Mazda's New Mainstream SUV Is Confused, And That's Part Of The Charm 2023/2024 Mazda CX-50 Review
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Date: 2023-08-18
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Comments and reviews: 20
Gruntsworth
You say that you were only getting 21 mpg in this, but does Mazda have a break in period built into the ECU? I have a 21 Outback XT Touring, and when I first got it, it was only able to get roughly 20 mpg combined in normal driving. I could squeak 24 mpg out of it using some hypermiling techniques. I honestly thought something was wrong with it and I was determined to figure out how to get it to perform properly. After 8, 000 miles, it jumped from roughly 24 to 29 mpg literally overnight. Once it reached 12, 000 miles, it jumped from 29 mpg to low to mid 30s. I now consistently get 32-35 mpg out of it combined at 17k miles, and that is primarily short trips. Granted I learned all the quirks back when it was doing terribly, but it is capable of getting awesome fuel economy now considering the performance. Low 40s average on 55 mph roads. I know reviews have complained about the low fuel economy of the new turbo Subarus like the Outback and WRX, but it's obvious they have some sort of software break in built in. Does Mazda have something similar? You should drive a CX-50 that has like 15k miles and see what the mpg results are. You may be surprised how much better it does.
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You say that you were only getting 21 mpg in this, but does Mazda have a break in period built into the ECU? I have a 21 Outback XT Touring, and when I first got it, it was only able to get roughly 20 mpg combined in normal driving. I could squeak 24 mpg out of it using some hypermiling techniques. I honestly thought something was wrong with it and I was determined to figure out how to get it to perform properly. After 8, 000 miles, it jumped from roughly 24 to 29 mpg literally overnight. Once it reached 12, 000 miles, it jumped from 29 mpg to low to mid 30s. I now consistently get 32-35 mpg out of it combined at 17k miles, and that is primarily short trips. Granted I learned all the quirks back when it was doing terribly, but it is capable of getting awesome fuel economy now considering the performance. Low 40s average on 55 mph roads. I know reviews have complained about the low fuel economy of the new turbo Subarus like the Outback and WRX, but it's obvious they have some sort of software break in built in. Does Mazda have something similar? You should drive a CX-50 that has like 15k miles and see what the mpg results are. You may be surprised how much better it does.
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Stuart
I've been leasing Mazdas since May of 2016. I started with a 2016 Mazda3 hatchback Touring 2. 0. In March 2018 I went to a 2018 CX-5 AWD Touring, following in June 2020 to a CX-5 FWD Touring (Florida, no snow, so I felt AWD wasn't necessary. On November 28, 2022 I leased a 2023 CX-50 Preferred Plus AWD. Is the CX-50 better than the CX-5, IMHO yes and no. I like the greater interior length and width. I miss the better door windows on the CX-5 (better noise suppression. I feel that the lower/wider stance of the CX-50 results in less body roll than the CX-5. I don't feel much difference in the rider quality with the different rear suspension. As for the touch screen infotainment system, it works as a touch screen at lower speeds. Above that I think it is better that it doesn't work as a touch screen as it can be a distraction (like using a hand-held cell phone while driving. wait, isn't using a rotary knob the same problems.
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I've been leasing Mazdas since May of 2016. I started with a 2016 Mazda3 hatchback Touring 2. 0. In March 2018 I went to a 2018 CX-5 AWD Touring, following in June 2020 to a CX-5 FWD Touring (Florida, no snow, so I felt AWD wasn't necessary. On November 28, 2022 I leased a 2023 CX-50 Preferred Plus AWD. Is the CX-50 better than the CX-5, IMHO yes and no. I like the greater interior length and width. I miss the better door windows on the CX-5 (better noise suppression. I feel that the lower/wider stance of the CX-50 results in less body roll than the CX-5. I don't feel much difference in the rider quality with the different rear suspension. As for the touch screen infotainment system, it works as a touch screen at lower speeds. Above that I think it is better that it doesn't work as a touch screen as it can be a distraction (like using a hand-held cell phone while driving. wait, isn't using a rotary knob the same problems.
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Anthony's
Alex, love your videos. One thing that all auto reviewers fail to recognize is that once you live with a car as us mortals do, you begin to appreciate Mazdas dial. They re one of the few companies that do infotainment dials right and sadly no reviewer ever has their cars long enough to see what us owners actually go through (I m a former owner, and my wife had one too). Once you learn it, it s hands down easier than having to look down at a screen and press a capacitive button on a touchscreen. Not only easier but it s safer too. Put yourself in our shoes for once. Imagine living with any of these cars for years as we all do and it ll start to give you a slightly different perspective.
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Alex, love your videos. One thing that all auto reviewers fail to recognize is that once you live with a car as us mortals do, you begin to appreciate Mazdas dial. They re one of the few companies that do infotainment dials right and sadly no reviewer ever has their cars long enough to see what us owners actually go through (I m a former owner, and my wife had one too). Once you learn it, it s hands down easier than having to look down at a screen and press a capacitive button on a touchscreen. Not only easier but it s safer too. Put yourself in our shoes for once. Imagine living with any of these cars for years as we all do and it ll start to give you a slightly different perspective.
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Jayson
I will say that while Mazda does make some of the better looking vehicles in the industry at the moment, I find Mazda's overall to be rather mediocre. They have decent interiors, but nothing spectacular. Their infotainment is a definite weak point for them, not at all a practical system. They don't seem to be a brand of innovation and trying to make themselves stand out from the crowd. And lastly, Mazda doesn't make anything that is genuinely cool. Yes, the Miata is a fun little car, but it's not that cool of a vehicle. Nothing about Mazda at all is appealing to me in any way and I don't think that will ever change.
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I will say that while Mazda does make some of the better looking vehicles in the industry at the moment, I find Mazda's overall to be rather mediocre. They have decent interiors, but nothing spectacular. Their infotainment is a definite weak point for them, not at all a practical system. They don't seem to be a brand of innovation and trying to make themselves stand out from the crowd. And lastly, Mazda doesn't make anything that is genuinely cool. Yes, the Miata is a fun little car, but it's not that cool of a vehicle. Nothing about Mazda at all is appealing to me in any way and I don't think that will ever change.
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Yo. Adrian!
My family rented a late-model Mazda3 on a trip, and my sister and her boyfriend didn't like the infotainment system just because it didn't have a touchscreen. They always touched the screen to manipulate the navigation screen and I had to remind them about the navigation knob. They said that they won't buy a Mazda vehicle just because of that feature.
I'm glad that Mazda made the phone projection-based part of the infotainment system touch-based, while I also see how they want people to use the navigation knob for the infotainment system, especially while driving.
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My family rented a late-model Mazda3 on a trip, and my sister and her boyfriend didn't like the infotainment system just because it didn't have a touchscreen. They always touched the screen to manipulate the navigation screen and I had to remind them about the navigation knob. They said that they won't buy a Mazda vehicle just because of that feature.
I'm glad that Mazda made the phone projection-based part of the infotainment system touch-based, while I also see how they want people to use the navigation knob for the infotainment system, especially while driving.
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Daniel
I am truly flummoxed as to why so many auto journalists bash on Mazda about the lack of an IRS and an ancient six speed automatic. The vast majority of buyers dont drive at 9/10s or even 6/10s. We sit in traffic on I-5 instead. Quiet, comfortable, and easy to operate is paramount. Admittedly, Mazda is stubbornly sticking to the screen control know, which is ridiculous in 2023 to most buyers. But again, Mazda feels that the driver should be focused on driving. even while sitting in bumper to bumper gridlock on the freeway. Maddening, I know.
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I am truly flummoxed as to why so many auto journalists bash on Mazda about the lack of an IRS and an ancient six speed automatic. The vast majority of buyers dont drive at 9/10s or even 6/10s. We sit in traffic on I-5 instead. Quiet, comfortable, and easy to operate is paramount. Admittedly, Mazda is stubbornly sticking to the screen control know, which is ridiculous in 2023 to most buyers. But again, Mazda feels that the driver should be focused on driving. even while sitting in bumper to bumper gridlock on the freeway. Maddening, I know.
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James
I just bought a cx-50 select, I had a cx-5 and loved the 50 more. I think the one thing about the suspension is that the rougher ride is not from the torsion beam, it s the rims. I got out of a lower end cx-5 to a lower end cx-50 with 17 inch rims and I could not tell the ride difference at all. The bigger tires and smaller rims make a huge difference! Alex, when you test a 2024 cx-50, please test a lower end model with 17 inch rims, the ride is dramatically better with that extra 1. 5 inch sidewall!
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I just bought a cx-50 select, I had a cx-5 and loved the 50 more. I think the one thing about the suspension is that the rougher ride is not from the torsion beam, it s the rims. I got out of a lower end cx-5 to a lower end cx-50 with 17 inch rims and I could not tell the ride difference at all. The bigger tires and smaller rims make a huge difference! Alex, when you test a 2024 cx-50, please test a lower end model with 17 inch rims, the ride is dramatically better with that extra 1. 5 inch sidewall!
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arhythmius
My father in law asked for a vehicle recommendation to replace his Ford Escape. I said to look at Mazda and see what strikes him. He ended up getting a new midrange CX5, and was very thankful for my suggestion. Personally I think the exterior is nicer than the CX50 (I'm not sold on that cladding, but the interiors on both are probably the best at that price. His also has the smaller wheels with higher-profile tires, which I think is a good choice considering the roads in their town.
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My father in law asked for a vehicle recommendation to replace his Ford Escape. I said to look at Mazda and see what strikes him. He ended up getting a new midrange CX5, and was very thankful for my suggestion. Personally I think the exterior is nicer than the CX50 (I'm not sold on that cladding, but the interiors on both are probably the best at that price. His also has the smaller wheels with higher-profile tires, which I think is a good choice considering the roads in their town.
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Kevin
Poor use of space and poor fuel efficiency is the major frustration for me on the cx-50. I also wish manufacturers would stop putting too big of wheels on tip trims. At least some amount of rubber is necessary for an acceptable ride. And that lack of rear independent suspension. when he s saying if you re on a less than perfect road like this I m thinking that road looks 100x better than anything within 90 miles of me. I hope they continue to tweak some things for this model.
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Poor use of space and poor fuel efficiency is the major frustration for me on the cx-50. I also wish manufacturers would stop putting too big of wheels on tip trims. At least some amount of rubber is necessary for an acceptable ride. And that lack of rear independent suspension. when he s saying if you re on a less than perfect road like this I m thinking that road looks 100x better than anything within 90 miles of me. I hope they continue to tweak some things for this model.
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Gary
As always great analysis. The rotary dial control would drive me nuts especially with the jackal and Hyde touchscreen for Apple CarPlay Android Auto would drive me nuts. You know it doesn t have to have all the power in the world to feel great on a smooth curvy road as a independent rear suspension would help you handle those things in a very fun low torque kind of way. I think they missed the boat not giving that to their customers especially at this higher price. 28: 40
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As always great analysis. The rotary dial control would drive me nuts especially with the jackal and Hyde touchscreen for Apple CarPlay Android Auto would drive me nuts. You know it doesn t have to have all the power in the world to feel great on a smooth curvy road as a independent rear suspension would help you handle those things in a very fun low torque kind of way. I think they missed the boat not giving that to their customers especially at this higher price. 28: 40
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Tom
We recently bought a CX-5. Not sure I understand the point of CX-50. There really isn't much difference. Test drove both and they felt the same to me. We ended up with the CX-5 because they had one with the options and in the color we liked but if those options/color had been in the CX-50 would have got that. I didn't do any research they only had 2023 CX-5 and the CX-50s were all 2024 so I figured it was the new version.
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We recently bought a CX-5. Not sure I understand the point of CX-50. There really isn't much difference. Test drove both and they felt the same to me. We ended up with the CX-5 because they had one with the options and in the color we liked but if those options/color had been in the CX-50 would have got that. I didn't do any research they only had 2023 CX-5 and the CX-50s were all 2024 so I figured it was the new version.
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Leon
I know you are not a fan of the infotainment system. I drive a 2029 F150, King Ranch. My wife drives a 2022 Maxda CX9 Signature. I much prefer the Mazda s infotainment system. No reaching to the screen and something I use a lot in both vehicles Is the NAV. Twisting the Mazda knob to zoom in and out trumps a touch screen. The more I drive the Mazda the more I prefer it s infotainment over the King Ranch.
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I know you are not a fan of the infotainment system. I drive a 2029 F150, King Ranch. My wife drives a 2022 Maxda CX9 Signature. I much prefer the Mazda s infotainment system. No reaching to the screen and something I use a lot in both vehicles Is the NAV. Twisting the Mazda knob to zoom in and out trumps a touch screen. The more I drive the Mazda the more I prefer it s infotainment over the King Ranch.
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alliejr
My millennial daughter (child of the touchscreen era) has ZERO issue with the rotary knob vs. touchscreen in her (first car) CX-30. I think you are waaaayyy overplaying this feature. What we did discover when shopping Mazda vs. Hyundai, Kia, Honda, Toyota is that the Mazda was absolutely a step up from all of them regardless of the tech specs of the rear suspension for the same (often less) money.
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My millennial daughter (child of the touchscreen era) has ZERO issue with the rotary knob vs. touchscreen in her (first car) CX-30. I think you are waaaayyy overplaying this feature. What we did discover when shopping Mazda vs. Hyundai, Kia, Honda, Toyota is that the Mazda was absolutely a step up from all of them regardless of the tech specs of the rear suspension for the same (often less) money.
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Robert
I owned a CX5 Turbo and test drove the CX50 Turbo thinking that the larger car would be more comfortable. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed with the driving dynamics compared to the CX5. I ended up buying a Kia K5 GT plus the 4k option package for my bigger, more comfortable vehicle and on my 28 mile highway loop got 39mpg. 0-60mph in 5. 5 seconds ain't bad either!
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I owned a CX5 Turbo and test drove the CX50 Turbo thinking that the larger car would be more comfortable. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed with the driving dynamics compared to the CX5. I ended up buying a Kia K5 GT plus the 4k option package for my bigger, more comfortable vehicle and on my 28 mile highway loop got 39mpg. 0-60mph in 5. 5 seconds ain't bad either!
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Kevin
I d add that for me personally, I think I d much rather go with an RDX SH-AWD base + tech. It s a bit more at 46k but they give you a lot of stuff in the RDX even starting with the base. And I love the way sh-awd drives (technically i-vtm4 in my Honda. If I could do without navigation and real leather, the 43k base RDX is very tempting.
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I d add that for me personally, I think I d much rather go with an RDX SH-AWD base + tech. It s a bit more at 46k but they give you a lot of stuff in the RDX even starting with the base. And I love the way sh-awd drives (technically i-vtm4 in my Honda. If I could do without navigation and real leather, the 43k base RDX is very tempting.
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Miles
I feel like this will probably wind up being a sleeper pick, but the loss of an under 30k base trim will probably be a deal breaker for many customers (even though yes I know it comes with a lot of nice stuff. Somehow I get the sense that some of these will sit on the lot for a while then become better bargains next year.
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I feel like this will probably wind up being a sleeper pick, but the loss of an under 30k base trim will probably be a deal breaker for many customers (even though yes I know it comes with a lot of nice stuff. Somehow I get the sense that some of these will sit on the lot for a while then become better bargains next year.
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Laszlo
I drive a BMW 430i Gran Coupe, and my wife drives a Mazda3 hatch Carbon Edition. The common thing we both love about our cars is the infotainment dial.
I ll take a dial over a touch screen, anyday. It s far less fatiguing to use a dial than constantly poking and prodding a touch screen to do everything.
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I drive a BMW 430i Gran Coupe, and my wife drives a Mazda3 hatch Carbon Edition. The common thing we both love about our cars is the infotainment dial.
I ll take a dial over a touch screen, anyday. It s far less fatiguing to use a dial than constantly poking and prodding a touch screen to do everything.
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nah
The CX-70 should be a winner and really fill out the lineup. The CX-5 and CX-50 are just a little too small and unimpressive on paper to really elevate them to that next level. I love Mazda but they've been beyond stubborn, a little more interior space and better infotainment and they'd be very competitive.
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The CX-70 should be a winner and really fill out the lineup. The CX-5 and CX-50 are just a little too small and unimpressive on paper to really elevate them to that next level. I love Mazda but they've been beyond stubborn, a little more interior space and better infotainment and they'd be very competitive.
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Ferdinand
I had a CX50 loaner car for the day and have to say that it was very nice. Drove like a car, felt peppy, and was elegantly nice (like a Volvo) inside. If you are looking for cars, be sure to test drive a Mazda and you will see how they are premium in comparison to a Toyota or Honda.
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I had a CX50 loaner car for the day and have to say that it was very nice. Drove like a car, felt peppy, and was elegantly nice (like a Volvo) inside. If you are looking for cars, be sure to test drive a Mazda and you will see how they are premium in comparison to a Toyota or Honda.
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theBatmanGoeth2
Feels like Mazda makes cars for average car reviewers who love power, sporty handling, and looks. They don't care about the entire rest of the vehicle that someone who is looking to put 30K plus on a vehicle to drive every day would.
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Feels like Mazda makes cars for average car reviewers who love power, sporty handling, and looks. They don't care about the entire rest of the vehicle that someone who is looking to put 30K plus on a vehicle to drive every day would.
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