2. Bold design; upscale interior
The Mazda CX-50 differs from the Mazda CX-5 by offering a lower roof, and a longer and wider design, as well as a more rugged design. It’s one of the more bold and attractive vehicles in the segment.
Multiple unique paint colors are offered, including the Polymetal Gray Metallic look I tested, as well as Zircon Sand Metallic, Wind Chill Pearl, and Soul Red Crystal Metallic.
My test vehicle also featured:
— Black 18-inch alloy wheels
— All-terrain tires
— Heated side mirrors
— Rain-sensing windshield wipers
— Black roof rails
— Rear roof spoiler
— Power panoramic moonroof
— Automatic LED headlights
— Power rear liftgate
The interior is also a highlight of the CX-50, with high-quality synthetic leather seats, heated front seats, and seating for five, though the rear is a bit tight for larger adults. The driver seat gets lumbar support, you get a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, and more.
Mazda has long been a brand that presents itself as luxury-leaning without having luxury-level pricing, and the 2026 CX-50 upholds that reputation well. Its interior quality compares favorably to many brands that are much more expensive.
Cargo space in the CX-50 comes in at 31.4 cubic feet behind the second row, and 56.3 cubic feet with the rear seats down. These are decent numbers, but less than most compact SUV rivals offer.
3. Pricey but worth the cost
The 2026 Mazda CX-50 starts around $30K, and top trim levels can reach close to $45K. Most buyers will opt for a version somewhere in the middle of that price range.
There are a wide range of trim offerings, including: Select, Preferred, Meridian Edition, Premium, Turbo, Turbo Meridian Edition, and Turbo Premium Plus.
In the grand screen of the SUV landscape, the CX-50 runs a bit higher than key rivals in terms of price range, especially on the higher trims. But it’s worth noting that your overall driving experience in the CX-50 and features included will be better than what you will get from those rivals, so I would argue the price difference is justified.
You also get respectable warranties, including:
— New vehicle warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles
— Powertrain warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles
— Roadside assistance: 3 years/36,000 miles
4. Multiple engine offerings
The 2026 Mazda CX-50 that I tested featured a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine, six-speed automatic transmission, and delivered 187 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque.
This is the base engine, and those who seek more power can get the turbocharged engine offering 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet, a significant upgrade. A hybrid engine is offered for those seeking greener offerings.
One unique aspect of the CX-50 is that all versions come with all-wheel drive, which make it stand out in the segment, and position it as a bit more off-road friendly than some rivals — making you more comfortable in the snow and on dirt/gravel roads.
My test vehicle featured both Sport and Off-Road drive modes, Hill Launch Assist, and a 2,000-pound towing capacity. It was also equipped with Dynamic Stability Control and Traction Control System. The turbo engine can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
The 0-to-60 times on the base engine are not spectacular, coming in around 9 seconds, but the turbo offering is closer to 6 seconds, a solid number.
I enjoyed my time behind the wheel of the CX-50, but would definitely recommend opting for the more powerful engine option if you want to maximize your drive quality and experience Mazda’s true capability.
On all versions, handling is solid and the vehicle is quite nimble on twisty roads. Sport mode offers a significant improvement over the standard drive quality as well.
5. Tech needs an update
The 2026 Mazda CX-50 retains the long-running infotainment setup centered around a 10.3-inch (non-touch) screen controlled via a center console rotating dial. By contrast, the 2026 CX-5, another vehicle in the Mazda SUV lineup, has upgraded to a larger touchscreen setup that is a major improvement over the CX-50’s dial control. My hope would be that in the future, the CX-50 also makes this upgrade for 2027 and beyond.
On the 2025 CX-50, you can only use the touchscreen if you connect your phone to the car and enable Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Without that setup, you’ll require excessive scrolling through the dial, which I would have preferred to avoid.
On the positive side, voice commands work very well on the CX-50, and allow you to avoid using the dial for controlling some aspects like audio source or navigation.
Other tech features on the CX-50 include:
— Wireless phone charger
— Mazda Connected Services
— Bluetooth connectivity
— 8-speaker or 12-speaker sound systems
— Multiple USB ports
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