2025 Mazda CX-50: 4 Reasons to Love It, 2 Reasons to Think Twice
The Mazda CX-50 made its debut in 2021 as a bigger version of the CX-5 but a smaller one than the CX-70. Based on the same transverse FWD platform as the fourth-generation Mazda3 and CX-30, the CX-50 is a middle-of-the-road SUV that competes directly against big sellers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Mazda's SUV comes in seven trims with two powertrains, standard all-wheel drive (AWD), and looks to kill. Even in its $30,500 base 2.5 S Select trim, it looks fantastic.
The trim I spent time with was the $41,000 Turbo Meridian Edition, which gives the driver a distinctive off-road-ish swagger. I sampled this same model in the Rocky Mountains and Southern California, so I'm pretty familiar with how it behaves in various scenarios.
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The base engine in the CX-50 is a 2.5-liter non-turbo that makes 187 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission. According to the EPA, this powertrain can get up to 24 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. When properly equipped, towing is limited to 2,000 lbs. I've tested many Mazdas with a similar powertrain, and they are more than adequate but lack the zest of a turbo.
If you opt for the 2.5-liter turbo, you get a four-cylinder that makes 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque through the same six-speed automatic transmission, or slightly less on lower octane fuel. Despite the boost in power, you only lose one mpg in the city and on the highway. When properly set up, this configuration can tow up to 3,500-lbs. Once again, both powertrains come standard with AWD, which is another notable reason to love the CX-50.
All CX-50s come with Mazda's i-Activ AWD system, and many models, like the Meridian Edition, come with Mi-Drive. This system adds four different terrain settings that work in conjunction with the i-Activ, including Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing. Flipping a selector near the gear level allows you to engage each mode, which completely changes the CX-50's driving behavior.
Thanks to the G-Vectoring Control Plus system, the Mazda CX-50 sends torque where it's needed at all times. Even in the rough, where some competitors struggle to gain traction, the Mazda CX-50 is excellent.
There are four interior choices for the higher trim CX-50s, but even the entry-level models have a nice appearance. Mazda ditched the previous 8.8-inch infotainment screen, and now all CX-50s have a 10.3-inch screen, albeit with limited touchscreen capabilities. Like most Mazda products, the interior design aesthetic looks snazzy and far more sophisticated than the pricing would suggest. Still, it's a smaller interior than many competitors, especially its cargo area.
If you opt for the non-turbo models, you can get a well-equipped Premium model with a panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charger, Bose 12-speaker sound system, heated seats, and more for about $36,000. If you go all-in for a Turbo Premium Plus, you will have a powerful, almost luxury-level SUV for about $45,000.
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I honestly believe Mazda took a step back in terms of their infotainment system. The entire thing relies on a knob, which isn't that intuitive to use and is remarkably slow to react. On more than one occasion, it forgot my phone, and the navigation screen was a bother to work with as well. It's odd to me as their older systems using the knob seem to work better. Oh, and it appears that you can only use the hard-to-reach touchscreen when using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
You can get similar performance, better headroom, and a lovely interior in the older, yet still excellent, Mazda CX-5. It's less expensive, and many dealerships seem to be willing to move them faster than the CX-50, which can lead to better deals. Some Mazda fans also swear that the assembly quality of the CX-5 is better than the CX-50.
Yes, a hybrid version of the CX-50 is hitting the market, but that deserves its own space for review. As crossovers go in this segment, there's a lot to like with the 2025 Mazda CX-50. It's not without faults, and some of its beauty is skin deep, but it makes up for everything when you get playful behind the wheel.
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