2023 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus

The Mazda CX50 Turbo Premium Plus was a delight to drive, but before I get too deep into my likes and dislikes, I need to make a public confession. I WANT ONE. It’s hard to test drive a car then you don’t want to give it back. If you are a woman, and most likely you are because the readers that look to me for advice, expertise and review pleasure are women drivers. I don’t mean women who simply shuffle the kids around. I’m talking about women who drive for sport. Women who drive for leisure women who drive to relax, get away and just enjoy their very own machinery.

We get ourselves removed from the manufacturer's holiday card list, a quick recap: The all-new 2023 Mazda CX-50 is a five-seat compact SUV designed expressly for U.S. and Canadian markets. It addresses what some might consider shortcomings in the Mazda's compact CX-5, with more passenger and cargo space and better towing and off-road abilities. While the bulk of Mazda’s are imported, the CX-50 is built in Alabama at a new plant jointly operated with Toyota

Compared to the CX-5, the 2023 Mazda CX-50 stands about 6.5 inches longer and 3.0 inches wider, with about an inch more ground clearance (the exact figure varies based on wheel and tire size) but a 2.0inch-lower roofline. This engine is just about adequate in the CX-30, and the CX-50 is 320 pounds heavier than that vehicle so how's that going to work? Mazda's aging six-speed automatic and allwheel drive come standard, and fuel-economy estimates are decent (25 to 27 mpg in the EPA combined cycle) but short of class leaders. Mazda plans to add a Toyota-sourced hybrid powertrain as an option in the not-too-distant future.

Great For Curves

It should come as no surprise the 2023 Mazda CX50 is at its best on a sharp, twisty road, where its admirably precise steering and well-damped suspension give the kind of precision we expect from a German sports car. Mazda's G-Vectoring system makes smart use of the center and rear differentials to control weight transfer; among its tricks, it keeps weight on the front end to sharpen corner turn-in. Few cars (let alone SUVs) respond so intuitively to steering inputs as the CX-50 like the Miata, you can practically think it through the curves.

But as talented as the CX-50 is, we can't say it's always enjoyable. The steering, though exceptionally accurate, is also heavy. The ride is rather firm, and in the chassis' heroic efforts to keep all four tire contact patches glued to the Earth, the CX-50 bobs, and weaves on uneven pavement. It seems even Mazda's suspension wizardry can't overcome the behavioral issues of a torsion-beam rear axle. We also felt the vague tug of torque steer at certain engine RPMs, particularly on corner exit. And remember we mentioned the CX-50's width? On some narrow roads, the CX-50 felt as big as a full-size pickup. We were able to make rapid progress on the most challenging sections, but our speed was hard-won the CX-50 felt like it was working against us rather than with us.

Drive Styles

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 features multiple drive modes, something Mazda has steadfastly avoided in the past. We looked for a marked difference between Normal and Sport modes, but Mazda intentionally avoided this; the company's take is that drive modes should not change the car's character, but rather preserve it in other words, ensure a consistent driving experience even when conditions change. That's a notable goal, but it also misses the point somewhat. In our view, one of the purposes of multiple drive moves is to give a driver a break during less-demanding conditions. Good as the CX50 was on that one curvy lane (and yes, we tried it in Normal and Sport modes; the differences were quite subtle), it would have been a lot less fatiguing on average roads if we could have dialed down the steering effort and off-center response.

Mazda's philosophy works better on dirt and gravel surfaces, where the Off-Road mode makes the car respond much as it does on dry pavement. On terrain uneven enough to get a wheel in the air, the CX-50 did a great job getting power to the ground. Unfortunately, the CX-50 has no hill-descent mode, which Mazda basically dismisses as a gimmick. Perhaps it is, but after descending a steep, loose hill while trying to modulate the brakes with the CX-50 in a semi-slide, we were reminded that a gimmick that provides peace-of-mind is a useful one indeed.

CX-50s with the turbocharged engine can tow up to 3,500 pounds. We got a chance to tow at max capacity and were impressed by the SUV's stability. TheCX-50hasaTowing drivemode(whichreplaces

Sport when a trailer is connected) that once again uses the center differential to shift weight forward and improve steering response. We found the difference too subtle to feel, but to be fair, a strong sense of self-preservation prevented us from jerking the wheel with the trailer attached.

Lots of Selections

Mazda plans to launch nine versions of the 2023 CX50, beginning with the naturally aspirated 2.5 S. Priced at $28,025, it includes all-wheel drive, adaptive cruise control, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The non-turbo 2.5 model will be offered in S, Select, Preferred, Preferred Plus, Premium, and Premium Plus trims, while the turbocharged 2.5 will come in Turbo, Premium, and Premium Plus models. We drove the latter, priced at $42,725 with dual-zone climate control, a power liftgate, panoramic sunroof, Bose stereo, and leather seats heated and cooled in front and heated in back). A 10th model, the top-of-theline Meridian Edition, will feature black wheels, offroad tires, and hood graphics; Mazda hasn't yet announced its price.

All in all, the 2023 Mazda CX-50 is an SUV that average drivers will likely find too single-minded. Mazda concentrated on making the CX-50 a good performer in the curves, and that's an admirable trait, but it comes at the detriment of day-to-day comfort. And while rear space and cargo room are better than the CX-5, they're hardly best-in-class features.

Perhaps using the CX-30 platform was Mazda's mistake, as the CX-5 has a much better ride-handling compromise, and perhaps a simple stretch of that longtime favorite would have worked better. Adjustable steering feel and damping and more sound insulation would make the CX-50 a much more livable SUV.

The CX-50 comes adventure ready and signifies a new styling expression in the Mazda lineup that blends the brand’s striking Kodo design with outdoor confidence. CX-50 respectfully interacts with its newfound surroundings while emphasizing Mazda’s trademark driving experience and expanded off-road capability, allowing drivers to be closer to nature.

The CX-50 is available in 10 packages with two efficient powertrain choices – a Skyactiv-G 2.5L naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, or a Skyactiv-G 2.5L Turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 256 hp and320lb-ftoftorqueon premium 93 octane gas, 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on regular 87 octane gas. Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The CX-50 comes standard with i-Active All-Wheel Drive (AWD) technology and new Mazda Intelligent Drive Select, or Mi-Drive with Sport, Off-Road and Towing modes on select packages. Drive modes can be selected with the Mi-Drive control and will help the crossover SUV perform naturally and confidently in a wide variety of driving conditions, such as off-road terrain, snow or while towing up to 3,500 pounds on select packages.

CX-50 2.5 S Package

The entry-level CX-50 2.5 S offers customers an impressive array of standard premium safety, convenience, and technology amenities, such as an 8.8-inch full-color center console display, eight-speaker audio system, wireless Apple CarPlayTM and Android AutoTM integration, Mazda ConnectTM Infotainment system, two USB ports, remote keyless entry with push-button start, a 7-inch TFT LCD instrument panel display, among many other standard features.

Moving to the exterior of the CX-50, standard features include unique 17-inch Gray Metallic alloy wheels, LED headlights, rear roof spoiler, bodycolored power side-view mirrors with LED turn signal indicators, and dual exhaust outlets. All CX50 2.5 S packages come exclusively with a SkyactivG 2.5L naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, Skyactiv-Drive six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode and standard i-Activ AWD system with Mi-Drive with Sport and Off-Road mode with a 2,000-pound towing capacity.

Aswith anyMazdavehicle,safety is apriorityfor the CX-50, whether on the road or venturing out into nature. Standard active and passive safety features carryover to all CX-50 packages and include Advanced Smart City Brake Support with pedestrian detection, Blind Spot Monitoring, Driver Attention Alert, Lane Departure Warning System, Lane Keep Assist, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.