Flash Drive

2023 Mazda CX-50 2.5 Turbo AWD

August 12, 2022 - Behind The Wheel - Comments: 

Model Tested: 2023 Mazda CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus AWD

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 is an all-new compact SUV with a more adventurous personality than previous Mazdas.

Engine: 2.5-liter I-4, 227 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft torque

Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive

EPA Rating: 23-mpg city, 29-mpg highway, 25-mpg combined

Base Price: $41,550

As Tested: $43,170

Performance:

Powerful turbo engine provides strong acceleration

Reasonable fuel economy—we dropped

The Mazda CX-50 is still an excellent highway ride with excellent comfort, safety, and economy.

below the EPA estimate with 22.4 highway

Excellent standard safety features

Very pleasant highway ride

Seamless all-wheel drive

Hill Launch Assist

3,500 pound towing capacity

Comfort:

Premium Plus has heated front and rear seats

Excellent interior materials and

Front seat room and comfort are great especially in the higher trim levels.

luxurious feel

Very good driver power lumbar support

Super stretch-out front passenger leg room

Medium thick, slightly contoured steering wheel

Heated steering wheel

Adults can fit in middle position

Very firm middle cushion

Soft rear armrest

Utility:

Decent size cargo area

Backseat room is good for three passengers although the middle position is quite firm.

Power liftgate with great clearance

Flat cargo deck, no lift-over

Split rear seats fold almost flat

Deep, medium capacity console bin

Soft armrest on top of console bin

WOW Factors:

Fun to drive

Great panoramic sliding moonroof

Comfortable upscale interior

Athletic off-road performance

Peppy turbocharged engine

Cargo space is good with a flat floor and a high opening lift gate.

Excellent safety features

Great head up display

Whines:

Tiny auxiliary controls

No glovebox lock

Rear seat middle position very firm

Bottom Line:

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 2.5 Turbo AWD with Premium Plus Package optimizes all the features that have made the Mazda CX-5 such a popular and

The optional moon roof is a great way to brighten the interior.

successful compact crossover SUV and optimizes them with a greater emphasis on off-road adventures. The look and function are more rugged than previous models but the comfortable everyday city driving features are still intact. The all-new CX-50 is on a larger platform than the CX-5 but it draws its heritage from the CX-5. The 2023 Mazda CX-50 is available with either a turbocharged I-4 or a non-turbocharged engine and ten trim levels ranging from Base to Turbo Premium Plus.