2023 Ford Bronco vs 2024 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Ford Bronco was a standout with its retro-cool styling and modern engineering, offered in nine distinct trim levels. Its blocky, upright shape, wide horizontal grille, and big round headlights were unmistakable, even from afar. The Base trim had a primitive charm with steel wheels and minimal adornment, while the Raptor trim boasted a wide stance, elevated height, and massive tires. The Heritage Edition trim evoked nostalgia with a white grille, roof, and wheels, and unique plaid seat upholstery. The Bronco's rugged interior featured a broad dash, sealed switches, and waterproof marine-grade vinyl upholstery, making it easy to clean after off-road adventures. Despite some creaking over bumps, it was quieter than a Jeep Wrangler, emphasizing durability over luxury.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50, a more rugged counterpart to the CX-5, was lower, wider, and longer, with a stretched wheelbase. Its broad-shouldered proportions were highlighted by square wheel arches and fake air vents. Available in three trims—GS-L, GT, and Meridian Edition—the CX-50 offered a fresh design. The Meridian Edition enhanced its active-lifestyle image with all-terrain tires, a black hood graphic, and pronounced rocker-panel trim. The interior featured a pleasing design with a BMW-like infotainment screen, impressive material quality, and minimal piano black plastic trim. However, Mazda's aspirations for an upscale brand were still a work in progress, with standard half-leatherette seats and a manually adjustable passenger seat in base models.

The 2023 Ford Bronco offered three engine choices: a 2.3-litre four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, a twin-turbo 2.7-litre V6 with 330 hp and 415 lb-ft, and a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 in the Raptor with 418 hp and 440 lb-ft. All models featured a four-wheel drive drivetrain and a two-speed transfer case. The base engine was adequate for most adventures, while the Raptor's EcoBoost engine provided exhilarating power. The Bronco's ride quality was bouncier than a typical SUV but more stable than a Jeep Wrangler. Despite its high-riding dimensions, the Bronco felt confident on curving roads, and maneuvering the four-door model was less stressful than expected.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, with turbocharging on higher trims. The base engine produced 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, while the turbo engine offered 256 hp and 320 lb-ft on 93-octane gasoline. A six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive were standard, with Normal, Sport, and Off-road driving modes. Turbo models included a Towing mode, increasing towing capacity to 1,587 kilograms. The CX-50 shared powertrains with the CX-5 but offered a different driving experience, focusing more on daily driving than sporty dynamics. The Meridian Edition's all-terrain tires added noise and limited grip, while the roof platform contributed to wind noise at highway speeds.

The 2023 Ford Bronco's boxy shape provided ample interior space, with the four-door model offering easier access to rear seats. Up front, there were numerous storage options, including netted door pockets and a rubberized tray. The two-door Bronco had up to 634 litres of cargo space, while the four-door offered up to 1,008 litres. However, the rear seats didn't fold flat, creating a step-up that hindered sliding longer cargo. The Bronco's fenders and doors were easily removable, catering to hardcore off-roaders.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 offered similar passenger space to the CX-5, with slightly less headroom and more legroom. It provided 889 litres of cargo space with rear seats up and 1,595 litres with them folded. While trailing competitors in cargo space, the CX-50 had a power liftgate for easier access. The interior featured a sensible layout with adequate storage, despite the substantial shifter and rotary infotainment controller on the centre console.

The 2023 Ford Bronco integrated technology to enhance off-road capabilities with G.O.A.T. drive modes, optimizing engine and suspension settings for various terrains. Numerous camera views and the Trail Turn Assist feature aided in navigating tight spaces. The Bronco also offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Ford’s SYNC 4, and FordPass Connect. Most models came with an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 12-inch display available.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 featured a 10.25-inch infotainment screen controlled by a rotary controller and buttons. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with higher trims offering wireless phone charging and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The touchscreen-free interface required adjustment but provided physical feedback. The infotainment system felt dated, with basic functions and plain graphics, appealing to buyers seeking simplicity.

The 2023 Ford Bronco received partial NHTSA crash test results, with four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection. The IIHS awarded the four-door Bronco a "Good" score in most crashworthiness tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and hill-start assist. Optional packages added features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 was named a 2023 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention tech. It received a five-star frontal crash-test rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included emergency lane-keeping and a 360-degree camera system.