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The 2024 Mazda CX-50 offers a unique combination of driving prowess, interior quality, and technology that is hard to beat in this segment.
2024 Mazda CX-50 – mazdausa.com | Shop 2024 Mazda CX-50 on Carsforsale.com
What’s New for the 2024 Mazda CX-50?
The 2024 Mazda CX-50 enters the year with a few small updates that make it even more competitive in the SUV segment. The 12-speaker Bose sound system and wireless charging pad from high-end trims last year are standard on more trims now. The 10.25-inch infotainment screen is standard across the whole lineup too. In addition, Mazda re-tuned the suspension and steering to get even sharper handling from this midsize SUV.
Carsforsale.com Score
8.6/10
Powertrain
Score
9/10
Interior
Score
8.75/10
Technology
Score
8.75/10
Value
Score
7.75/10
The Breakdown
Excellent handling
Fun turbo engine
Real capability
Underwhelming fuel economy
Less interior space than rivals
Low-end warranty coverage
A very intriguing SUV
2024 CX-50 Specs
- 187 horsepower from base engine
- 186 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 8 available trims
- 31.4 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 56.3 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats folded
- Available Heads-up display
- Standard adaptive cruise control
- Basic five-year warranty
- Towing capacity of 3,500 lbs
2024 Mazda CX-50 Powertrain 9/10
Under the hood of the bottom four trim levels of the Mazda CX-50, you’ll find a naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine with 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. It’s a perfectly adequate power plant but lacks personality. What one gets in exchange though are EPA-estimated fuel economy figures of 24 mpg in the city and 30 on the highway. That’s not bad for a base-level non-hybrid SUV of this size but it’s not a leader either.
The top trim levels also get a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, but they add a turbocharger to the mix to achieve up to 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. It’s decidedly more fun to drive and offers quick response times regardless of the type of input one uses. It also only suffers from a single mpg loss in both city and highway driving so that penalty feels well worth it to us.
Pedal feedback and steering feel are incredibly sharp for a vehicle in this class. It should be too as Mazda went so far during development as to measure drivers’ calf muscles during the act of pressing the pedals to get a better idea of how to make the car react naturally and in harmony with the driver.
Regardless of engine option, the CX-50 use a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive to put power down. We think this combo is just more reason why the CX-50 feels better to drive than basically every other competitor at this price point. On top of that, the components here come together to offer up to 3,500 pounds of towing capacity when paired with the turbo engine.
2024 Mazda CX-50 Interior 8.75/10
Some car companies build cabins that they believe will look and feel somewhat timeless even years from now. The CX-50 feels like it’s cut from that cloth. The dash, steering wheel, center tunnel, and door cards feel simple but elegant.
The infotainment system is neatly nestled into the dash instead of being placed there as though it was a last-minute addition. The gauge cluster is big and bright with mostly analog gauges. A circular digital section in the middle provides configurable information and is controllable through the steering wheel. The entire cabin feels almost like a full-blown luxury car.
The seats are perhaps the only real blemish in the CX-50 and let me say that there might be a caveat to this complaint too. The top half of the seat backs don’t feel very supportive or comfortable. The potential caveat is that I’m 6’6 so most car seats aren’t built with people my height in mind.
That said, they’re finished nicely and the rear seats provide ample comfort, support, and space. At the same time, some that have come from a Honda CR-V or Kia Sportage might wonder why the CX-50 feels a bit cramped overall. That lack of occupant space is a worthwhile trade-off in our eyes for the far better driving experience and higher quality of the CX-50 interior.
Behind the second row, passengers will find 31.4 cubic feet of storage space. Fold down those seats and storage expands to 56.3 cubic feet. Both of those figures are pretty small for this class but don’t forget that this thing tows up to 3,500 pounds of extra cargo behind it which is far above average.
2024 Mazda CX-50 Technology Features 8.75/10
Every CX-50 now comes with a widescreen 10.25-inch infotainment system and Mazda’s Connect UX. It’s a very straightforward system that we can’t find much fault with. Due to the positioning of the screen, users are encouraged to use a scroll wheel and click knob in the center console to control it. In addition, there are four main buttons that allow quick navigation to different features.
We love that simplicity and the fact that it makes using the system simpler than pressing a touchscreen and hoping that you hit the right thing. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard across the entire lineup too. A 12-speaker Bose sound system is available on upper trim levels but isn’t so spectacular that we’d pay extra for it alone. An available heads-up display is worth splashing the cash if you can afford it though. It’s bright, colorful, and sincerely helpful in everyday traffic.
Finally, Mazda provides a comprehensive safety suite with every CX-50 that should be an embarrassment to some domestic rivals. It includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. It’s also an IIHS Top Safety Pick.
2024 Mazda CX-50 Trims & Pricing
Select – $31,675
The new base level of the CX-50 comes with 17-inch wheels, LED headlights, roof rails, dual-zone automatic climate control, faux-leather upholstery, a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, eight speakers, and 60/40 split-folding rear seats.
Preferred – $33,025
This trim adds a power liftgate, heated exterior mirrors, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a windshield wiper de-icer.
Premium – $35,375
The Premium adds a 12-speaker Bose sound system, a wireless device charger, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a panoramic sunroof.
Premium Plus – $38,875
The last non-turbo trim gets 20-inch wheels, power-folding mirrors, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, a heads-up display, leather upholstery, and ventilated front seats.
Turbo – $39,375
This model gets the turbo engine and then matches the Preferred trim but adds 20-inch wheels, self-leveling adaptive headlights, paddle shifters, towing mode, a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat.
Meridian – $42,625
Consider this the off-road version as it gets 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and unique exterior styling.
Turbo Premium – $42,675
This trim gets a heads-up display, a 12-speaker Bose sound system, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and power-folding mirrors.
Turbo Premium Plus – $44,675
Finally, the top trim gets heated rear seats, integrated navigation, a surround-view monitor, parking sensors, reverse automatic braking, and blind-spot intervention.
2024 Mazda CX-50 Overall Value 7.75/10
First, it’s not available as a hybrid so it’ll use more fuel than some rivals. Secondly, Mazda offers an incredibly basic warranty package including three years or 36,000 miles of limited coverage and five years or 60,000 miles of powertrain coverage. Not a single automaker in the segment offers less limited coverage. In fact, many include complimentary maintenance on top of better overall coverage.
Judging the value of the CX-50 starts with considering that it’s one of the few in the segment that can cost as much as $44,700. Considering that it’s probably the best-driving SUV of the class makes it worthwhile though. On top of that it tows a lot, features an exceptional interior, and can do some soft-roading without issue if needed. New car incentives could sweeten the deal. The downsides of the CX-50 come in two particular areas.
CarsForSale.com Overall Score 8.6/10
2024 Mazda CX-50 – mazdausa.com | Shop 2024 Mazda CX-50 on Carsforsale.com
Mazda should offer a better warranty package, and adding a hybrid would be a great addition to the lineup. The thing that matters most to me is how a vehicle drives though and the CX-50 can school every other SUV in this class including the CX-5.
Having driven the CX-50 both on and off-road I think it’s a fabulous SUV that can do just about anything one could ask when spending this kind of cash on a new SUV. Of course, one could spend a lot less on a used SUV and get nearly as much without spending so much.
2024 Mazda CX-50 FAQ
What’s the difference between the CX-5 and the CX-50?
Timing is the biggest difference. The CX-5 hasn’t seen a major update in years and the CX-50 came out in 2023 so it features an improved interior, better handling, and more versatility.
How much can the Mazda CX-50 tow?
When properly equipped the Mazda CX-50 can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
Does the Mazda CX-50 have a good camera?
Yes, both the backup camera and the available surround-view camera system provide crisp images.
