it is not. "Hey Mazda," other automakers have found a way to operate the infotainment system, climate system, and other vehicle functions using natural voice commands without looking away from the road. Naturally, the CX-50 2.5 Turbo's fuel-economy ratings are lower, at 23 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. For example, the wide panel between the vertical air vents could be a shelf instead of a home for a single horizontal air vent that looks like an afterthought. This approach, combined with a static infotainment screen that is not touch-sensitive (except in certain situations) and a frequently ineffective voice-recognition system, causes both distraction and frustration when executing simple tasks. After all, over 30 million shoppers use CarGurus to find great deals on used cars and new cars in their area. It wore a Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $43,170, including the destination charge of $1,225 to ship the SUV from Mazdas new Alabama factory to your local dealership. (20 mi), Costa Mesa, CA (16 mi), Torrance, CA The Mazda Connect infotainment system is standard in all CX-50 SUVs. The CX-50 excels in each area. That sensation is what people have come to expect from a Mazda. Also, the amount of twisting, pushing, and toggling you'll do with the center console knob while simultaneously looking at the screen also distracts a driver. (17 mi), Placentia, CA However, Mazda has a strong track record for earning the highest-possible scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). (40 mi), Costa Mesa, CA We thought we also detected a hint of unexpected (and unwanted) torque steer while accelerating out of tighter turns. With the 2023 CX-50, Mazda has decided to offer touchscreen control of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. We found the CX-50 capable of tackling off-roading situations that no car could, though its worth noting the Mazda lacks a downhill assist control system. Pump 87 into the tank and you'll get the lower figures. 2022 CarGurus, Inc., All Rights Reserved. Riverside, CA This time, it's with the debut of the all-new 2023 Honda Civic Type R, the fastest and most powerful model ever to wear the automaker's shiny "H" logo in the U.S. market. And when it's time to get rid of your old ride, sell your car simply and securely on CarGurus. Open the available power rear liftgate, and youll find 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space, a little more than the CX-5s 30.8 cubes. After all, over 30 million shoppers use CarGurus to find great deals on used cars and new cars in their area. Mazda hasnt priced the CX-50 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition yet, so it is unclear if it will cost more or less than $41,550. We liken the CX-50s driving character to a modern version of a Mazda6 station wagon equipped with a Subaru Outback treatment. Remember: every CX-50 has standard AWD, so make sure you compare apples to apples when cross-shopping this crossover. (8 mi), Lancaster, CA The end result is that the CX-50 is a joy to drive slowly, fast, on dirt, or with a trailer attached. And when it's time to get rid of your old ride, sell your car simply and securely on CarGurus. 2022 CarGurus, Inc., All Rights Reserved. Both of the test vehicle's front seats offered power adjustment, including for height. Mazda lays out the controls with a focus on the driver. Despite its 20-inchall-season tires, the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus handled the terrain without trouble, in part thanks to its 8.6 inches of ground clearance. A 6-speedautomatic transmissionpowers the front wheels unless the standard active AWD system determines the rear wheels are necessary. As you might surmise, by forcing the driver to look at the screen and review suggested voice commands, Mazda is causing distraction. Youll need 93-octane gas to attain those power ratings. And when it's time to get rid of your old ride, sell your car simply and securely on CarGurus. Furthermore, aside from the shape of the steering wheel rim, the CX-50 is comfortable to drive for hours on end. The load floor is long, but it is also narrow between the wheels. The frustrations with Mazda Connect should be easy to solve. (89 mi), SF, CA (32 mi), Fontana, CA And if you only want to see cars with a single owner, recent price drops, photos, or available financing, our filters can help with that too. As this review is written, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) hasnt performed crash tests on the new CX-50. 2022 CarGurus, Inc., All Rights Reserved. This is most likely because the CX-50 has a lower roofline. (79 mi), Modesto, CA Looking at other brands positioned as premium, the Mazda is a better value than the Buick Envision and a better vehicle than both the GMC Terrain and the Jeep Compass. Additionally, the CX-50 can travel to places a car like the Mazda3 cannot. And when it's time to get rid of your old ride, sell your car simply and securely on CarGurus.