2023 Mazda CX-5 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 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 standard black grille, mirror caps, and available 20-inch wheels, these 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.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5, despite its age, remained an excellent choice in the compact crossover SUV segment. It was stylish and assembled with high-quality materials, looking and feeling more like a small luxury SUV than a mass-market machine. The available turbocharged engine supplied impressive power, and the CX-5 boasted a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Mazda redesigned and renamed the CX-5 as the CX-50, but the CX-5 continued to exude quality, refinement, and sophistication. The CX-5’s interior featured premium Nappa leather upholstery and a range of comfort features, making it feel luxurious.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered two engine options. The 2.5 S model had a 187-horsepower 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 base-engine version would return 27 mpg in combined driving. The CX-50 2.5 Turbo featured a turbocharged version of the standard engine, making between 227 hp and 256 hp depending on the fuel type, with torque varying between 310 lb-ft and 320 lb-ft. 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 minimal turbo lag. The SUV’s driving modes and G-Vectoring Control technology ensured natural vehicle behavior in various conditions. The CX-50 felt firmer in ride quality compared to the CX-5, and it handled off-roading situations well, though it lacked a downhill assist control system.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 2.5 S base model had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, delivered to the standard all-wheel-drive (AWD) system through a six-speed automatic transmission. The official EPA fuel economy rating was 26 mpg in combined driving. The CX-5 2.5 Turbo’s 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine supplied 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular gas. This engine paired with the same six-speed automatic and AWD system, returning 24 mpg in combined driving. The turbocharged engine’s torque arrived at 2,000 rpm with regular gas and 2,500 rpm with premium fuel, providing quick acceleration. The CX-5’s structural and suspension modifications made it feel tighter and more solid, reducing impact harshness and body roll. The CX-5 delivered a firm, connected, and communicative ride quality, with responsive steering and brakes.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50’s interior featured power-adjustable heated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, heated side mirrors, and heated windshield wipers. The 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. Storage space was adequate, with a long load floor and side bins in the cargo area. The CX-50 offered 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 56.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5’s front seats were modified for improved comfort and support. Every version had a height-adjustable driver’s seat, and all but the base 2.5 S included a height-adjustable front passenger’s seat. Higher trims offered power adjustment for both front seats, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The Signature trim featured Nappa leather upholstery. However, the CX-5’s technology, storage space, rear-seat room, and cargo space were limited. The CX-5 provided 30.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 59.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 came with a Mazda Connect infotainment system featuring 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, 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 CX-50 also offered an Active Driving Display (head-up display) with blind-spot warnings.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5’s Mazda Connect infotainment system had a 10.25-inch display with sophisticated graphics and a logical menu structure. However, the system’s physical controls on the center console were awkward to use, requiring memorization and conscious thought. The control knob often required a series of twists and pushes to execute commands, making it distracting. Mazda Connect offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year trial subscription to Mazda Connected Services. Upper trims included a 10-speaker Bose premium audio system. The CX-5 also had a front-facing camera, a surround-view camera system, and parking sensors.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 was expected to rate high for safety, though the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not performed crash tests at the time of the review. Mazda provided 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 generally worked well, though the adaptive cruise control occasionally failed to recognize slower vehicles cutting into the gap ahead.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 offered most of its driver assistance technology as standard equipment, with additional features exclusive to the 2.5 Turbo Signature. These included a surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, a rear low-speed automatic emergency braking system, and Traffic Jam Assist. The i-Activsense tech operated smoothly and accurately, with an Active Driving Display showing operational status and alerts. The CX-5 also had an E911 system for automatic collision notification. The CX-5 performed exceptionally well in crash tests, earning five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.