2024 Mazda CX-50 Review // Now Better than the CX-5 Older Brother?

#Mazda #zoomzoom #cx50 #cx5 #turbo

What is it like to drive the 2024 Mazda CX-50 at night? Is it better than the imported CX-5 brother from Japan? I give my driving impressions here.

Mazda CX-50 2.5 S Select starting MSRP is $30,3001
Mazda CX-50 2.5 Turbo starts at $38,000
Improved passenger comfort and conveniences among updates for 2024
Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today announces pricing for the 2024 Mazda CX-50. This rugged and capable crossover SUV is purpose built for the active lifestyles of North Americans. It combines superior on-road driving dynamics and sophisticated design, a signature of any Mazda vehicle, while enabling drivers to venture further into the outdoors and off road. CX-50 receives a few updates for 2024, all in line with Mazda’s goals of encouraging more all-terrain adventures. This includes new dampers and a recalibrated electric power-assist steering (EPAS) system2.

The CX-50 is available in eight 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 in CX-50 2.5 S models, or a Skyactiv-G 2.5L Turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium 93 octane gas, 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on regular 87 octane gas in CX-50 2.5 Turbo models. Both engines are mated to a Skyactiv-Drive six-speed automatic transmission. The CX-50 comes standard with i-Activ All-Wheel Drive (AWD) technology and Mazda Intelligent Drive Select, or Mi-Drive with Sport and Off-Road modes as well as an available Towing mode 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, or while towing up to 3,500 pounds on select packages3.

00:00 - Exterior
03:14 - Powertrain
03:46 - Cargo
04:39 - Backseat
05:50 - Frontseat
09:33 - Night Driving Impressions
17:49 - Conclusion

[Ashlitaaaa]

The cx-5 is an amazing vehicle. It literally saved my brothers life. He got into an accident where the car rolled and every side of the vehicle touched the ground. He walked out without a scratch I will forever be grateful that accident happened in that car

[Ryan-cflc]

I will definitely smash the like button for any one who gets up at 4 AM to make a car review!

[ericschmitz]

Kirk: Love your reviews...my experience supports you experience and recommendation here. Special ordered/purchased a 2024 CX5 Turbo preferred a few months ago (wife's car). My wife absolutely loves it and it drives and SHIFTS GREAT. For the past few months, the local dealership has been generously allowing me to drive many 2024 samples of both CX5 and CX50 (turbo and non turbo). To me every transmission seems to perform differently - CX5 non turbo transmission can shift crisply or not (drove one that I felt was defective and reported it as such). Same with the CX50 - a few weeks ago, drove a both a 2024 CX50 NA and a 2024 CX50 Turbo that both SHIFTED and drove GREAT. This week I test drove a different new 2024 NA CX50...felt slight vibration in the steering wheel when backing of the accelerator - vibration lasted only about 1 sec but was concerning ... Don't know what is going on, didn't happen every time and less than 10 miles on it...however this engine and transmission sounded louder and "whinier" than other 2.5 NAs...reported the vibration.  Lesson: carefully test drive the actual CX5/CX50 you are considering before you buy - when that 6 speed transmission is good, it is very, good...however, they are not all the same...

[sgt.pepper]

I've had the 2023 Meridian Edition since April of last year. I absolutely love everything about this vehicle. The ride quality is phenomenal--it matches European luxury sedans that cost double the price. It's just a solid vehicle and one feels it all around from shutting the doors to driving on an off road. If I had to do it again, I would buy it--although, the cx-70 would be a consideration.

LOL. You had me when you pointed out that the back door had hard plastic and not soft-touch panels. I swore my vehicle had soft touch panels, so went out to the garage to check. Sure enough, the back door had the hard plastic; however, the front door panels are soft touch. I had never noticed, especially with how i take care of this vehicle inside and out.

thanks for a great review. be well.

[seanthompson]

Hard to beat Mazda styling for the past several years.

[justenn]

protip: to go between mazda infotainment and your carplay/android auto hold down the home button. same goes with most of the other buttons. quick press will move you around your current system, long press moves you back to mazda. except favorites thats usually quick jump to your favorite radio stations.

[azuproduces]

7:34 You can actually hold the home button down for about 3 seconds and it will go back to the Mazda home screen, you can hold it again to switch between Mazda and Carplay/Android Auto

[anhuynh]

I prefer the look on the 50 vs the 5, thanks for the review!

[RichardRich-jpxf]

Love my CX50 can't say i agree with your take on it, for me it has more room than the CX5, and i prefer the styling, also no issues with the performance with my CX50 it goes.

[kdomster]

If tranny fluid level is too high it does feel sluggish and heavy in it's reflexes .
Also Im a huge fan of Lubegard Platinum additive and it works wonders on many automatics including this one on Mazda .
Process takes 20 minutes and all done from under the hood it transforms the quickness and smoothness also reduces drivetrain noise, reduces power loss that torque converter is known for due to reduced friction what can lower the max tranny temp by 20F ! Have been using it on all my vehicles since 2002 Protege5 and every time I drive a Mazda without it I can feel its absence immediately.
Than comes engine oil level and if engine is overfilled or even filled to the max it makes it rev and respond slower and more lethargic .
To me CX50 is build for US market and is build cheaper more to price point what is not reflected in it's MSRP.
CX50 as is now feels cheaper, louder and less premium than CX-5, CX50 should be 3K less expensive in comparison to CX-5 or CX50 should get better noise isolation, better interior finish not to mention IRS .
CX50 Premium trim comes with cloth seats, balloon like 65 profile tired on 17" rims, with torsion beam suspension with 4 cyl 190hp engine for 36K !!! While in such trim it should cost 31K !
CX50 turbo should cost 35K not 39K !
To me CX30 feels like a nicer overall product to CX50 .
I'm a Mazda fan saying that

[dorfus]

We've had one of these for about a year now- my only real complaint about the HVAC system is that the AC indicator light is blocked from both my eyeline and my wife's eyeline by the knob above it. Odd that they put the LED there- otherwise it has held up extremely well and a year later we're very happy with it. I will say that it doesn't take much ice up here in the Northeast to keep the rear view mirrors from actuating, but I don't think that'd be an issue for anyone in a warmer climate.

[ChrisDIYerOklahoma]

Solid review. I have the 2024 Mazda CX-50 Turbo PP . I put 91 octane (non ethanol) in it with some Lucas octane booster (up to 3 points bump). So, around 94 octane. Anyways, it really made the car more perky and punchier. Hammer it on the highway...I can really feel the difference between 87 and 94 octane. It literally pushes you back hard in the seat. The #1 thing I am disappointed with the car is the stock 20" wheels and junk Goodyears. Way too noisy at highway speeds and hard (tires are adjusted to spec). My CX-50 has the softer dampers and revised steering (both excellent)...but, the tires are not in line with a premium driving experience. I drove one without the improvements and it was harsher riding and had too much steering wheel effort. The newest ones with the updates are more cushy and softer all around. I wish Mazda would have offered 18" all black wheels as an option vs 20" .

[seanc]

Kirk: Thanks for the awesome reviews, they are very genuine! Mazda has come along way from where they uses to be :) I wanted to point out... When using Apple Car Play or Android Auto, by holding down the Home button by the rotary dial. It will switch between the Mazda infotainment / Apple Car Play or Android Auto.

[ryanpatterson]

I prefer the seating position of the CX-5. You sit higher and have a more commanding view (like a Range Rover). The CX-50 feels like you's sitting in a low sporty coupe.

[dc]

Really appreciate the night review. Love your honesty. I like the beefiness of the CX50 but I want all the poshiness. 😣 i was looking forward to the CX-70 but after seeing it being the same size as the 90 I’m disappointed. Thanks again for the night review.

[ZeusMerk]

I have a 2017 CX5 and a 2023 Mazda 3. Both non turbo and I definitely get what you’re saying with the power delivery. Cx5 is super responsive changing gears while the 3 kinda stalls and is t as smooth. I put a K&N air filter on the 3 and the response improved along with MPG.

[eleanormassaro]

Yes, the non-turbo is pretty adequate. I just had to learn to get more heavy footed with it coming from a 275 hp V6 from my previous car.

[CensorMeNot-dvlg]

I'm here for the towing, the torque converter (real) transmission, the support of American workers, (I'm in Canada), Mazda reliability and own experience with the company. My father bought a B2200 truck in '88 and I bought a brand new 6 in '17... it's been a good life over here👍 THANK YOU, MAZDA! Also, great review, Kirk. Keep on giviner'

[TurkeyBaconSandwicher]

I own a ‘21 Touring CX-5 and I love it, but man I do love the styling on the 50.

[drlle_]

I have a 18 Cx-5 touring 2.5 and upgraded for a 2024 Cx-5 premium 2.5. The are pros and cons the pros outed the cons. My 18 Touring on 18 in rims was nice but doesn’t feel at planted at hwy speeds the CX-5 sways when near a semi. Cx-5 get better gas mileage FWD vs AWD. I have more usable space in the CX-50 and the door open wider. I have more headroom in the 5 but more thigh and leg support in the 50. The 50 information is better and I also have less shiny black plastic. In 5 years I put 87k on my CX5 and is still driven weekly by my nephew. I like the steering the 50 more it’s not a loose/flimsy. I haven’t notice the torsion beam vs the independent rear, but I have notice the awd. The Cx50 wins in seat confirm but I miss 40/20/40 rear seats. These two are very comparable you can’t go wrong with the either