The 2023 Mazda CX-50 sets out to be a more rugged CX-5, but ends up being better on the road as well.
Mazda’s lineup of SUVs offered on-road manners that are the envy of many an automaker, but the company was missing something with more capability to capture a burgeoning market of utility shoppers looking to get away from it all.
I believe him, but after heading to Santa Barbara, California, to put the newcomer through its paces, it seems inevitable that the CX-50 will take a bite out of the CX-5’s market. It adds more ground clearance without any compromise to on-road dynamics, making it my preferred performer between the two on any surface.The CX-50 is a curious sight to behold in person. It looks attractive from some angles but awkward at others.
My test vehicle, a 2.5T Premium Plus, came with the more powerful of the CX-50’s two engines. Mazda’s insistence on sticking with its 6-speed transmission is starting to wear thin as transmissions with 7- or 8-speeds have become more refined. The CX-50 also feels slower off the line than its CX-30 counterpart . While maximum torque comes on early at 2,000 rpm, there’s still noticeable lag even in the more aggressive Sport mode.
With the more powerful engine, towing capacity increases from 2,000 to 3,500 pounds. When I towed a box trailer loaded with cement to reach the CX-50’s maximum capacity in Towing mode, the CX-50 stayed about a gear lower in most scenarios to provide more power. This mode also shifts power away from the rear for greater stability and switches up the steering in a similar way to the Off-road mode, both of which make it easier to center the CX-50 and trailer in its lane.
Mazda declined to say if this would be a change that comes to the rest of the lineup, but it’s a fair assumption that it will. Hopefully, it’s combined with moving the screen closer so it’s not only reachable by Inspector Gadget.Despite the differences in exterior dimensions, most of the CX-50’ passenger room dimensions are within an inch of those of the CX-5. The back seat is large enough to fit a pair of adults for roadtrips.
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