2023 Jeep Wrangler vs 2023 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 presented a striking design with its blunt nose, elongated hood, and rakish windshield, all contributing to a sleek and seductive appearance. The cabin, positioned towards the rear wheels, added to its allure, a characteristic trait of Mazda's vehicles over the past decade. However, the CX-50 also embraced a rugged persona with its pronounced fender swells, bold lower body cladding, and faux skid plates, which were common among crossovers mimicking SUVs. The oversized air intake and vent designs suggested performance without being visually overwhelming. When combined with the standard black grille, mirror caps, and optional 20-inch alloy wheels, these elements created an appealing exterior. Later in the year, the CX-50 Meridian Edition was introduced, featuring exclusive wheels, all-terrain tires, splash guards, and a roof-mounted load platform suitable for a rooftop tent.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Wrangler maintained its iconic, rugged design with a boxy silhouette reminiscent of a brick. The fourth-generation JL Wrangler offered both two-door and four-door Unlimited versions, with the option to remove the doors for an open-air experience. For those seeking a balance between exposure and safety, the Dual-Door Group provided half doors. The Wrangler's windshield could fold down, and various top options allowed for open-air exploration. Standard features included wide fenders, Jeep's signature seven-slot grille, round headlights, and traditional hood latches. The tailgate swung out, and the rear glass lifted for easy cargo access. The limited-edition "Reign" purple paint added a unique flair, while the new "Earl" colour introduced a subtle aquamarine tint to the grey shade. Inside, the Wrangler prioritized practicality with easy-to-clean floor mats and seats, a body-coloured dash, and chunky controls, though it lacked ambient lighting and luxury features.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered two engine options. The base GT model featured a 187 hp Skyactiv 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 186 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. It delivered fuel efficiency of 9.7 L/100 km in the city, 7.9 on the highway, and 8.9 combined. For those seeking more power, the CX-50 GT Turbo trim boasted a turbocharged version of the same engine, producing between 227 hp and 256 hp, depending on the fuel type. Torque ranged from 310 lb-ft on 87-octane gas to 320 lb-ft on 93-octane fuel. The turbo engine improved towing capacity from 2,000 to 3,500 pounds. The CX-50's driving experience was smooth, with minimal turbo lag and a deliberate power build. Its Mi-Drive system offered Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing modes, though the differences were subtle. The CX-50's ride was slightly firmer than the CX-5, and it exhibited some torque steer during tight turns. Despite its SUV classification, the CX-50 felt more like a sporty wagon on the road, with a ground clearance of 21.8 cm, making it capable of light off-roading.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler excelled in off-road performance, thanks to its solid axles and optional differential lockers. It offered a range of engine options, including the standard Pentastar V6 with 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, and a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were available with an eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. The 3.0-litre Ecodiesel V6 provided 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque, while the Rubicon 392 featured a 6.4-litre V8 with 470 hp and torque. The Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid combined two electric motors with a 17.3-kWh battery for 35 km of electric range. Our test vehicle, the Rubicon 392, delivered exhilarating performance, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in about 4.5 seconds. It featured a Selec-Trac 4x4 system with a 2.72 low range, while the Xtreme Recon package increased the crawl ratio to 58:1. However, the 392's brakes and steering were less refined, with vague steering and inadequate braking power. Other Wrangler models had better-suited brakes and steering.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 GT Turbo was well-equipped for winter with heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, side mirrors, and windshield wipers. Ventilated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control ensured comfort in warmer weather. The front seats were comfortable for long drives, though additional side bolstering would have been beneficial. The rear seat offered ample space for adults, with rear air vents and charging ports. The rear doors opened wide, facilitating easy entry and exit. While storage space was adequate, Mazda missed opportunities for additional storage bins. The power rear liftgate revealed 889 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,595 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler's front seats were comfortable, but heated seats were only available on select models or with a cold-weather package. Ventilated seats were not offered. The rear seat could accommodate three passengers in the four-door models, though space was tight. The small rear doors made entry and exit challenging. Storage for small items was limited, with a flat dash lacking cubbies and small glove box and centre consoles. The Wrangler offered 2,050 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded, slightly less than the Bronco. The hard top could be removed in one piece or in sections, while the soft top was easy to remove but cumbersome in cold weather. The Sky One-Touch power soft top provided quick open-air access. The Wrangler featured ample charging points, including USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, and a 115-volt outlet.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 came with a Mazda Connect infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Mazda Connected Services. In Canada, a 10.25-inch display was standard. Historically, Mazda Connect lacked touchscreen control, relying on centre console buttons, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. However, the 2023 CX-50 introduced touchscreen control for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The available 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system provided a satisfying audio experience. An Active Driving Display projected data within the driver's line of sight, including blind-spot warnings.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen with Uconnect, while our tester had the larger 8.4-inch screen. Uconnect initially appeared complex but was intuitive once familiar. It included off-road pages with detailed information and supported Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Wrangler offered practical tech features like a forward-facing camera and auxiliary switches for aftermarket accessories. However, it lacked advanced features like a digital key, and over-the-air updates were limited to the Uconnect system.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though it fell short of the Top Safety Pick+ due to headlight configurations and night-time pedestrian collision avoidance. The NHTSA had not rated the CX-50. Mazda provided a comprehensive standard package of driving assistance systems, with upgrades available on higher trims. Standard features included active blind-spot monitoring, while exclusive features like Traffic Jam Assist, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera were available. The driving assistance systems generally performed well, though the adaptive cruise control occasionally failed to recognize slower vehicles cutting in.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler's safety features were limited, with only a rearview camera, electronic roll mitigation, and stability control standard across all models. Blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control were standard on top trims or part of an option package. Lane-keeping assist was not offered. The IIHS ratings for the Wrangler were mixed, with some trims receiving Poor headlight ratings. The NHTSA awarded the Wrangler four stars for frontal crash tests and three stars for rollover, with no side crash rating available.