Back to Basics: The 2023 Mazda CX-50 Lives up to the Sport Utility Vehicle Name
Getting into a brand-new car, truck, or SUV can be overwhelming sometimes. There are so many screens and sounds, reminders to buckle your seatbelt and to check the back seat. However, this Mazda SUV gets a lot right. Stepping into the new 2023 Mazda CX-50 isn’t quite as overwhelming. Here are a few reasons why the 2023 CX-50 would make an excellent vehicle for someone looking for a reliable ride and a comfortable adventure. Check out the 2023 Mazda CX-50 price and other important information after we spent a week driving this SUV around.
What is the MSRP for the 2023 Mazda CX-50?
The 2023 Mazda CX-50 price ranges from $27,550 for the base 2.5 S trim and up to $42,300 for the fully-loaded 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus. After spending a week with the 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition, this SUV delivers on all its promises. It has a 2.5L turbo engine with 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, but Mazda offers a few engine choices throughout the lineup.
| 2023 Mazda CX-50 Trim | Price |
| 2.5 S | $27,550 |
| 2.5 S Select | $28,950 |
| 2.5 S Preferred | $30,250 |
| 2.5 S Preferred Plus | $32,690 |
| 2.5 S Premium | $35,150 |
| 2.5 S Premium Plus | $37,150 |
| 2.5 Turbo | $37,150 |
| 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition | $39,950 |
| 2.5 Turbo Premium | $40,300 |
| 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus | $42,300 |
Mazda’s engine was powerful enough to scoot around town and got pretty good fuel economy. Getting 23 mpg in the city and 29 mpg overall isn’t class-leading, but it was pretty accurate for what we saw in real-world conditions. That works out to an annual fuel cost of only $1,750, less than the average new vehicle.
Is the 2023 Mazda CX-50 bigger than the CX-5?
The 2023 Mazda CX-50 is bigger than the 2022 Mazda CX-5 but uses those extra inches well. The CX-50 has just over five inches in length over the CX-5, which adds some much-needed space throughout. Mazda also included some helpful storage features throughout the cabin, which would benefit families on a road trip. It is also just a bit wider and shorter, with some new details on the exterior that set the two SUVs apart.
| 2023 Mazda CX-50 | 2022 Mazda CX-5 | |
| Length | 185.8 inches | 180.1 in |
| Width | 75.6 in | 72.6 in |
| Height | 63.5-63.9 inches | 65.4-65.6 inches |
| Wheelbase | 110.8 inches | 106.2 inches |
| Cargo space | 31.4 cubic feet | 30.8 cubic feet |
When looking at the vehicles side by side, the CX-50 sets itself apart in a few ways. It looks lower and wider and has some modern upgrades to the front end. The new headlights fit nicely on the new CX-50 and provide good visibility while driving around at night. One thing that stood out while driving the new SUV was the turn radius. Even though it was longer than the Mazda CX-5, the SUV was easy to turn around in tight parking lots.
Is the Mazda CX-50 good in snow?
Though we did not have any snow in Florida while driving the 2023 Mazda CX-50, all trim levels come with all-wheel drive standard. This makes it suitable for snowy weather and makes it more capable on and off-road. Mazda uses the Mazda intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) system, which has three different modes: Sport, Off-Road, and Tow. Sport mode enhances vehicle responsiveness, which was appreciated while getting up to speed on the highway. Off-road mode helps prevent wheel spinning and increases traction, which can be helpful in sand, mud, and snow. Tow mode is obviously used when towing, with a maximum of 3,500 pounds.
The 2023 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition came with some other upgrades that we appreciated, like the 18″ black metallic alloy wheels and all-terrain tires.
It would be easy to live with the 2023 Mazda CX-50 and drive it daily. Mazda made the CX-50 more capable than the average SUV but kept it fun and sporty. Living up to the sport utility vehicle name, one trip to the supermarket at a time.
