And the engine?
The CX-50 comes with exactly the same powertrain options as the CX-5, including its standard 6-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive system.
The base engine is a 2.5L inline-4 that produces 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque and officially gets 8.99 L/100 km city, 7.8L/100 km highway.
Both the CX-50 and CX-5 that we drove had the 2.5L turbo engine, which produces 227 hp with low-octane gas and 256 hp if fed 93-octane gas.
Mazda claims a combined fuel economy of 9.4L/100 km with this turbo version. For our part, we registered 10.2L/100 km with the CX-50 and 9.3L/100 km with the CX-5 over a week each, consisting of mostly suburban commuting. The difference may be due to the fact that our route was not quite the same on the two tests.
By the way, Mazda promises that in the years to come, the CX-50 will also be offered in hybrid and electric versions. Stay tuned.
The other thing that sets the two vehicles apart is the Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (MI-Drive) system in the CX-50. This selector allows you to choose between four drive modes: Normal, Sport, Off-Road and Towing. The first two are very familiar to Mazda users; the first delivers the best balance between fuel economy, driving pleasure and performance. The Sport mode will sharpen certain elements and increase responsiveness for those who like a more-dynamic drive.
Off-Road mode covers a variety of conditions. From unpaved surfaces to snow-covered roads, it will provide a controlled experience giving the driver a sense of confidence. We’re not going into detail here on this system here but know that frankly it merits a long treatise in its own right; hats off to Mazda for the work it has put in to perfectly calibrate this Off-Road mode to excel in several given situations.
Finally, there’s the towing mode, for those who want to, well, tow stuff. It is only available with the 2.5 Turbo engine.
And the price?
Our version of the CX-50 came with a total price of $44,915 (including shipping and preparation fees). To that, you have to add the Polymer Grey colour for $250. Let's underline the effort that Mazda puts into coming up with new colour options that keep their vehicles from looking ordinary, while keeping prices for those options very low. With this CX-50, for example, you can go for the gusto and choose the Blue Ingot Metallic, or the Zircon Sand Metallic with its sandy tone.
The interior of our Turbo version was black leather with tan stitching, but depending on the exterior colours you choose, you'll also get a very nice tarracotta leather with orange stitching for an extra $200. Very reasonable, as we said.
If you want to drive a CX-50, the base model starts at $39,965.
The CX-5 starts at $32,565 for the base model, with our sporty, turbocharged version coming in at $44,715.
At that price, we're definitely leaning towards the CX-50. If you're not so keen on the ruggedness of the CX-50, then the $45,715 Signature model of the CX-5, which is much more luxurious than our Sport tester, is more interesting.
The last word
Mazda did a great job in designing and executing this CX-50, but we wonder if the model isn't a bit handicapped by its name. Mazda is creating real confusion by calling it that. It's a model in its own right, and deserves a name of its own.
On the other hand, seeing the CX-60 PHEV currently being driven in Europe, we can't wait to see the next Mazda models arrive in Canada, especially the electrified ones.
Specifications sheet of 2023 Mazda CX-5 2022