Mazda CX-50 roller and slip test: Mi-Drive Off-Road to the rescue!

MAZDA CX-50 AWD roller and slip test note: The CX-50 will need the more aggressive Mi-Drive Off-road mode to escape some slippery situations! There is no need to use the TCS OFF unless you want way more momentum, but here we want to preserve our rollers! Off-road mode is impressive, but we got mixed-up results on those 3-wheel slip tests. Even an AWD warning. Some systems are least resistant to heat and fall into "safe" mode early. Mazda has a good AWD system, but if it tries too much will disconnect, but the CX-50 will try more than the others like the CX-5, Cx-3, and CX-9.

Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) : Mi-Drive offers three modes that drivers can choose based on the driving situation. The Mi-Drive system adds OFFROAD, which supports driving on different road surfaces in outdoor settings, and TOWING (SKYACTIV-G 2.5L W/ TURBO vehicles only) driving modes in addition to NORMAL and SPORT modes previously available on Drive Selection for SUV vehicles.

Chapters:
0:00 Mazda CX-50 AWD roller and slip test
0:04 1 wheel slip test
0:20 2-wheel slip test
0:34 Mi-Drive Off-Road
0:36 2-wheel slip test
1:30 AWD diagonal test
2:07 3-wheel slip test

Switching to Offroad mode optimizes control characteristics for off-road driving as follows:

1. High-traction all-wheel drive (AWD)

Offroad mode improves traction by maximizing torque distribution to the AWD rear wheels across all vehicle speed ranges. At low speeds, this achieves greater drivability and escapability on poor road surfaces, and at high speeds, it offers handling characteristics with an emphasis on stability.

2. A sense of the tires gripping the ground that offers peace of mind created by optimizing the G-Vectoring Control (GVC) system for off-roading

Optimized for slippery off-road conditions, GVC offers significantly improved tire grip­ something that gives drivers greater peace of mind. This reduces cornering resistance and instability on rough roads.

3. Smooth traction control (TCS) for excellent traction

The offroad mode also optimizes Mazda TCS for off-road conditions. This system coordinates control of the brakes and engine torque to maximize traction, ensuring the driving force is transmitted to each wheel-ground contact point correctly even when the tires are spinning. This offers excellent drivability that is stress-free.

4. Idling control that maximizes climbing capability

When hill starting on a steep incline, the system detects the road surface gradient and automatically increases creep torque by raising the engine idling speed. This prevents the car from rolling backward and supports a more powerful starting acceleration. Additionally, when driving off-camber (when approaching a slope on an angle), the system detects and makes calculations based on the steering angle and body tilt and determines whether the direction of travel is uphill or downhill. When climbing, idling control raises the idling speed to increase starting torque and when descending, lowers the idling speed to make it easier for the driver to adjust the vehicle speed.

5. Automatic transmission control that transmits torque smoothly and continuously. even on rough roads

We increased abundant driving force during continuous low-speed travel by raising the upshift point on the automatic transmission, as well as optimizing torque converter control for off-roading. The resulting smoother and more continuous torque transmission delivers good climbing capability.

Model Tested: Mazda CX-50 GT with 2.5 T Twin-Scroll Turbocharger engine Starting at $42,850

Base model: Mazda CX-50 GS-L Starting at $37,900

Competition in compact crossover / SUVs segment: Hyundai Tucson | Mazda Cx-5 | Mazda CX-50 | Honda CR-V | Kia Sportage | Ford Bronco Sport | Subaru Forester | Nissan Rogue | Toyota RAV4 | Volkswagen Tiguan | Chevrolet Equinox | Jeep Cherokee | Jeep Wrangler | GMC Terrain | Jeep Compass | Ford Bronco | Ford Escape | Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross | Mitsubishi Outlander

Mazda CX-50 awd diagonal test:

Mazda CX-50 Offroad mode ( mi-drive ) | Diagonal AWD test with snow

#cx50
#mazdacx50
#mazda
#mazdacanada
#mazdausa
#carreview
#Carquestion

[CarQuestion]

MAZDA CX-50 AWD roller and slip test note: The CX-50 will need the more aggressive Mi-Drive Off-road mode to escape some slippery situations! There is no need to use the TCS OFF unless you want way more momentum, but here we want to preserve our rollers! Off-road mode is impressive, but we got mixed-up results on those 3-wheel slip tests. Even an AWD warning. Some systems are least resistant to heat and fall into "safe" mode early. Mazda has a good AWD system, but if it tries too much will disconnect, but the CX-50 will try more than the others like the CX-5, Cx-3, and CX-9.

[argentowi]

For what it cost is really good. Off course you won't climb rocks, but snow, sand or light offroad is perfect.

[bt]

Very surprising as previous Mazda tests with off road mode did well. I didn’t see the failing conditions tested with TCS off. In those previous Mazdas, that truly unlocked better performance.

[dfl]

With Subaru’s unreliable CVT, I will take the 6-speed, better looks and handling.

[lewisbrazil]

3 wheel test takes all weight off the 1 not on a roller, if you shim would have gotten a different result. Unless you think the cx-50 is suppose to rock climb.

[fabulousprofound]

Can some of the test shown be used? It looked like the vehicle had slipped off the side of the rollers and gripped on to the roller frame…

[bjornegan]

Bummer to see this also fail the 3 wheel test. May I ask what AWD vehicles have passed the 3 wheel tests, especially ones that did not have a warning light turn on?

[tjp]

Love the looks of it but it’s no Subaru Outback when it comes to AWD performance.

[ontarioman]

More sporty and seems better than Subaru

[girlperson]

What's all that stuff dripping from the mid-section of the bottom of the car????

[michaelc]

3:51 Based on the performance, Mazda CX5 wins.

[euroimports]

What's the crozztek do a roller test it's a 100 times worse so shut up subaru guys. I have a wrx but this is way better.

[JRs-guitars]

Mazda makes great sports cars but that's about it. Have you guys checked out the new TrailSport trims from Honda yet? They upped their game for off roading to compete with Subaru.

[raptorslam]

Great performance although it is not the Meridian trim which is the real off road and the competitor to Subaru wildness.

[SoMuchSoy]

👎 awd system 🤢
But a lot better than the RAV4🤮

[priyankukashyap]

Not good at transferring powers between wheels