2023 Mazda CX-5 vs 2023 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 showcased a design that was both familiar and fresh, with its blunt nose, long hood, and rakish windshield. The cabin, positioned towards the rear wheels, added to its seductive appeal, a hallmark of Mazda's design language over the past decade. However, the CX-50 introduced a ruggedness not seen before, with its blistered and boxed fender swells, bold lower body cladding, and faux skid plates. 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, the CX-50 presented an attractive 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.

Inside, the CX-50's interior was a blend of driver-focused design and quality materials. The test vehicle, a CX-50 GT Turbo Premium Plus, featured black leather with caramel-coloured stitching, round analog and digital gauges, and polished metallic trim. The vertical air vents flanking the instrument cluster and the lone off-centre vent on the dashboard were notable design choices. Despite these quirks, the CX-50's interior was visually appealing, with terracotta upholstery available on higher trims. The CX-50 was available in two versions: the GS-L and GT trims with a 187-horsepower 2.5-litre engine, and the GT Turbo and Meridian Edition with a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine producing up to 256 hp. Prices ranged from $38,250 to $48,200, excluding the $1,995 destination charge.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5, despite its age, remained a strong contender in the compact crossover SUV segment. Its stylish design and high-quality materials gave it a luxury feel, and the available turbocharged engine provided impressive power. The CX-5 was recognized as a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, further cementing its reputation. Mazda's decision to redesign and rename the CX-5 as the CX-50 was a strategic move, allowing for some overlap to ease the transition for loyal customers. The CX-5's appeal was not limited to its top-tier model; every version exuded quality and sophistication.

The CX-5 offered a choice between a standard 187-horsepower four-cylinder engine and a more powerful 256-hp turbocharged variant. The latter was available in the 2.5 Turbo Sport Design and 2.5 Turbo Signature trims, priced at $41,050 and $44,250, respectively, before destination charges. The Canadian lineup ranged from the GX at $31,250 to the GT at $39,850, with six versions available. The 2.5 Turbo Signature test vehicle featured Rhodium White metallic paint, Cocoa Brown Nappa leather upholstery, and a rear bumper guard, bringing its MSRP to $46,755, including the $1,995 destination charge. Despite its higher price, the CX-5 2.5 Turbo Signature was deemed worthy of its cost.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered two engine options, with most buyers likely opting for the more affordable GT model with its 187 hp Skyactiv 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine. This engine produced 186 lb-ft of torque and was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, delivering power to all four wheels. Fuel consumption was rated at 9.7 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 7.9 on the highway, and 8.9 combined. For those seeking more power and increased towing capacity, the CX-50 GT Turbo trim featured a turbocharged version of the same engine, producing between 227 hp and 256 hp depending on the fuel used. Torque ranged from 310 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm on regular gas to 320 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm on premium fuel. The turbocharged engine offered smooth acceleration and a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds. The CX-50's ride quality was slightly firmer than the CX-5, aligning with its rugged persona. Despite this, the CX-50 handled well on various terrains, with a ground clearance of up to 21.8 centimetres.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 also featured two engine options. The base model, equipped with a Skyactiv-G 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivered 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, achieving a combined fuel economy of 9.0 litres per 100 kilometres. The CX-5 2.5 Turbo's turbocharged engine offered 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular gas. This engine also used the same transmission and AWD system, with a combined fuel economy of 9.8 L/100 km. The CX-5's turbocharged engine provided a satisfying driving experience, with improved structural rigidity and suspension dampening enhancing its performance. The CX-5 excelled on winding roads, offering a firm and connected ride quality, complemented by responsive steering and brakes.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 GT Turbo was well-equipped for winter, featuring power-adjustable heated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, heated side mirrors, and heated windshield wipers. Ventilated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control added to its comfort. 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 available on most trims. The CX-50's rear doors opened to nearly a 90-degree angle, facilitating easy entry and exit. Cargo space was slightly larger than the CX-5, with 889 litres available behind the rear seats and a maximum of 1,595 litres with the seats folded. However, the load floor was narrow between the wheel wells.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 received updates to its front seats for improved comfort and support. All trims featured a height-adjustable driver's seat, with power adjustments available on higher trims. The Signature trim included Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Despite its luxurious interior, the CX-5's technology, storage space, and rear-seat room were lacking. The infotainment system lacked a conversational voice recognition system, and the control knob required memorization and focus. The CX-5's cargo space was 871 litres behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,680 litres with the seats folded, which was less than some rivals but more than several luxury models.

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

The 2023 Mazda CX-5's Mazda Connect system also featured a 10.25-inch display with sophisticated graphics and a logical menu structure. However, the system's physical controls were awkward to use, requiring memorization and focus. The control knob often required multiple twists and pushes to execute commands, making it less intuitive than a touchscreen. Despite these challenges, Mazda Connect offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year trial of Mazda Connected Services. Most CX-5s included SiriusXM, and upper trims featured a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The test vehicle also had a front-facing camera and a surround-view camera system for easier parking.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 was rated as a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, though it fell short of the Top Safety Pick+ designation due to some headlight configurations and night-time pedestrian collision avoidance results. The CX-50 included a comprehensive package of driving assistance systems, with features like active blind-spot monitoring, Traffic Jam Assist, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. However, the adaptive cruise control occasionally failed to recognize slower vehicles cutting into the gap ahead.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 excelled in safety, with most i-Activsense technology offered as standard equipment. Exclusive features on the 2.5 Turbo Signature included a surround-view camera system, parking sensors, and Traffic Jam Assist. The i-Activsense tech operated smoothly, with an Active Driving Display showing operational status and alerts. The CX-5 also featured an E911 system for automatic collision notification. The CX-5 received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick ranking from the IIHS, performing exceptionally well in crash tests.