Those challenging roads represented less than 30 minutes of the five-or-so hours we had behind the CX-50's wheel, and we spent the other four-and-a-half dealing with the consequences. The CX-50 has a Towing drive mode (which replaces Sport when a trailer is connected) that once again uses the center differential to shift weight forward and improve steering response. All-wheel-drive is standard on all CX-50 models. The best cars and best deals delivered to your inbox. While quality is up, overall space is not. And in both cases, the transmission provides comfortable shifts in everyday driving but responds slowly during at-the-limit acceleration. The new engine and its associated hardware add fewer than 100 pounds to the SUV's curb weight and contribute to a mere 1-mpg drop in its EPA combined fuel economy, 25 mpg versus 26 for a comparable. Ride is firm but not rough and handling is excellent. We admire Mazda's commitment to making great-handling cars, but the all-new 2023 Mazda CX-50 shows how a good thing can be taken too far. Dec 17, 2021 cbvt85 said: I recently test drove both the turbo and non-turbo versions of the CX-30. Meridian Edition CX-50s come with Terracotta leather upholstery with black accents. So the Sportage Hybrid remains our number one hybrid SUV. Just because it's a small SUV doesn't mean it has to be boring. Lets put some real tires on the CX-50 (does Michelin make a Pilot Sport in 255/40R-20 size?) Instead, you get cool metal accents and lots of soft leather all along the dash, this whole door panel, and the steering wheel as well. So you actually lost room. On terrain uneven enough to get a wheel in the air, the CX-50 did a great job getting power to the ground. So it's kind of an awkward place to plug in, and it takes away from your storage space down here. But again, it's down a lot compared to the Sportage Hybrid and the CR-V Hybrid. Honda CR-V is functional first and foremost. While the Outbacks available 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four is rated at 260 horsepower, its torque peaks at 277 lb-ft at 2000 rpm. You can choose between the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (187 horsepower, 186 lb-ft of torque) and the turbocharged version (256 hp, 320 lb-ft on 93 octane fuel or 227 hp, 310 lb-ft on 87 octane). It adds useful gear for the trail, like 18-inch black wheels wrapped in Falken all-terrain tires for added grip on slippery surfaces. Its available as a package on the CX-50 2.5 Turbo. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. You got a nice head space and the seats are at the perfect level to just slide right in, at least for me. Our non-Turbo test vehicle rode on 20-inch wheels wrapped in 245/45 20-inch all-season tires; we're curious whether ride quality improves on trims below the 2.5 S with Premium Plus. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Compared to the old CR-V, the new CR-V has about an extra half inch of legroom. I like the wireless apple car play and that the charger is hidden in the middle console and there is a space for the cord to come out so its not bent or messy looking. It offers 256 hp and 320 lb-ft numbers that are much closer to premium crossovers like the BMW X3. I love the color exterior and interior, the amber lights in the front at night. Go ahead, try it. Remember, there's a gas only version too, which we're less enthusiastic about. And I also like these giant windows. The striking thing about the new .css-wanth8{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#668892;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#000000;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;background-image:linear-gradient(rgb(239, 237, 233) 0px, rgb(239, 237, 233) 100%);-webkit-background-position:0 100%;background-position:0 100%;background-repeat:repeat-x;-webkit-background-size:0 0;background-size:0 0;padding-top:0.05rem;padding-bottom:0.05rem;}.css-wanth8:hover{color:#000000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;-webkit-background-size:0.625rem 3.125rem;background-size:0.625rem 3.125rem;}2023 Mazda CX-50 is what it lacks. The 2023 Mazda CX-50 is available in 10 packages with two powertrain choices, Mazda said. The CX-50 S is rated to tow up to 2,000 pounds. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment comes to $596. 2023 Mazda CX-50 Pricing Showcases Brand's Push Upmarket, 2023 Mazda CX-50 First Look: Off-Road, Mazda-Style, Mazda Announces American-Made CX-50; CX-70 and CX-90 SUVs Powered By Straight-Sixes, Future Cars: The 2023 Mazda CX-7 Is the Cavalry the Brand Needs, 2023 Mazda CX-50 2.5T Premium Plus Specifications, 2.5L/256-hp/310-lb-ft turbo direct-injected DOHC 16-valve I-4. The Turbos AWD Mi-Drive gains an additional Towing mode, increasing the CX-50s towing capability to 3,500 pounds. Type in "Subaru Outback," and the first result is an ad for the Outback itself. Love the darkness of the tires. Under the hood of some models, you've got a turbocharged 1.5 liter engine. Not great. Under the hood, it's got a 1.6 liter engine mated to that hybrid system, making a total of 227 horsepower. Now let's talk cabin of the Sportage Hybrid. The interior is handsome, too, and the whole thing comes together in a way that makes the CX-50 feel a bit more charming than most modern people-movers. But it's not super deep. Perhaps using the CX-30 platform was Mazda's mistake, as the CX-5 has a much better ride-handling compromise, and perhaps a simple stretch of that longtime favorite would have worked better. Vote. And while the map is clear and easy to use, it's not very dynamic. So just know that if you need a plug in. Now the CR-V has been one of our favorite SUVs for a long time, and this one has more power, more cargo space, and more onboard tech than its predecessor. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto both come standard and they're both wireless. Sometimes, Kia just can't help themselves. So there is a little bit of extra capability. And I mean, be honest, you want to drive this thing on a rally course, don't you? And somehow, its also down on cargo space to the CX-5, offering 56.3 cubic feet of space compared to 59.6 when the second row is folded down. May 11, 2021 The Mazda CX-5 isn't the newest, highest-tech, most fuel efficient, or most practical compact SUVbut it's definitely the sportiest. That bold design philosophy does have downsides. The CX-50 S rides on 17-inch gray metallic alloy wheels and features power side mirrors with integrated turn signals, LED headlights, a rear roof spoiler, and dual exhaust. Prices for non-turbo CX-50s will start at $28,025, with the most popular models in the mid-$30,000 range and the cheapest turbo version at $37,625. All right, Kia. Mazda says the driver should always pay attention, and of course that's correctbut it makes us question the system's usefulness. Cargo space is just not the first reason that you would buy a Mazda CX-50. And considering the variations already available, it will be flexible enough to accommodate the upcoming hybrid version and, possibly, some sort of electric variant too. The Meridian Edition is the rugged outdoorsy trim and can handle some moderately challenging terrain. To get into one like this, a Turbo Premium Plus, you're looking at $43,000 and change, including destination. [MUSIC PLAYING]. Hes a friend, and also a rally driver and Lemons racer. Cabin amenities include cloth seats with manual front seat adjustment, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry with push-button start, and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel with buttons for the audio and cruise control. I'll take that trade. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment comes to $529. When you come back the apple car play wont hook back up. Performance on our figure-eight coursewhich measures acceleration, braking, handling, and the transitions in betweenis unexceptional, but we found the Mazda offers tremendous brake feel and modulation, like a sports car. It's offered in 10 trim levels: S, Select, Preferred, Preferred Plus, Premium, Premium Plus, Turbo, Turbo Meridian, Turbo Premium and Turbo Premium Plus. And it's clear that the brakes are pretty strong. Some small differences here or there, but one that I'm going to keep my eye on is the wheelbase. And this model, the Sport Touring Hybrid, is almost $40,000, including destination. This Meridian Edition emphasizes the more rugged side of the new CX-50 SUV. Like, lots, lots of space. But the Mazda CX-50 sticks to a simple style we're happy for that. And the answer to the Subaru Outback Wilderness, the overlanding range-topper, will be a CX-50 "Meridian Edition" featuring many of the same off-roady, adventure-style elements. Much of the CX-50's adventure abilities can be attributed to the off-road drive mode that cleverly combines the steering and traction control systems to keep the vehicle on its intended path with ease. And the Mazda CX-50, it does whatever the hell it wants. Thats not cheap, but it represents solid value. It's more like a sports car and can feel "darty" until you get used to it. Among these choices, the CX-50 is an excellent alternative for those seeking a fun and engaging drive. But the Hybrid, that's where it's at. Around back, the taillights look pretty similar to the old model. Much of the CX-50's adventure abilities can be attributed to the new Off-road drive mode that cleverly combines the steering and traction control systems to keep the vehicle on its intended path with ease. Unlike most competitors, Mazda doesnt offer a touch-screen infotainment system. The problem is that Mazda's just not very good at tech. Much nicer than the alternatives at this price point. A love for cars runs deep in his family. We think the typical driver will find it too stiff, in fact. These abilities are unusual for an SUV that doesn't have a Jeep badge on it. Mazda had us sample the turbo engine, which develops between 227 and 256 hp and 310 and 320 lb-ft of torque depending on whether you run 87 or 93 octane gasoline. You just pop these little caps off, which you will lose unless you're more careful than me. And while rear space and cargo room are better than the CX-5, they're hardly best-in-class features. The system includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, eight speakers, Mazda Connect services, and two USB ports. So while there is a bit of a hump and the seats don't fold completely flat, you're gaining a lot of space overall. Matte hood graphics reduce glare to help drivers focus on the shifting trail. errands. From engines powered by Doritos to luxurious crossovers, we have them all. As Mazda CX-90 Unboxed concludes, international film star, Hiroyuki Sanada, reveals how a car built around its driver can become more than a car. And I've got some headroom, but not a lot. Now that the redesigned CR-V is here, all three of these SUVs are pretty much brand new and have been released in the past year or so. And as you can see, it opens up the space quite a bit. A CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition will also debut later in the year with all-terrain tires, tougher-looking styling cues and more available outdoor-specific accessories. The infotainment system is fine no issues, some like the wide screen tv touch screen look this 10 display looks more elegant. Also standard is manual air conditioning, an electronic parking brake, Bluetooth phone connectivity, and a 7-inch LCD driver information screen. The steering, though exceptionally accurate, is also heavy. It comes with all the S trims standard equipment, but adds a few more features we think most people want in a small crossover. It is not on display at any dealer within 250 miles of me. That's right. There's just not a lot of hard, cheap looking plastic in here. What you miss by skipping the turbo is that variant's 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque; or 256 hp and 320 lb-ft with 93-octane fuel.