Mazda is revamping its lineup. First, the CX-3 was replaced by the handsome CX-30, The CX-9 was put out to pasture for the new CX-90. And they’ve just introduced the CX-70, basically a 2-row version of the CX-90. About a year ago, Mazda also introduced the CX-50, but the CX-5 still remains. At least for 2024. But it’s clear the ’50 is the future of their compact SUV. Worth another look? You bet.
Hot New Looks
The CX-50 follows the new design language we’re also seeing in the CX-30 and CX-90. They look wider, more muscular and substantial than the previous models, as well as looking more upscale at the same time.
The familiar Mazda pentagon grille looks especially tough in in its blacked-out glory, making a perfect resting place for the tasteful chrome Mazda logo. Projector-beam design LED headlights add a serious frown, while large side intakes add a sporty flair. Our favorite touch are the subtle but slender lights at the bottom of the fascia, looking futuristic and elegant.
That new, wide look is visible with the profile with bulging fender flares and black liners that tie into a lower body molding for a look that’s trail ready. We also love the 20-inch alloys that really fill out the wheel wells.
The rearview is like the front, subtle but powerful. The rear taillights are a fresh design, reminding us of the CX-30, but a bit more of a squared-off that we think has a European vibe. Large side grilles echo the front, while a lower fascia with nicely sized dual exhaust pipes promise strong performance. The finishing touch on our tester was the handsome Ingot Blue Metallic paint, a handsome blue gray that looks tasteful and really helps sell the muscular look.
Interestingly when we first tested the CX-50, we felt that although gorgeous, it really didn’t look like a Mazda. What a difference a year or so makes – with the CX-90 and introduction of the CX-70, the CX-50 now fits into the Mazda family easily. And it’s a direction we really like.
Luxurious Cabin
Along with a new exterior design language, Mazda has been upgrading their interiors to feel more upscale and luxurious. We love the Mazda take on design, pursuing a very Audi-like vibe with high quality materials and and an elegant, slightly minimalist look.
Open the door and our Turbo Premium Plus greets you with leather trimmed seats with contrasting orange stitching. Mazda has been upgrading the design of the their seats lately, and the front buckets are very supportive, as well as heated and cooled to make any time of year comfy.
Mazda has always been a driverʻs brand, so of course thereʻs a nice, meaty 3-spoke leather steering wheel and an honest to goodness shift lever as well – no electronic pushbutton shifter here!
Compared to the CX-5, you do sit a bit lower in the CX-50, but you still get excellent SUV visibility, and the interior feels wider and more spacious. Those in the rear will find adult-size comfort as well, and cargo space is impressive, even with the rear seats up. A handy lever in the cargo bay lets you remote drop the rear seats, and when you do, overall room is impressive.
We love Mazdaʻs take on the guage package with a large analog 8,000 rpm tach and coolant and fuel gauges, while the center 160 mph speedometer is actually a 7-inch LCD that looks analog. The display does other nice stuff, like displaying speed limit signs, stops, fuel range and more, all in an easy to see package. Our tester also had a nice heads-up display that comes in handy.
The center console houses a big and beautiful 10.3-inch widescreen, accessed through a very Audi-like click wheel behind the shift lever. A smaller volume knob is also within easy reach. While we still prefer a touchscreen, the Mazda system is well thought out, and you adapt to it very quickly. That big screen also works beautifully with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and our testerʻs 360-degree monitor made parking a snap. The 12-speaker Bose audio system fills up the cabin with quality sound .
We also like that Mazda keeps the climate control separate from the info-tainment system, with easy to use knobs, simple buttons for heated steering wheel, heated and cooled seats and instantly recognizable controls for air flow and defrosting. Simple, elegant and functional.
European Road Manners
Interestingly, the only very minor changes for 2024 are an update to suspension and steering for enhanced performance. We were pretty thrilled by last yearʻs model!
Lower-level models feature Mazdaʻs 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder putting out a reasonable 187 horsepower. And itʻs a fine, efficient powerplant. But for our money, we highly reccomend the turbocharged version that bumps it up to a glorious 256 horsepower and 320 lb.-ft of torque. (Note: Thatʻs on premium gas, regular drops you down to 227 hp).
This is our favorite turbo Mazda at the moment – while Mazda seems to be tuning their other engines for refinement, the CX-50 feels much more aimed at the enthusiast, with a more pronounced growl, and a stronger punch in the back when you lean into it.
Combined with a quick-shifting 6-speed automatic and all-wheel-drive – both standard – the CX-50 channels its inner Miata and takes off with authority and a nice little rasp to the exhaust. Shifting via lever or steering wheel paddles add even more fun. We’d guess 0-60 mph in a little over 6 seconds. That’s quick – and it feels even quicker! All that fun, plus you still get an EPA highway estimate of 29 mpg.
As we mentioned, Mazda says that they have updated the settings in the ride and steering, but weʻd be hard pressed to notice a difference – maybe if you drive old and new back-to-back. That said, the CX-50 is a delight around town and on a twisty road. Steering is precise and full of feel, the ride quality is a perfect blend of control and responsiveness, and the AWD really grips in the turns. We didnʻt get a chance to do any off-roading, but weʻd guess the CX-50 to be quite capable in the kind of bad weather, snow and light off-roading its owners are most likely to encounter.
Bang for the Buck?
We like Mazdaʻs pricing on the CX-50 – something for everybody.
You can get a CX-50 2.5 S Select for just $30,300. For a spacious, stylish crossover that’s fun to drive, and includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Mazda Radar Cruise Control w/ Stop & Go, plus AWD, a great value.
Our tester was the top of the line 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus, which starts at $43,300. With no options, and $1,375 for destination, we rang the bell at $44,675.
We’d certainly consider the Toyota RAV4 which comes in very close at $43,920. The Toyotaʻs hybrid powertrain makes for a very rapid and efficient drive, but weʻd opt for the Mazdaʻs even better performance and upscale luxury interior. We mentioned the lovely Mazda CX-5 , which the CX-50 will ultimately replace, coming in at a less expensive at $41,975. Weʻd probably opt for the upgraded looks and goodies of the CX-50.
Feeling outdoorsy? We’d look at the Subaru Forester at$38,740, and the Honda CR-V which is a great all-arounder, at $41,550. You can see that Mazda is stretching itʻs legs into the luxury lane and not only is it a great competitor to the traditional small SUVs, but could also tempt you away from the much more expensive Europeans like the Volvo C40, BMW X3, and Audi Q5.
With great looks, a luxury interior and that great Mazda driving feel, the 2024 Mazda CX-50 is our favorite small crossover/SUV!
Ben Lewis grew up in Chicago, and after spending his formative years driving sideways in the winter – often intentionally – moved to sunny Southern California. He now enjoys sunny weather year-round — whether it is autocross driving, aerobatics, and learning to surf.