2023 Jeep Wrangler vs 2024 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler had a rugged, no-nonsense design that was reminiscent of driving a brick. The fourth-generation JL Wrangler featured a boxy aesthetic with minimal curves, available in both two-door and four-door Unlimited versions. The doors could be removed for an open-air experience, and the optional Dual-Door Group provided half doors for better visibility. The windshield folded down, and various top options allowed for open-air exploration. The Wrangler's design included wide fenders, Jeep’s iconic seven-slot grille, round headlights, and old-school exterior hood latches. The tailgate swung out, and the rear glass lifted up for easy cargo access. The limited-edition Reign purple paint added a unique flair, while the new Earl color offered a subtle aquamarine highlight.

Inside, the Wrangler continued its practical theme with easy-to-clean floor mats and seats, and a straightforward design devoid of unnecessary frills. The body-colored dash, chunky HVAC controls, and manual transfer case shifter added to its utilitarian charm. However, luxury features like ambient lighting or massaging seats were absent, making it clear that the Wrangler prioritized function over form.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 was a more rugged counterpart to the CX-5, with significant design updates. It was 1.4 inches lower, 3 inches wider, and 5.7 inches longer than the CX-5, with a 4.6-inch wheelbase stretch. The broad-shouldered proportions were emphasized by square wheel arches and fake air vents below the headlights and taillights. The CX-50 was available in eight trim levels, with 17-inch wheels on lower trims and 20-inch wheels on higher grades. The 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition featured all-terrain tires, a black hood graphic, and pronounced rocker-panel trim, with an optional Apex Package adding a roof platform and splash guards.

The CX-50's interior was pleasing, with an infotainment screen on a shelf and impressive material quality for a non-luxury brand. The earthy color palette and Terracotta leather upholstery in the Meridian Edition added to its rugged appeal. However, the CX-50 didn’t fully meet Mazda’s upscale aspirations, with standard half-leatherette seats and manually-adjustable front seats on base models reminding buyers of Mazda’s traditional market position.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler excelled in off-road performance with solid axles front and rear and optional differential lockers. It offered a variety of engine options, including a standard V6 with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Both engines could be paired with an eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. The 3.0-liter Ecodiesel V6 provided 260 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque, while the high-performance Rubicon 392 featured a 6.4-liter V8 with 470 horsepower and torque. The Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid offered 21 miles of all-electric range with its 17.3 kWh battery pack.

Our test vehicle, the Rubicon 392, delivered exhilarating performance with its 470-horsepower V8, capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The Off-Road Plus button adjusted throttle, shift points, and traction control for optimal off-road performance. However, the 392's brakes and steering were less impressive, with inadequate braking power and vague steering. Other Wrangler models had better-suited brakes and more precise steering.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, with turbocharging on higher trims. The base engine produced 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, while the turbo engine delivered 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on 93-octane fuel, or 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet on 87-octane. A six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive were standard, with Normal, Sport, and Off-road driving modes, and a Towing mode on turbo models. The CX-50's towing capacity was 2,000 pounds, increased to 3,500 pounds on turbo models.

The CX-50 shared powertrains with the CX-5 but offered a different driving experience. It was a good daily driver but lacked the sporty dynamics of the CX-5. The Meridian Edition's all-terrain tires added noise and reduced grip, and the roof platform contributed to wind noise. Overall, the CX-50 was well-mannered but didn’t inspire spirited driving.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler's front seats were comfortable, with heated seats available on the 392 or with a cold-weather package. Ventilated seats were not offered. The rear seat could fit three in four-door models, but space was tight, and the small rear doors made access difficult. Storage for small items was limited, with a flat dash, tiny glove box, and center console. The cargo area offered 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, but the Bronco had slightly more space.

The Wrangler's hard top could be removed in one piece or in two front panels, with a Sunrider option for quick access to the front row. The soft top was easy to remove, but the plastic rear window could be cumbersome in cold weather. The Sky One-Touch power soft top was the easiest option, sliding back in 17 seconds at speeds up to 60 mph. The Wrangler provided ample charging points, with USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, and a 115-volt outlet.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 had similar passenger space to the CX-5, with slightly less headroom and more legroom in both rows. It offered 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 56.3 cubic feet with them folded, slightly less than the CX-5. The CX-50 trailed competitors in cargo space, though it had more space than the Subaru Forester with the rear seats up. The available power liftgate improved cargo access, but the cargo area wasn’t ideal for dirty or bulky items, and the optional roof platform was high.

The CX-50's interior featured a sensible layout and adequate storage space, with a substantial shifter and Mazda’s rotary infotainment controller on the center console. The durable materials and practical design made it suitable for less-active lifestyles.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running Jeep’s Uconnect infotainment system, with an optional 8.4-inch screen. The system had no hard buttons, relying entirely on the touchscreen. Uconnect initially appeared complicated but was intuitive once familiar. It included off-road pages with information on power distribution, temperatures, oil pressure, pitch and roll, and GPS coordinates. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The Wrangler had a forward-facing camera for off-road trails and four auxiliary switches for aftermarket accessories, but lacked advanced tech features like a digital key or over-the-air updates for vehicle performance.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 featured a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, controlled by a rotary controller and buttons on the center console. Wireless Apple CarPlay was standard, but Android Auto required a cable. Higher trims included wireless phone charging, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The rotary controller provided physical feedback, making it easier to use without taking eyes off the road. The infotainment system felt dated with plain graphics and basic functions, but it was suitable for buyers who preferred simplicity. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration minimized the importance of the native system’s graphics.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler had limited standard safety features, including a rearview camera, electronic roll mitigation, and stability control. Blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control were standard only on the top 392 model and optional elsewhere. Lane-keeping assist was not available. The IIHS gave the Wrangler mixed ratings, with some trims receiving Poor headlight ratings. The NHTSA awarded the Wrangler four out of five stars for frontal crash tests and three out of five for rollover, with no side crash rating.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 was named a 2023 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, receiving top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention tech. However, it received a Basic score for nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian tests, and standard headlights were rated Average. The NHTSA awarded the CX-50 five stars for frontal crash tests and four stars for rollover, but side-crash and overall ratings were not available. The CX-50 included standard driver-assist tech like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, driver attention monitor, and emergency lane-keeping. Optional features included rear automatic braking, traffic-jam assist, and a 360-degree camera system.