2022 Ford Bronco vs 2023 Mazda CX-50

The 2022 Ford Bronco, with its attractive retro styling and go-anywhere attitude, was one of the most sought-after vehicles. It returned with two new range-topping models: the Everglades and the Bronco Raptor. The Everglades model, built for swamp trekking and deep water, came with an intake snorkel, a Warn winch, and 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain tires. The Bronco offered seven distinct trims, with off-road capabilities increasing with the price. Unfortunately, the 2022 models were already sold out. Buyers could choose between a two-door or four-door body style, a four-cylinder or six-cylinder engine, and a removable roof with either a soft- or hard-top. The Bronco's design was unapologetically utilitarian, featuring large recovery hooks, removable fender flares, a full-size spare mounted to the tailgate, and modular construction for easy customization.

Inside, the Bronco continued its utilitarian theme with features like sealed switches and buttons, marine-grade vinyl upholstery, and drain plugs in the floor for easy cleaning. The G.O.A.T. mode dial allowed drivers to select distinct drive modes for specific terrains. Despite its rugged look, the Bronco was equipped with modern technology, including a digital instrument panel, a large infotainment touchscreen, and a full complement of cameras for off-roading and parking. The 2022 Ford Bronco combined brawn and brains to tackle challenging terrain and win over a broad cross-section of buyers.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 featured a blunt nose, long hood, rakish windshield, and a cabin pulled back toward the rear wheels, exhibiting the subtle seductiveness characteristic of Mazda's cars and SUVs. The CX-50 conveyed newfound ruggedness with blistered and boxed fender swells, lower body and wheel arch cladding, and fake front and rear skid plates. Oversized air intake and vent designs imparted performance without offending the eye. When paired with the standard black grille, mirror caps, and available 20-inch wheels, these design elements came together appealingly. Later in the model year, the CX-50 Meridian Edition joined the lineup with exclusive wheels, all-terrain tires, splash guards, and a roof-mounted load platform for a rooftop tent.

There were two versions of the 2023 Mazda CX-50. The 2.5 S model had a 187-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, while the 2.5 Turbo variants featured a stronger 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine generating up to 256 hp and 320 pound-feet of torque. The CX-50 2.5 S came with six trim packages, while the 2.5 Turbo offered four, including the Meridian Edition. Prices started at $26,800 and rose to $41,550, not including the $1,225 destination charge. The top-of-the-line CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus, dipped in optional Zircon Sand Metallic paint, had an MSRP of $43,170. The interior displayed Mazda's traditional mix of driver-focused design, quality materials, and polished metallic trim, with vertical air vents surrounding the instrument cluster and anchoring each end of the dashboard.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's base engine was a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. An optional turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine delivered 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. A seven-speed manual transmission was available for the four-cylinder engine, while a 10-speed automatic was mandatory for the V6 and optional for the four-cylinder. The manual transmission featured a seventh crawl gear for low-speed driving with high torque for climbing. All Broncos came with four-wheel drive and an electronic two-speed transfer case. Both powertrains delivered ample power in almost any setting, with varying degrees of off-road prowess throughout the lineup.

The Everglades model, tested on difficult terrain on Drummond Island, Michigan, showcased its capabilities with deep-rutted muddy trails, deep water crossings, and steep rock climbs. It could ford water as deep as 36.4 inches and demonstrated impressive winching abilities. On pavement, the Bronco behaved well, with precise steering and a smoother ride quality compared to its direct rival, the Jeep Wrangler. The Bronco tracked straight down the highway and offered a comfortable ride, making it a better road trip companion. Wind noise on the highway was minimal, and the absence of tire howl on pavement contributed to the Bronco's overall excellence.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered two engine options. The 2.5 S model had a 187 hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 186 lb-ft of torque, delivered to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. Mazda estimated this version would return 27 mpg in combined driving. The CX-50 2.5 Turbo featured a turbocharged version of the standard engine, producing between 227 hp and 256 hp depending on the fuel used. Torque varied between 310 lb-ft on 87-octane gas and 320 lb-ft on 93-octane fuel. Mazda predicted the CX-50 2.5 Turbo would get 25 mpg in combined driving, but real-world testing averaged 23.4 mpg.

The CX-50 Turbo provided smooth acceleration across a broad power curve, with no noticeable turbo lag. Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing modes worked with the SUV's G-Vectoring Control (GVC) technology to ensure natural vehicle behavior. The CX-50 felt firmer in terms of ride quality compared to the CX-5, and there was a hint of torque steer while accelerating out of tighter turns. The CX-50's driving character resembled a modern Mazda6 station wagon with a Subaru Outback treatment. With up to 8.6 inches of ground clearance, the CX-50 was capable of tackling off-roading situations, though it lacked a downhill assist control system. The CX-50 2.5 Turbo's towing capacity was 3,500 pounds, and it handled a loaded trailer well on flat highways.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's squared-off styling contributed to its abundance of interior space. Headroom was ample, even for tall passengers, and there was plenty of legroom and lateral space. Accessing the rear seats in the two-door Bronco required an awkward squeeze, but the four-door model offered easier entry. Cargo capacity varied depending on the model and roof type. The two-door hard top accommodated up to 22.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 52.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The four-door hard top increased capacity to 35.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The soft-top models offered slightly more cargo space. Clever storage solutions included large armrest bins, netted door pockets, and rubberized phone trays. The Bronco also featured stowable doors and removable fender flares for added utility.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered a comfortable and well-equipped interior. The 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. Ventilated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control were also available. The driver and front passenger seats were comfortable for long drives, though they could use more side bolstering. The back seat was roomy enough for adults, and most trims included rear air vents and charging ports. The rear doors opened to nearly a 90-degree angle, making entry and exit easier.

Storage space in the CX-50 was adequate, though there were missed opportunities for additional bins. The available smartphone charger had its own slot under the center armrest. The power rear liftgate revealed 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space, with a long load floor but narrow space between the wheel wells. Side bins and hooks helped secure items, and maximum cargo space measured 56.3 cubic feet.

The 2022 Ford Bronco smartly used technology to enhance its off-road capabilities. The G.O.A.T. modes added off-road confidence for novice drivers by selecting optimized settings for specific terrains. The forward-looking trail camera overlaid lines indicating where the tires would travel, providing confidence in navigating obstacles. The Trail Turn Assist feature allowed the Bronco to make sharper turns in tight spaces. The Sync 4 infotainment system offered quick responses, sharp graphics, and helpful off-road apps. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and a wireless charging pad was available.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Mazda Connected Services. The base 2.5 S had an 8.8-inch display, while other trims included a larger 10.25-inch display. Historically, Mazda Connect did not offer touchscreen control, but the CX-50 allowed touchscreen control for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The available 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system delivered a satisfying audio experience. The Active Driving Display (HUD) projected data within the driver's line of sight, including blind-spot warnings.

The 2022 Ford Bronco included standard safety features like hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Optional features included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assist, rear parking sensors, and automatic high beams. The High package added front parking sensors and a surround-view camera system, while the Luxe package included adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist. The Bronco received four-out-of-five stars for frontal crash protection and three-out-of-five stars for rollover protection from the NHTSA. The IIHS awarded the Bronco its best score of "Good" in frontal, side, and roof strength tests.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 was expected to excel in safety, like other Mazda models. It offered a generous standard package of driving assistance systems, with additional features available on the CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus. Exclusive features included Traffic Jam Assist, active blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors with reverse automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The driving assistance systems generally worked well, though the adaptive cruise control occasionally failed to recognize slower vehicles cutting in.