2022 Mazda CX-50

With a curb weight of 2,118-kilograms the EV isn’t likely to win any autocross events, but the MacPherson front strut and independent rear suspension does a good job of enabling the SUV to seamlessly navigate tight urban roads, and is quite comfortable even on bumpier pavement.

As found in competing products on the market, brake regeneration technology converts the kinetic energy produced during braking and recycles it to feed the battery. Rather than holding down a paddle each time to activate this handy function, turning on the One Pedal Drive mode once accomplishes the task automatically. Whenever the accelerator is released the car slows down, albeit in a rather aggressive manner, and in the city virtually eliminates the need to touch the brake pedal.

Another company first is the use of the Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS) sensor platform. Like the onboard collision avoidance and mitigation safety system — which full disclosure is quite sensitive and can occasionally false trigger during parking manoeuvres — ADAS is scalable and future-proof.

Though stock is limited right now due to ongoing supply chain issues, buyers interested in a base 2022 model will be paying $5,000 less compared to last year with the introduction of a new Core trim retailing for $59,950.

New adventure-inspired SUV

Mazda

CX-50

By Benjamin Yong

Following the release of the subcompact CX-30 crossover and its electrified cousin the MX-30, it’s only natural Mazda would follow up with a larger SUV built on the same platform and utilizing similar nomenclature. And now the Hiroshima-based manufacturer has: behold the first-ever CX-50. “This new Mazda vehicle has been developed for North America, particularly to support the active and outdoor lifestyles of customers in this region.”

"This new Mazda vehicle has been developed for North America, particularly to support the active and outdoor lifestyles of customers in this region," - Jeff Guyton says Jeff Guyton, president and CEO of the company’s North American operations in a press release."The CX-50 encourages people to immerse themselves in nature without compromising on the premium design and outstanding on-road performance Mazda is known for." The most immediately noticeable outdoorsy aspect is the use of copious amounts of black body cladding on the bumpers, wheel arches and side sills. The addition of the off-road-ready armour complements the windswept lines of Kodo styling language surprisingly well, particularly in the desert-esque Zircon Sand Metallic paint colour of Darpan’s press loaner. One might assume the rugged exterior means the interior is of the plastic-ky hose-clean variety. Not the case at all — in face the GT Turbo model we test drove featured perhaps the plushest leather dash covering ever seen in the segment. In signature Mazda fashion, other various little details around the cabin echo the brand-wide move towards a more premium product like the brushed metal door handles and the introduction of a panoramic moonroof.

Highlights

MSRP: $45,350 (base) Motor: 2.5-litre turbocharged four cylinder Horsepower: 227 @ 5,000 rpm Torque (lb-ft): 310 @ 2,000 rpm Gearbox: Six-speed automatic Layout: Front engine, allwheel drive Fuel economy: 13.1 L/100 km mixed city/highway (observed)