LOOKS

Mazda has designed a bold, rugged look on the 2024 CX-50, especially in the front end. It also features a large rack up top for adventurers to hold a canoe or other bulky outdoor adventure items with ease.

The Meridian edition I tested also featured a unique graphics package on the hood that made it stand out. The paint job on my test vehicle was an attractive Zircon Sand Metallic color.

Expanded ground clearance height is noticeable and helps with your adventuring ability. Other exterior features include 18-inch black alloy wheels and all-terrain tires. One thing that’s obvious from first glance is that the 2024 CX-50 won’t blend in with the sea of generic crossovers on the market.

Other features included rain-sensing windshield wipers, heated side mirrors, dual exhaust pipes, a panoramic moonroof and adaptive LED headlights, plus front and rear splash guards.

Moving inside the CX-50, you see why Mazda has earned a reputation as one of the most luxurious of the non-luxury car brands. The quality of the seating and other interior materials can rival vehicles that cost twice as much as the CX-50, and that’s not an exaggeration. I would argue that Mazda’s SUVs are the classiest interiors you’ll find without breaking the bank.

The seating for 5 passengers in the CX-50 was intricately stitched, and the black and brown two-tone interior impressed both visually and when you are seated in terms of comfort. Nothing in the CX-50 looks or feels cheap.

The rear seat is tight and best for short adults or kids, but that's to be expected in this class.

But one downside of the CX-50 is that the interior cargo space is going to be pretty light compared to some rival compact crossovers, so if maximizing cargo space is critical for you, that might cause you to think twice and consider its rivals. The numbers come in at 56.3 cubic feet with rear seats down, and 31.4 cubic feet with rear seat up (while rivals can boast numbers closer to 75 cubic feet with seats down, and 40 cubic feet with seats up).

The CX-50 also features a leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear air conditioning vents, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink.

HOW’S THE RIDE?

Two engines are offered in the 2024 Mazda CX-50. The base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder motor offering 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The upgraded engine, which was on my test vehicle, is a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder option delivering 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet (with regular gas) or 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet with 93 octane premium fuel.

All CX-50 vehicles are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Paddle shifters are also included on turbo models. 

Importantly, Mazda differentiates the CX-50 by making all models come standard with all-wheel drive, something most of its rivals can not claim.

Towing capacity with the turbo engine option is also impressive at 3,500 pounds.

The week I tested the CX-50 Meridian brought challenging weather conditions including snow, ice and freezing cold. The CX-50 performed admirably considering the circumstances, better than I anticipated from a smaller SUV. I never worried about it being able to handle the conditions safely.

I clocked the time to go from 0-to-60 miles per hour in the mid 6-second range. This isn’t sports car territory but it’s still peppy for a small SUV.

Overall, Mazda typically offers a truly enjoyable and strong driving experience vs. its rivals, and the 2024 CX-50 met those standards. It’s fun to drive, handles well, and remains capable of doing some basic off-road excursions.

Other systems that improve the drive quality are G-Vectoring Control Plus, Dynamic Stability Control and Traction Control.

Regarding the Meridian edition and its off-road credentials, this is highlighted by an off-road driving mode to maximize traction, an impressive 8.6 inches of ground clearance, and all-terrain tires.

Don’t go crazy with the off-roading, as it’s not a full-on off-road vehicle up to face major tests, but you can definitely go a bit further down the less-trodden roadways and also trust the CX-50 more in inclement weather. The CX-50 is on par or better than the off-road capabilities you’ll get from Subaru models, which is high praise.

TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 features a 10.3-inch screen on most trims, and the base gets an 8.8-inch screen.

What’s odd is that you can't use the touchscreen unless you are porting your phone to the vehicle wirelessly via Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. Instead, you must navigate menus via a master center control dial, or by voice commands. Voice controls are effective and the vehicle understood my commands well. And the dial controls are mostly easy to master with repeated use.

The CX-50 offers wireless phone charging, Speaker system starts with eight speakers, but some trims come with a stout 12-speaker Bose stereo system. There are multiple USB ports in the vehicle, Bluetooth connectivity to stream calls and music.

Mazda Connected Services is another feature that allows convenient access to vehicle functions (locking/unlocking, checking fuel level, finding parked vehicle in a lot, alerts when service is needed, etc.) remotely via a phone app.

Moving onto safety features, the Mazda CX-50 is fully loaded and competes well with rivals in terms of available driver aids. It also earned top safety ratings from the iIHS.

Among the features that were most effective in keeping passengers safe in the CX-50 are:
— Forward collision warning with automated emergency braking
— Rearview camera, with optional 360-degree view (helpful in parking situations)
— Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop and Go (maintains distance to vehicle ahead, and will slow down and stop the vehicle as needed)
— Lane Departure Warning System and Lane Keep Assist (Steers you back into your proper lane)
— Blind Spot Monitoring (protects you when you can’t see vehicle in the next lane)
— Rear Cross Traffic Alert
— Full array of airbags
— Driver Attention Alert (warns driver if they appear drowsy or inattentive)
— Child safety seat anchors
— Tire pressure monitoring system
— Automatic high-beam headlights


MPG

The official fuel mileage numbers on the CX-50 with the turbo engine are 23 city/29 highway/25 combined. The base engine on the CX-50 improves to an official number of 24 city/30 highway/27 combined mpg,

I averaged 19.3 mpg in my driving experience with the turbo power plant. My driving took place during the winter months, which can affect mileage. But still, the numbers were a bit disappointing compared to its compact SUV rivals. 

PRICE

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 Meridian Edition I tested was priced at $43,860; and its base price starts around $31K. The top trim level starts just under $45K.

This is a bit higher price range than some rivals, but the CX-50 also offers better looks, design and performance than most rivals, including standard all-wheel drive.

There are a ton of trim levels to choose from, including: Select, Preferred, Premium, Premium Plus, Turbo, Meridian, Turbo Premium and Turbo Premium Plus.

Adventurous types seeking a more rugged option can go for the Meridian trim, but those who will stay in city limits can choose other options, though I would say the Turbo level is a smart option to choose due to the upgraded engine it brings.

The higher up you go, the more luxurious the CX-50 will look and feel.

Warranties are decent, but not class-leading, including:
— 60-month/60,000-mile powertrain warranty
— 36-month/36,000-mile new vehicle warranty
— 24-hour roadside assistance


BOTTOM LINE

Only two years into its existence, the 2024 Mazda CX-50 is already a contender for best in class among compact crossovers — with an upscale interior, strong design and excellent performance on the roadways.

And the Meridian Edition of the CX-50 is one of the best options in class for people who like to get off the beaten path and explore more difficult terrains, within reason.

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