2023 Volvo XC40 vs 2023 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 showcased a design that was both familiar and fresh. Its styling was characterized by a blunt nose, long hood, and a rakish windshield, with the cabin positioned towards the rear wheels, exuding a subtle seductiveness typical of Mazda's vehicles over the past decade. However, the CX-50 introduced a rugged appeal with its blistered and boxed fender swells, bold lower body cladding, and faux skid plates. The oversized air intake and vent designs added a performance edge without being visually offensive. The combination of a standard black grille, mirror caps, and available 20-inch alloy wheels created an appealing exterior. The introduction of the CX-50 Meridian Edition later in the model year brought exclusive wheels, all-terrain tires, splash guards, and a roof-mounted load platform, enhancing its adventurous persona.

Inside, the Mazda CX-50 continued the automaker's tradition of driver-focused design, featuring a mix of analog and digital gauges, quality materials, and polished metallic trim. The interior was dressed in black leather with caramel-coloured accent stitching, offering a sophisticated look. Vertical air vents framed the instrument cluster, although the lone off-centre vent on the dashboard seemed out of place. Despite this, the CX-50's interior was well-received, with a terracotta upholstery option available on higher trims. Overall, the CX-50 presented itself as a good-looking compact crossover, both inside and out.

The 2023 Volvo XC40 maintained its distinctive presence, combining Volvo's design language with a flat-roofed profile that emphasized its SUV-like stance. The exterior was clean and devoid of unnecessary detailing, with hidden tailpipes on gasoline models aligning with Volvo's electrification goals. For 2023, updates included pixelated "Thor’s Hammer" headlights, a more angular front bumper, and new wheel designs. The XC40 Recharge was easily identifiable by its sealed-off grille. Sharing the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform with the C40 Recharge and Polestar 2, the XC40 was the only CMA-based model in North America available with a combustion engine.

Inside, the XC40's minimalist design featured thin air vents framing the central touchscreen and scalloped elements for door handles and speaker grilles. Standard dual-zone automatic climate control and optional air purifier added to the comfort. Leather upholstery was available, with vegan leather for Recharge models. Our test vehicle, the XC40 Ultimate, included a panoramic moonroof and an Orrefors crystal shift knob, though the all-black interior felt more utilitarian. Despite this, the fit and finish were commendable, reminding us of the XC40's entry-level status in Volvo's lineup.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered two engine options, with most buyers likely opting for the more affordable and fuel-efficient GT model. This version featured a 187 hp Skyactiv 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 186 lb-ft of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels. Fuel consumption was rated at 9.7 L/100 km 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 was available, boasting a turbocharged version of the standard engine. This turbo engine produced between 227 hp and 256 hp, depending on the fuel type, with torque ranging from 310 lb-ft to 320 lb-ft. Official fuel economy figures for the turbo model were 10.4 L/100 km city, 8.1 highway, and 9.4 combined, though our test averaged 10.1 L/100 km.

The CX-50 Turbo provided smooth acceleration across a broad power curve, with no noticeable turbo lag. Mazda's Mi-Drive modes and G-Vectoring Control technology ensured natural vehicle behaviour, though the differences between drive modes were subtle. The CX-50's ride quality was slightly firmer compared to the 2022 CX-5, aligning with its adventurous positioning. Despite a hint of torque steer in tight turns, the CX-50 felt more like a modern Mazda6 station wagon with a Subaru Outback treatment. With up to 21.8 cm of ground clearance, it was capable off-road, though lacking a downhill assist control system. The Meridian Edition's all-terrain tires added off-road capability, but it couldn't match the Subaru Wilderness models on challenging terrain. The CX-50 Turbo's towing capacity was tested with a 3,500-pound trailer, performing well on flat highways but potentially struggling on mountain grades.

The 2023 Volvo XC40 introduced mild-hybrid powertrains, featuring a 48-volt electrical system and a 13-horsepower integrated starter generator. This system assisted the gasoline engine, improving fuel economy and smoothing power delivery. The B5 models in Canada were equipped with a 2.0-litre turbo-four-cylinder engine, producing 247 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Volvo claimed a 0-60 mph time of 6.1 seconds for the B5 models, surpassing the Audi Q3. Our B5 test car felt quick, though the accelerator pedal required extra pressure for smooth starts. The combination of electric assist and turbo boost provided ample power, with a top speed electronically limited to 180 km/h for safety.

The XC40's refinement stood out, handling corners with composure and absorbing bumps like a more expensive vehicle. While not sporty, its chassis tuning offered a calm driving experience, elevating it above mainstream competitors. The XC40 Recharge added more power, with two electric motors producing 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds and a 359-kilometre range. The Recharge also had a higher towing capacity of 2,000 kg compared to the B5 AWD model's 1,587 kg.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 GT Turbo was well-equipped for winter with 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 comfort in warmer weather. The driver and front passenger seats were comfortable for long drives, though more side bolstering would have been beneficial. The back seat offered ample space for adults, with rear air vents and charging ports on most trims. Rear doors opened nearly 90 degrees, facilitating easy entry and exit.

Storage space in the CX-50 was adequate, though there were missed opportunities for additional storage bins. Existing storage spots filled quickly with everyday items. The available smartphone charger had a convenient slot under the centre armrest. The power rear liftgate revealed 889 litres of cargo space, slightly more than the CX-5. The CX-50's long load floor was narrow between the wheel wells, with side bins and hooks for securing items. Maximum cargo space was 1,595 litres, slightly less than the CX-5 due to the CX-50's lower roofline.

The 2023 Volvo XC40, while marketed as an SUV, was better suited for solo commuting than carpooling. Among its competitors, the XC40 offered reasonable space, tying with the BMW X1 for rear-seat headroom and slightly trailing the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class in front-seat headroom. Legroom was average, but generous shoulder room enhanced the feeling of spaciousness, making the second-row middle seat more usable.

Volvo listed 566 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 1,328 litres with the seats folded, less than the BMW X1 and Audi Q3. A power tailgate and keyless entry were standard. The XC40 excelled in interior storage, with scalloped door panels creating large carve-outs for bottles or handbags. The centre console storage bin and phone tray were also spacious, considering the interior's dimensions.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless 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, though the screen's distant placement remained a challenge. The available 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system delivered a satisfying audio experience. An Active Driving Display, or head-up display, projected data within the driver's line of sight, including blind-spot warnings.

For 2023, the Volvo XC40 gasoline models adopted the Android-based infotainment system from the XC40 Recharge. This system used Google apps, with Google Maps for navigation and Google Assistant for voice recognition. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 9-inch touchscreen were standard, with a 13-speaker Harman Kardon audio system available on the Ultimate trim. The infotainment experience was similar to other Volvo models with the Android system, though Apple users might find less satisfaction. Volvo's minimalist design meant a lack of analog controls, with most functions accessed through the touchscreen.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), falling short of the Top Safety Pick+ due to some headlight configurations and less-than-stellar results in night-time pedestrian collision avoidance and the updated side crash test. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not rated the CX-50 at the time of writing. Mazda provided a comprehensive standard package of driving assistance systems, with most features standard except for a few upgrades on higher trims. The CX-50's driving assistance systems generally performed well, though the adaptive cruise control occasionally failed to recognize slower vehicles cutting in, requiring manual braking.

Volvo's reputation for safety was evident in the XC40's standard features, including lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, Oncoming Lane Mitigation, traffic-sign recognition, rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. Upgrading to the Plus trim added front and side parking sensors and a 360-degree camera system, while the Ultimate trim included adaptive cruise control and Pilot Assist. The XC40 received top "Good" ratings in most IIHS crash tests, though it dropped to "Acceptable" in the updated side-impact test. The NHTSA awarded the gasoline XC40 a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and a four-star rollover rating.