The Mazda CX-50, and the power of marketing

What makes a car cool? If manufacturers knew the formula, they’d undoubtedly use it on everything they make – which would then make everything uncool. Quite the catch 22. Truth be told, it’s better when it happens by accident, so despite their insistence on adding “Zoom-Zoom” to everything, the Mazda CX-50 actually is…cool?

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 Overview

Infiniti. Lexus. Acura. Japanese success stories? Perhaps, but born out of necessity. Who’s going to pay $100,000 for a Mercedes S Class competitor from Toyota? Especially when you have to service it at the same dealership that’s working on that old lady’s twenty-year-old Corolla. These luxury brands allow their parent companies to charge more for cars that are essentially the same – they share chassis, engines, etc. You’re paying for experience and perception as much as performance.

Mazda followed suite with a division called Amati in 1991. Quickly, the Japanese economy bubble burst, and they cancelled plans a year later. So it’s just Mazda left alone to fight against the big, bad luxury brands.

But there are benefits to this. Without having to worry about making their cars “too nice” to compete with a higher internal marquee, Mazda is free to build cars that straddle markets, and this CX-50 is a perfect example. It’s good-looking, with a very clean interior and a driving experience that left me saying, “Yea, really?”.

Course they still make the Miata, so such soulful performance isn’t surprising. But forcing that “Zoom-Zoom” approach on everything can sometimes be a company’s biggest issue. Stop trying to make fetch a thing.

Well, now fetch is a thing.

Performance Score: 7. Family. Fun.

Many times, the cars I drive use a hammer approach – tossing as much power as possible at a chassis, and calling it good.

Mazda instead offers precision, and it’s a rewarding drive. Even the RX-7 was the least powerful of those famous Japanese coupes.

Engine

I can always tell how a car will drive before I even press the start button. If I see the gas pedal mounted on the floor there is hope, and you now know the CX has one.

Yes, this is one of the least powerful cars I’ve driven. Its 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four can be had with a turbo, but the Preferred Premium trim here has no oxygen tank and pumps out just 187 horsepower. In short, I would do the turbo, if only because of fuel economy that I’ll point to in a bit.

However…and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but this is a really good engine. It’s never buzzy or gruff, revs freely, and is responsive. It just takes a bit to really get moving. What if I told you I liked it better than those German turbo fours, which aren’t as smooth? Think of it in a fun way – carry your momentum through turns, no wasted speed because that big power isn’t there to pull you out of the corner. 

The turbo is $4,000 more, but buy with the confidence of knowing that you own perhaps the best four-cylinder on the market. 

Transmission

You know what this thing needs? A DCT! C’mon Mazda!

Yea, right – they don’t have the budget to make one. In its place is a six-speed automatic that’s not bad. Mazda says, “SKYACTIV-Drive technology incorporates elements of DCT and CVT designs. This allows for a combination of fuel efficiency and a sporty driving experience.

Yea, sure. That’s like a super model reproducing with the Elephant man. I got no whiff of the hated CVT experience here, but I do wish for an extra gear or two – would help with economy.

Chassis and steering

This is the best part. It’s one of those things I wish I could bring you, the reader, on my test drive to experience.

Very few cars, let alone SUVs, offer the simple and precise kind of feedback that this CX-50 has. Not the X3 M. Not the Porsche Cayenne Turbo or AMG GLC 43. Those are big names, but the CX could give them all a lesson.

Partial credit must go to the excellent chassis, which offers the kind of ride quality tradeoff of much more premium brands. It’s never harsh, and despite its 3,700-pound curb weight, feels light on its feet. Placing the CX in sport mode does nothing to make the ride worse, but it does make the steering heavier and actually improves the feel. Take that, Germans.

No lean, no drama, but also no big clomps over bumps. This goes back to old E46 BMW days. A simple 325 had no adjustable modes, just a clean, great ride with crisp responses. Well, now that lives here. This is with a trailing arm rear suspension no less – usually regarded as inferior to an independent setup.

Wrapped around  17-inch wheels are modest 225/65 all-reason rubber, which I bring up because Mazda doesn’t offer a summer tire option. I dare you to try it and have one of the best-handling SUVs on the road.

Brakes

Brake hardware has very little to do with pedal response, and though the CX-50’s braking setup seems pedestrian, its pedal is quick to respond and firm. No, you can’t autocross with it, but for powering through back-road hairpins, it’s great.

Overall, a feather is Mazda’s cap. 

Lifestyle Score: 7. Adding a zero

Mazda actually offers another midsize SUV, the CX-5, and the -50 seems to have been inspired by Mazda looking over at Subaru’s homework and copying its Outback design.

In reality, this is a bit different from both. The CX-50’s body is 1.4 inches lower, 3.0 inches wider, and 5.7 inches longer than the CX-5, and if I’m honest (I’m always honest), the roof is a bit too cropped for my six-foot frame. I hate when my hairline kisses the roof. It’s also a bit taller than the Outback, so it offers a more traditional SUV seating position. 

The seats themselves are comfortable, but I want more lateral support. The Outback was better. Not very zoom-zoom if you ask me. The rear too – a bit tight, depending on how old your kids are. Just sit back there and keep quiet, Daddy’s favorite road is coming up.

A nicely-sized and square trunk rounds out the package. Tight, but still functional. 

Fuel Economy: 1. Your game is weak

Do you want me to go back? You want me to go back. Let’s go back.

• 25 Combined /22 City / 29 Highway MPG
• 27 Combined / 25 City / 30 Highway MPG

Uh huh, it’s our friend X3 M50 and Subaru Outback! Now, the Mazda:

• 27 Combined / 24 City / 30 Highway MPG

To be frank, this is bullshit. There’s CVTs, small engines, no turbos, whatever – the BMW still bests them, and it’s way heavier and waaaay faster. This Mazda CX-50 should be in the mid-30s.

If you’re wondering, the CX-50’s turbo engine gets 25 combined MPG. Might as well.

Features and Comfort: 8. Miata in shoulder pads

The CX is high-end, inside and out. Maybe more so inside.

Escaped Audi

Japanese cars have always had this plasticy feel that perseveres no matter the price tag. The Mazda is one of the first, at any price point, to break that trend. Looks like they studied at the Audi school of design.

We have a minimal design here, with buttons from what feels like an S4 – they all “click” when you press them. There’s a smallish screen here, with Apple CarPlay included. There’s also an iDrive-like knob, and a simple dash with real dials. 

The surfaces are a mix of leather and Alcantara, making me wonder just how long it’ll be before junior stains the fabric and you have to place an order with AMMO NYC. It’s also a bit black in here, but the only other option is brown on the Turbo trim. I suppose choice is the ultimate luxury.

Paint all the things

Because Mazda has the CX-5 to project a “sporty on-road image”, the CX-50 can be aimed more at the off-road themed crowd. As a result, the CX gets unpainted cladding like the Outback. Hell – even Porsche does it. I don’t like it on anything, and the fact that a G-Wagon, the most off-road thing ever, is fully painted speaks volumes. 

Despite that, the CX is a handsome thing – I like the squat look, even if it cuts into head space. Painted Ingot Blue Metallic, the car is mostly devoid of frills, aside from some fake scoops and vents. Maybe add some bigger polished wheels, and it would look far more expensive than it sells for.

Others SUVs to consider

• 2025 Subaru Outback XT
• Mercedes AMG GLC 43
• Mercedes AMG GLB 35
• BMW X4 xDrive 30i
• BMW X2 M35i

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 Preferred Plus has a soul, which is more than a lot of “better” cars have

When it comes to driving, society as a whole leaves a lot to be desired. People suck at it because they don’t care. That’s on them.

But the result is that 90% of mainstream cars on sale today cater to that society. Oh look – a bigger screen! This car parks itself! This car drives itself – YUCK.

All the while, cars get more dull, slower to respond and heavier with features. Focus groups tell companies that (use your The Nanny Fran Fine voice), “the steering is too heavyyyy, the brakes are so hard to pressssss, the engine snaps my neckkkk.”

Mazda forgoes all that. This CX offers the feel of a Porsche, if not the speed or high limits, and that is better in some ways. It’s fun at 5, 50, or Mach 5. Forget about other cars at this price point – you really want a Nissan Rogue? Alas, Mazda sold 81,000 CX-50s in 2024. Sounds like a lot? Nissan sold over 224,000 Rogues.

But Mazda continues to grow – they sold more cars last year than ever before. I just hope that they remember the philosophy that took them this far.

Zoom-zoom all the things.