2023 Mazda CX-50 Test Drive Review: Take A Walk On The Wild Side

The Mazda CX-5 is our reference compact crossover for style, quality, and sophistication at family car pricing. Now, the Japanese brand has added a new quality to its format with the adventure-seeking Mazda CX-50.. The CX-50 inserts ruggedness into the equation by adding off-road chops to a standard all-wheel-drive system and a longer wheelbase for enhanced practicality. The new CX-50 is available with two of Mazda's proven Skyactiv-G engines - a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder unit making 187 horsepower or a more powerful turbocharged version making 256 hp in ideal conditions. In both instances, power is sent to a clever all-wheel-drive system via a six-speed automatic transmission.

Mazda is making a bold move by adding a new line to its deliberately well-pruned model lineup. It looks like a smart one. It's a market generally ruled by Subaru, and the CX-50 is clearly set to go up against the Outback, but TRD trims from the Toyota RAV4 lineup are also in its sights. Mazda has its own philosophy for building an adventure vehicle, so we took ourselves up to Santa Barbara to give the new CX-50 in Turbo Premium Plus guise a workout on some of Northern California's roads and dirt tracks.

2023 Mazda CX-50 Changes: What’s the difference vs 2022 CX-50?

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 is an all-new arrival, introducing a Mazda SUV for outdoor enthusiasts. 10 trims will be available (although the Turbo Meridian special edition will be a late release) along with two powertrains. The CX-50 comes with a 2.5-liter engine that is either naturally aspirated or turbocharged. In the case of the latter, and provided it's running on premium gas, the CX-50 delivers 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque. Every model in the lineup comes with a standard all-wheel-drive system plus an off-road driving mode. Mazda's signature Kodo design language works well on the CX-50, and for the first time on any Mazda, a panoramic moonroof will be available.

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