2022 Mazda CX-50 muddies the waters

2022 Mazda CX-50 muddies the waters

Mazda’s created a mess of itself and seems to be floundering.

It’s wholly good to be befuddled by the lack of focus from what was at the time the “zoom-zoom” brand name. The most current crossover SUV addition does minimal to apparent any confusion.

With a TCC Ranking of 6.4 out of 10 the 2023 Mazda CX-50 appeals with great steering, a long wheelbase, and a squished wagon look, but its infotainment technique is unpleasant to use, its powertrains really feel dated, and it looks overpriced compared to its CX-5 sibling in the exact showroom.

Soon after shelling out a week with the 2023 Mazda CX-50 not extended just after paying out time with the CX-5, here’s exactly where the newer model hits and misses.

2023 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Premium

2023 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Top quality

Hit: That Mazda steering magic

The identify may possibly be perplexing to people who come across by themselves in a showroom but from at the rear of the wheel it is clear the CX-50 has that Mazda magic. Irrespective of remaining a crossover SUV it’s enjoyable to be the driver, many thanks to the CX-50’s charming steering and fairly swift ratio. There is stable interaction translated by way of the steering wheel as to what’s likely on at the pavement. The steering’s nicely weighted and this will help the CX-50 keep track of true and straight down a freeway without wandering or needing small corrections as in some Hyundai and Kia rivals with their overboosted steering methods.

2023 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Premium

2023 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Top quality

2023 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Premium

2023 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Top quality

2023 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Premium

2023 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Top quality

Overlook: Annoying infotainment program

A new car for Mazda showrooms, the CX-50 carries about a familiarly disheartening-to-use infotainment system. Even though an 8.8-inch touchscreen arrives regular, my turbo design featured the upgraded 10.3-inch touchscreen show. With Apple CarPlay (and for Android Car) the touchscreen inputs operate, but utilizing any of the CX-50’s indigenous operation needs employing a rotary knob and sizzling buttons on the center console. At greatest it is tiresome, but most of the time it is downright frustrating and irritating. This system is a pillar in the argument for automaker’s permitting Apple CarPlay choose about interfaces to people who know them finest. Other automakers—almost all of them—simply do this better.

2023 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Premium

2023 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Top quality

2023 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Premium

2023 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Premium

Hit: Longer and wider is much better

The CX-50’s wheelbase is 4.6 inches more time and 3. inches wider than the CX-5’s. That extra duration and width translates to the CX-50 delivering a far more composed and steady journey than the previously remarkable CX-5. Even additional spectacular is how the CX-50 handles tough roadways with aplomb inspite of my tester’s 20-inch wheels and absence of adaptive dampers or air suspension. Mazda’s as soon as all over again proven that a well-tuned passive suspension method is all that is actually essential, even on winding streets and freeway clover leafs.

2023 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Premium

2023 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Premium

Miss out on: Drained powertrains

The CX-50 title is new but its powertrains are aged. Base versions have a 187-hp 2.5-liter inline-4 underneath their hood. My tester highlighted the larger 2.5-liter turbo-4 with 227 hp, which is rated at 256 hp with 93-octane gasoline. Equally mate to an old 6-velocity automatic transmission that snaps off swift, clean up shifts. If this all sounds common it’s due to the fact they are the exact same powertrains as what are uncovered in the CX-5. There is no electrification to be observed, no 8- or 10-velocity computerized transmission. Regardless of whether Sport method is flicked, the turbo takes a defeat to spool up. At the time the motor hits 2,000 rpm the engine’s just about on boil and the tempo picks up. Response could be improved.

2023 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Premium

2023 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Top quality

Strike: Lifted wagon

Mazda can call the CX-50 a crossover SUV all it needs. The 8.6 inches of floor clearance on turbo versions (even though only 8.3-inches on non-turbo versions) add credence to the claim. But from most angles the CX-50 appears to be like a large, squared-off, squished wagon, among the a great number of crossover SUV blobs. The major fender aptitude cladding provides to the beefed-up stance, when the minimal, horizontal LED parking lights insert an more a little something at dusk. I’m not a enthusiast of pretend air vents in approximately any capacity, but the two on the rear bumper do a superior career including visible width to the bottom-significant CX-50.

2023 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Premium

2023 Mazda CX-50 Turbo High quality

Pass up: Not a benefit

On the floor, the $28,825 (it was originally $28,205 when it released, but gained a mid-12 months price enhance) base value appears fair against the base CX-5, which charges $27,125. But items rapidly tumble apart in the value section when selections and typical devices are factored in. My loaded $43,575 CX-50 Turbo Premium Additionally tester enters luxury crossover SUV pricing territory, and produced my $38,670 CX-5 Turbo tester come to feel like a downright worth with the exact same characteristics.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 gives a much more comfortable journey and additional exclusive structure than its showroom sibling, and several competitors, but its benefit proposition is questionable at most effective and it only clouds Mazda’s murky waters. We need some clarity, Mazda.

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2023 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Top quality Moreover

Foundation price: $28,825 which includes $1,275 vacation spot
Selling price as examined: $43,575
Powertrain: 227-hp 2.5-liter turbo-4, 6-velocity computerized transmission, all-wheel generate
EPA gas overall economy: 23/29/25 mpg
The hits: Genuine steering really feel, for a longer time wheelbase and snug journey, squished wagon glance
The misses: Frustrating infotainment procedure, old powertrains and no electrification, weak value argument

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