Mazda has started stretching outside its accepted role, and the news is good for car shoppers.
The Japanese automaker has long been known for great driver’s cars — sedans, SUVs, and even a beloved convertible that are fun to drive at reasonable prices. They can fill the same roles as a Toyota or a Chevrolet, but they’ll often do it with a little more enthusiasm.
They’re mostly known as great road cars, though. Even the SUVs.
For 2023, Mazda has broken out of that mold a bit. The all-new 2023 Mazda CX-50 is every bit the spirited handler you’re used to from Mazda, but it has a more outdoorsy spirit. All-wheel drive (AWD), a package of rugged features like matte decals to block glare on the trail, and a roof rack capable of supporting a weekend’s camping supplies make it the first truly rugged Mazda SUV.
The compact CX-50 will be available in ten trim levels (though four haven’t reached production yet). But one outsells the rest. It’s called the 2.5 S Preferred Plus, and it’s a well-balanced model with many popular features but a lower price than the most well-equipped versions.
Let’s see what it has to offer.
2023 Mazda CX-50 2.5 S Preferred Plus: $32,690
- SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine making 187 horsepower
- i-ACTIV AWD system
- Mazda Intelligent Drive Select system, or Mi-Drive, with Sport and Off-road modes
- 6-speed automatic transmission
- 10.25-inch infotainment display
- Dual-zone automatic climate control with pollen filter
- Wireless Apple CarPlay integration
- Android Auto integration
- Radar cruise control with stop & go
- Push button start
- Tilt & telescopic steering wheel
- 12-volt power outlets
- Rear power liftgate with programmable height adjustment
- Power-sliding glass panoramic moonroof with one-touch-open and interior sunshade
- Advanced keyless entry and start system
- 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support
- 4-way manual adjustable front passenger seat
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear selector
- Half leatherette-trimmed seats
- Heated front seats with 3-level adjustment
- 8-speaker audio system
- Infotainment system voice command
- Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
- Lane-departure warning system with lane-keep assist
- Smart brake support with front drive detection
It’s an impressive list for a mid-level model.
The CX-50 strikes a great balance. Rivals like the Jeep Wrangler might be better off-road but can’t match its on-road refinement or great feature list for the price. Competitors like the Toyota RAV4 pack similar feature lists but can’t keep up on the trail.
What else is there to like about the 2023 Mazda CX-50 2.5 S Preferred Plus? Let’s explore some of our favorite features.
Trail Gear
Mazda didn’t need to build a premium compact SUV that could handle a winding road well. They already had one in the CX-5. The CX-50 borrows much of its charm but adds real trail chops.
The CX-50 2.5 S Preferred Plus boasts 8.3 inches of ground clearance — more than a Honda CR-V or Ford Escape. Its suspension is programmed for the bumps of uneven trails, too.
Its AWD system includes an off-road setting that can handle situations where only one front and one rear wheel have traction. Additionally, Mazda’s Intelligent Drive Select system has both off-road and sport settings, so you can prime the transmission for slow trail driving or faster highway trips.
And the 2.5 S Preferred Plus includes scratch-resistant wheel cladding to absorb the scrapes of brush and stones thrown up from the trail.
If you plan to do serious off-roading in your CX-50, consider upgrading to the 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition. But the CX-50 2.5 S Preferred Plus is more capable on the trail than many affordable small SUVs.
Sliding Panoramic Moonroof
The 2.5 S Preferred Plus model ships with a power-sliding glass panoramic moonroof with one-touch open. It’s large enough to give passengers in both rows of seating the spacious feeling only a moonroof can provide.
Leather Where It Counts
In recent years, automakers have begun experimenting with upholstery materials beyond simple cloth and leather.
The 2.5 S Preferred Plus seats are upholstered in a synthetic leather-like material Mazda calls leatherette. We’ve found it comfortable and easy to clean, and Mazda tells us their testing shows it will wear better over time.
But the 2.5 S Preferred Plus has genuine leather on the control surfaces. The steering wheel and gear shifter are wrapped in the real thing. If you love the premium feel of leather in your hands, this trim level lets you have it without paying extra for leather where you don’t feel it.
Still the Best Colors in the Business
You can buy a Hyundai Tucson in three shades of gray, white, or black. The automotive world has grayed over in recent years.
Mazda has resisted the trend. Oh, if you want gray, they make a Polymetal Gray Metallic that will meet your needs. But Mazda also covers the CX-50 in a red so deep it’s soul-stirring. Ingot Blue Metallic has more depth and shine than most automotive blues. Even Mazda’s white — called Wind Chill Pearl — shines with layers most automotive paints don’t achieve.
G-Vectoring Control
We’ve mostly focused on the CX-50’s off-road prowess because that’s new for a Mazda. But one of the CX-50’s best features is the part that’s typical of Mazdas.
G-Vectoring Control adjusts torque delivery based on steering inputs. It makes the CX-50 feel more agile in cornering than most SUVs in its price range. It’s flat and stable even in hard turns — what makes a Mazda a Mazda in the first place.
More Mazda CX-50
Want to learn more about the CX-50 and how it compares to the competition? Read our full Mazda CX-50 review or find Mazda CX-50 models for sale near you.
