The 2023 Mazda CX-50, positioned below the upcoming CX-70 and CX90, will be the first model produced at the shared Mazda Toyota factory in Huntsville, Alabama. Arguably the toughest-looking SUV to emerge from the Hiroshima brand, the all-new Mazda CX-50 is available in a spectrum of trim levels and starts at $28,025.
Mazda’s newest compact crossover, designed with exploration in mind and aimed at off-road enthusiasts, offers two powertrain options. CX-50s employing the 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four develop 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque when fueled with 93-octane grade gasoline. (Lesser fuels generate 227 hp and 310 lb-ft.) Non-turbo models come powered by a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine rated at 187 hp and 186 lb-ft. All CX-50 models feature a six-speed automatic transmission, and yes, these offering shade those of the current CX-5.
While all-wheel drive is standard across the range, the new Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive), featuring Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing modes, is fully accessible on select trims. More specifically, Towing mode is exclusive on all three CX-50 Turbo variants, which can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
The base 2.5 S comes outfitted with 17-inch gray metallic wheels, dual exhaust outlets, a rear roof spoiler, and color-matching mirror caps. Standard equipment inside includes an 8.8-inch touchscreen, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an eight-speaker sound system. It can tow up to 2,000 pounds, and with a starting price below $29,000, this entry-level trim is your cheapest ticket into a CX-50.
Making safety a top priority, Mazda offers blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and driver attention alert standard on all CX-50 models. Advanced smart city brake support with pedestrian detection (automated emergency braking) and a lane departure warning system are also standard.
A few notches up from the 2.5 S, the Preferred Plus has an MSRP of $30,725 and adds a power-sliding panoramic moonroof, a first for Mazda. If you want the 12-speaker Bose audio system, terracotta leather interior, ventilated front seats, head-up display, and 20-inch wheels, you’ll have to fork over $37,625 for the Premium Plus. The entry Turbo upgrades to the more powerful engine and costs as much as the Premium Plus. It adds manual-mode paddle shifters, larger exhaust pipes, adaptive headlights with auto-leveling, LED taillights, and unique Turbo badging.
At the top of the range, the Turbo Premium Plus carries a $42,775 price tag and gains heated rear seats, a wireless phone charger, and a frameless rearview mirror with auto-dimming. Additional tech includes navigation and a windshield-projected active driving display with traffic sign recognition. Again, the idea here is to push Mazda further upmarket, and so pricing that tacks a few thousand over and above the MSRPs of equivalent CX-5s makes sense. Whereas the CX-5, even fully loaded, largely represented a deal in the segment, hovering in the mid-$30,000 range, the CX-50 pushing forty grand isn’t unheard of for a mainstream compact SUV. Nicer versions of the GMC Terrain, Toyota RAV4, and others already reach into the low-$40,000 space in top trims.
Not yet available but coming to market later this year, the Turbo Meridian Edition has a more aggressive appearance and pushes a little harder on the off-roading spirit button. Inspired by the outdoors, it features exclusive 18-inch wheels in all-terrain tires, an array of accessories, distinctive hood graphics, and side rocker moldings.
The CX-50 will arrive in showrooms beginning in spring.
2023 Mazda CX-50 Pricing
- 2.5 S: $28,025
- Select: $29,425
- Preferred: $30,725
- Preferred Plus: $33,165
- Premium: $35,625
- Premium Plus: $37,625
- Turbo: $37,625
- Turbo Premium: $40,775
- Turbo Premium Plus: $42,775
Keyword: 2023 Mazda CX-50 Pricing Showcases Brand's Push Upmarket