Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.I've driven just about every version of the Mazda CX-50, including the naturally aspirated models, hybrids, turbocharged versions, the everyday driver trims, and the Meridian off-road (ish) package. As luck would have it, I drove CX-50s through snow, mud, rocks, and on some of the nicest (fun to drive) coastal roads as well. After all that time behind the wheel, I've come to a pretty simple conclusion: the CX-50 is one of the finest vehicles Mazda builds.MazdaThat's not an easy thing to accomplish.AdvertisementAdvertisementIt's extremely difficult to build a vehicle that works for almost everyone. You want comfort, performance, utility, fuel economy, technology and some personality, all without making the thing ridiculously expensive.The CX-50 comes surprisingly close.MazdaPower and PerformanceThe standard 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder makes 187 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque. It's perfectly adequate, and if your primary goal is commuting, it gets the job done.But if you're like me and actually enjoy driving, spend the extra money and get the turbo.The 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder in my Meridian tester produces 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque when running on premium fuel. It's paired with a six-speed automatic and Mazda's i-Activ all-wheel-drive system.AdvertisementAdvertisementMazda CX-50 Meridian Edition 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition gets an EPA-estimated 23 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. If you have a non-turbo 2.5 S Meridian Edition, it's rated at 24 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. So, you sacrifice a bit of mpg for power, but it's worth it.It is a hoot to drive.The turbocharged rush is addictive, yet the CX-50 remains remarkably planted and composed when you start pushing it through corners. That's one of the things Mazda does exceptionally well. The steering feels natural, the chassis communicates with you, and the suspension manages to balance comfort with genuine athleticism.My Meridian tester also wore Falken Wildpeak all-terrain tires, sized 225/60R18, wrapped around 18-inch black alloy wheels. They're designed to give the CX-50 some additional off-road capability without turning it into a lumber wagon on pavement.AdvertisementAdvertisementRelated: The Next Jeep Cherokee Will Arrive in 2029 With a Huge Job to DoThe Meridian also gets Mi-Drive modes for Normal, Sport, Off-Road and Towing, along with 8.5 inches of ground clearance and a 3,500-pound maximum towing capacity with the turbo engine.That's a pretty useful combination for a vehicle this size.Yes, it can do some light off-roading. The grip is great on loose dirt and mud. It doesn't articulate well, but most crossover SUVs have that same issue. It WILL keep up with any Subaru in its class in the dirt.MazdaA Cabin That Gets It RightI'm a big fan of Mazda interiors.Mazda has managed to create cabins that feel upscale without becoming ridiculous. There aren't screens covering every square inch of the dashboard, and you don't need a computer science degree to figure out where everything is.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe CX-50 has a 10.25-inch infotainment display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, dual-zone climate control, a wireless phone charger and a panoramic moonroof.The Meridian gets its own distinctive look, including Terracotta leather-trimmed seating and rugged interior accents. More importantly, it feels like a place designed for people.That's becoming increasingly important as manufacturers continue to equate "premium" with "bigger screen."MazdaView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleA Few ProblemsThe CX-50 isn't perfect.The infotainment system can take some getting used to. Once you understand how Mazda wants you to interact with it, it's fairly natural, but the learning curve is steeper than it should be.AdvertisementAdvertisementThen there's the wireless phone charger. It's terrible.In my tester, it would work for a few minutes and then seemingly decide it had done enough for the day. I've used enough wireless chargers in other vehicles to know the problem isn't my phone.The other thing I could live without is the factory roof-rack setup on the Meridian. It looks appropriate for the vehicle, but unless you're actually using it, you're adding aerodynamic drag, noise and potentially sacrificing a little fuel economy for something that's essentially decorative.It's a small complaint, but it's one of those things I notice.Jared Rosenholtz/AutoblogView the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleFinal ThoughtsThe 2026 Mazda CX-50 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition starts at just over $40,000, while choosing the naturally aspirated engine can save roughly $7,000. That's a significant chunk of money.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe naturally aspirated CX-50 still handles beautifully, rides well and offers plenty of capability. It's also pretty efficient. For many buyers, it's probably the smarter financial decision.But I'd spend the extra money.That's not something I say very often.The turbo transforms the CX-50 from a competent compact crossover into something genuinely entertaining. It has the power to match its excellent chassis, and that makes a huge difference.At the end of the day, I rate cars based on how they make me feel. How they respond. How they communicate with the driver. And most importantly, whether they're fun.AdvertisementAdvertisementRelated: I enjoyed the CX-50 so muchthat I would take it over the RAV4 and Sportage, as it's more fun to drive.The CX-50 Turbo is fun.In fact, I enjoy it so much that in some ways I prefer it to its newer cousin, the Mazda CX-5. No kidding.The CX-50 manages to combine premium design, useful cargo space, all-wheel drive, legitimate off-road capability, strong towing capacity and excellent driving dynamics without becoming unnecessarily complicated.For me, that's the sweet spot.If you're willing to spend the extra $7,000, the turbocharged CX-50 Meridian is one of those rare vehicles where I think the upgrade is actually worth it.AdvertisementAdvertisementIt's practical enough for Monday morning, capable enough for the weekend and entertaining enough that you might actually look forward to driving it.And that's a pretty good combination.Related: Toyota Tacoma Torture Tested on Kumho Road Venture HTsThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the Reviews section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
+57 others
