2023 Mazda CX-50 vs 2024 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 featured a blunt nose, long hood, rakish windshield, and a cabin pulled back toward the rear wheels, showcasing the subtle seductiveness that characterized Mazda’s cars and SUVs for the past decade. It 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. The standard black grille and mirror caps, along with available 20-inch wheels, created an appealing exterior. The new CX-50 Meridian Edition added exclusive wheels, all-terrain tires, splash guards, and a roof-mounted load platform.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 was a more rugged counterpart to the CX-5, with dimensions that were 1.4 inches lower, 3 inches wider, and 5.7 inches longer, and a 4.6-inch wheelbase stretch. It had broad-shouldered proportions emphasized by square wheel arches and fake air vents below the headlights and taillights. Available in eight trim levels, the CX-50 offered 17-inch wheels on lower trims and 20-inch wheels on higher grades. The 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition featured all-terrain tires on 18-inch wheels, a black hood graphic, and more pronounced rocker-panel trim. The interior design was pleasing, with a shelf-mounted infotainment screen and impressive material quality for a non-luxury brand.

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, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD). It was expected to return 27 mpg in combined driving. The 2.5 Turbo variant featured a turbocharged version of the same engine, producing between 227 hp and 256 hp depending on the fuel type, with torque ranging from 310 lb-ft to 320 lb-ft. It had a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds and was predicted to achieve 25 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing showed 23.4 mpg. The CX-50 Turbo provided smooth acceleration and minimal turbo lag, with Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing modes ensuring natural vehicle behavior.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 also used a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, with the base version producing 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. The turbo engine offered 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on 93-octane gasoline, and 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on 87-octane fuel. A six-speed automatic transmission and AWD were standard, along with Normal, Sport, and Off-road driving modes, and a Towing mode on turbo models. The CX-50’s driving experience was more aligned with other models in its segment, rather than Mazda’s sporty “Zoom Zoom” ethos. The Meridian Edition’s all-terrain tires added noise and limited grip, and the roof platform contributed to wind noise at highway speeds.

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. Ventilated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control were effective in maintaining cabin comfort. 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. The cargo area offered 31.4 cubic feet of space with the rear seats up and 56.3 cubic feet with them folded, though it was narrow between the wheel wells.

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 in place and 56.3 cubic feet with them folded. The cargo area was not particularly friendly for dirty or bulky items, and the optional roof platform was high enough to be inconvenient for shorter people. The interior layout was sensible, with adequate storage space despite the substantial shifter and rotary infotainment controller on the center console.

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. Mazda Connect historically lacked touchscreen control, relying on center console buttons, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. However, the 2023 model allowed touchscreen control for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The available 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system provided a satisfying audio experience, and the Active Driving Display (HUD) offered useful data within the driver’s line of sight.

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.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 had not been crash-tested by the IIHS at the time of review, but it was expected to perform well like other Mazda models. It came with a comprehensive package of driving assistance systems, with additional features available on the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trim. These included Traffic Jam Assist, active blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, reverse automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The adaptive cruise control system had some issues recognizing slower vehicles cutting into the gap ahead.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 was named a 2023 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, receiving top scores in most crash tests and front-crash prevention tech. However, it scored lower in the nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian test and for standard headlights. NHTSA ratings were incomplete, but the CX-50 received five stars for frontal crash and four stars for rollover crash tests. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, a driver attention monitor, and emergency lane-keeping with road-keep assist. Optional features included rear automatic braking, traffic-jam assist, and a 360-degree camera system.