Do I Love It? Former Mazda CX-5 Owner Reviews 2023 Mazda CX-50

As a former owner of a Mazda CX-5, I was pretty excited to review the 2023 Mazda CX-50 until I discovered a few things I simply don't like at all. Do you agree? Are they deal breakers?

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[jaylee]

I see a trend in car reviews where most cars are critiqued for what they aren't instead of appreciating them for what they are. I like the idea that it's like a wagon. Americans are grossly impractical with their vehicle choices overall. I like this way better than the "SUV" CX-5. My wife and I have driven all the Mazdas and this one is by far the one we like the most.

[stuartaaron]

I had two CX-5's, a 2018 AWD Touring and a 2020 FWD Touring (Both non-turbo). On November 28, 2022 I leased a 2023 CX-50 Preferred Plus (non-turbo). Overall I am very pleased with the CX-50, except for a few minor issues.

[spinedoc]

I've seen a few reviews that complain about price for the CX-50. I agree EVERY vehicle is overpriced now but the CX-50 is actually a pretty good value compared to its competition. Is there another SUV/crossover as good, as powerful and as nice as the CX-50 for less money?? I can't find a vehicle as nice for the same money let alone less.

[allspub]

My wife and I recently test drove a 2024 CX-50 and it did seem more like a sport wagon than an SUV to us as well. That wasn’t a bad thing, but it definitely didn’t have an SUV feel/vibe (you sit really low in it, much more like a car than an SUV and even though the vehicle itself has more ground clearance… as driver/passengers, you actually sit much closer to the ground than in a typical SUV). The seating height and the sport wagon aspect didn’t bother me per se (sport wagons can be fun)… but we were looking more for a compact SUV than a sport wagon this go round. We test drove a 2024 CX-5 as well (in the Carbon Edition trim—Polymetal Gray/red leather seats) and that’s what I bought. Had we gone into the dealership looking for a sport wagon the CX-50 would have probably fit the bill (and who knows, in a few years after the CX-50 matures a bit, we may well get one because we did like it, it just wasn’t what we was after at the time). This time though we were definitely shopping small SUVs and the CX-5 fit that bill better (and the Carbon Edition’s upscale interior just outclassed the CX-50’s kind of plain interior [and for only a little more money <ie, for the CE trim>]) tipping the scales in the CX-5’s favor.

[raymondnecci]

I heard the reason it is 2 inches lower was to allow easier loading on the roof (since they're pushing the "outdoors" idea where you might have a roof rack or storage up top)

[nomos]

CX5 is 72.6" wide vs CX50's 72.9", so CX50 is wider, longer, higher off the road, and 2" lower overall

[stuartaaron]

I believe that the CX-50 is aimed at the Subaru Outback market. Remember that the Outback is car based on the Subaru Legacy.

[ofcbob]

The vehicle does have nice large rear quarter windows, good for backing out of parking spaces (along with using the rear cross traffic alert and backup camera)

[stuartaaron]

The display is touch screen in Apple Car Play and Android Auto modes.

[erickisel]

@Pickup Truck plus SUV Talk: great review, thank you. Hoping that Mazda gets you a CX-90 to review soon. Keep up the good work.

[gregelguapo]

You are ignoring the Xtra features that it has that the cx5 doesn't

[spinedoc]

If you want to complain about price go look at a Mini Countryman. Never seen a more over priced over hyped vehicle in my life . The CX-50 is way nicer and 5k cheaper. BMW took what was born as one of the most affordable entry level cars and turned it into probably the most over priced car on the market. Maybe Hyundai will bring back the Pony and charge 50k for it!!

[manuelcarmona]

I was presented with both but in my opinion the 5 looks better and sits higher so I bought the 5

[MrDaveB]

Shorter for easier access to items on the roof, as its being marketed as a outdoor rec vehicle ?

[BigBadJohnDiesel]

Incorrect! The CX 50 is 3 inches wider than the CX 5. Are you measuring the interior or exterior width. I own both vehicles, I can tell the difference being in my garage. It is wider than a 5!

[gloryoh]

Does it not have the unlock/lock button on the doors anymore?

[rafars]

Limited demand can only make things cheaper. It is just a matter of time. And cars keep getting cheaper anyway.

[kickadamsass]

I really like that vehicle, But I too. Wish it was around 35/36 thousand, top of the line.

[donthesheek]

Get a Toyota rav 4 trd off road, I did after trading our cx5. Averages 23 mpg, plenty of power, comfortable and can come with a oem lift to accommodate a nice set of larger tires like the 245-60-18 Falken AT on factory black trd wheels.

[yournightmare]

For 43k you can go with well better build Japanese cx9 over usa cx50