2023 Ford Bronco vs 2023 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 featured a blunt nose, long hood, and a rakish windshield, with a cabin pulled back toward the rear wheels. This styling exhibited the subtle seductiveness that had characterized Mazda’s cars and SUVs for the past decade. However, 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 CX-50’s standard black grille and mirror caps and the available 20-inch wheels, these exterior design elements came together appealingly. Later in the model year, a new CX-50 Meridian Edition joined the lineup with exclusive wheels, all-terrain tires, splash guards, and a roof-mounted load platform. The interior displayed Mazda’s traditional mix of driver-focused design, quality materials, and polished metallic trim, though the lone off-center vent in the middle of the dash looked conspicuous.

The 2023 Ford Bronco was offered in nine distinct trim levels, all sharing a blend of retro-cool styling and modern engineering. The blocky upright shape, wide horizontal grille, and big round headlights were unmistakable. The Base trim had a primitive look with steel wheels, while the Raptor displayed a wide stance, elevated height, and huge fender flares. The new Heritage trim pulled at nostalgic heartstrings with a throwback white grille, roof, and wheels, along with unique plaid seat upholstery.

The Bronco’s styling was not just aesthetic; it had legitimate functions. Cleats above the headlights could secure cargo, and raised "fins" gave the driver a good indication of the vehicle's corners. The interior continued the rugged theme with a broad dash, sealed switches, and buttons for easy cleaning. Sturdy handholds ensured passenger security, and a grid-like mesh on the seat backs allowed for attaching Molle-type bags. The interior materials were designed for durability rather than luxury, with a reassuring heft to them.

Most Mazda CX-50 buyers likely chose the more affordable and fuel-efficient 2.5 S model, which had a 187 hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 186 lb-ft of torque. This power was delivered to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission, with an estimated 27 mpg in combined driving. For stronger acceleration and increased towing capacity, the CX-50 2.5 Turbo was the better choice, offering between 227 hp and 256 hp depending on the fuel used, and torque ranging from 310 lb-ft to 320 lb-ft. The turbo engine provided smooth acceleration across a broad power curve, with minimal turbo lag.

The CX-50 featured Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing modes, working with G-Vectoring Control technology to ensure natural vehicle behavior. The ride quality was firmer compared to the CX-5, and there was a hint of torque steer during tight turns. The CX-50 felt more like a modern Mazda6 station wagon with a Subaru Outback treatment, offering up to 8.6 inches of ground clearance. It was capable of tackling off-road situations, though it lacked a downhill assist control system. The CX-50 2.5 Turbo could tow up to 3,500 pounds, though it might struggle on mountain grades.

The Ford Bronco was available with three engines: a 2.3-liter four-cylinder producing 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque, a twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 with 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 in the Raptor with 418 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque. All Broncos came with four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case. The base four-cylinder engine was adequate for both on- and off-road adventures, while the 2.7-liter V6 was better for the heavier four-door model. The Raptor's engine provided excessive but enjoyable power.

The Bronco's ride quality was bouncier than a typical family SUV but more stable than a Jeep Wrangler. It tracked straight on the highway and was quieter than a Wrangler. The high-riding dimensions and big all-terrain tires required more care on curving roads, but the Bronco felt more confident than expected. Maneuvering the four-door model was less stressful, thanks to several cameras. The Land Rover Defender was the only off-road-capable SUV more comfortable than the Bronco.

The Mazda CX-50 2.5 Turbo came with 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 effectively chilled the cabin. The driver’s seat and front passenger’s seat were comfortable for long drives, though they could use more side bolstering. The back seat was roomy enough for adults, with rear air vents and charging ports. Rear doors opened to nearly a 90-degree angle, making entry and exit easier.

Storage space in the CX-50 was adequate, though Mazda 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. Maximum cargo space was 56.3 cubic feet, slightly less than the CX-5 due to the CX-50’s lower roofline.

The Ford Bronco's boxy shape provided ample interior space. The four-door model was better for shuttling multiple passengers, as accessing the rear seats in the two-door required crawling and shimmying. Up front, there were plenty of storage options, including netted door pockets and a rubberized tray for phones. Accessory rails atop the dash could hold action cameras or GPS trackers, with a USB jack for charging.

The two-door Bronco had up to 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 52.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The four-door model offered 35.6 cubic feet and 77.6 cubic feet, respectively. However, the rear seats didn’t fold flat, creating a step-up that hindered sliding longer cargo and sleeping. The fenders and doors could be easily removed for hardcore off-roading, though the Raptor's oversized fenders were not intended for removal.

Every Mazda CX-50 had a 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 10.25-inch display. Historically, Mazda Connect did not offer touchscreen control, requiring the use of center console buttons, steering wheel controls, or voice recognition. However, the 2023 CX-50 allowed touchscreen control for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The available 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system provided a satisfying audio experience. The Active Driving Display, or head-up display (HUD), projected data within the driver’s line of sight, including blind-spot warnings.

The Ford Bronco used technology to enhance its off-road abilities. The G.O.A.T. drive modes optimized engine and suspension settings for various terrains, making it easier for novices to conquer challenging conditions. Seasoned off-roaders could manually select features through buttons. Numerous camera views helped navigate tight confines, and the Trail Turn Assist feature allowed sharp turns by braking the inside rear wheel.

The Bronco also offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Ford’s SYNC 4. A wireless charging pad was available. Most Broncos came with an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, but a 12-inch display was recommended for ease of use.

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

The NHTSA gave the four-door Bronco four out of five stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection. The IIHS awarded it the best score of “Good” in most crashworthiness tests, except for head restraints and seats, which received an "Acceptable" rating. All Bronco models came with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, hill-start assist, hill-descent control, trailer-sway assist, and Trail Turn Assist. The Mid package added enhanced driver assistance features, while the High and Luxe packages added front parking sensors, a 360-degree camera system, adaptive cruise control, and evasive steering assist.