2023 Mazda CX-5 Consumer Reports

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 is available in eight trim levels: 2.5 S, 2.5 S Select, 2.5 S Preferred, 2.5 S Carbon Edition, 2.5 S Premium, 2.5 S Premium Plus, 2.5 Turbo, and 2.5 Turbo Signature. All models come standard with all-wheel drive. The 2.5 S Premium Plus is the popular trim, but we recommend the 2.5 S. We'll explain why.

2.5 S

The entry-level 2.5 S starts at $27,975 (including a $1,275 destination fee). This trim has a 10.25-inch center display with a Mazda Connect infotainment interface and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Standard features include automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, automatic LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, adaptive cruise control, and power mirrors. Interior details include cloth upholstery, dual front USB audio inputs, a four-speaker stereo system, power windows, a split-folding rear seat, keyless entry/ignition, a remote engine starter, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and air conditioning.

Though it's the base trim, the 2.5 S comes with desirable features such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. As a result, it earns our recommendation for its exceptional value.

2.5 S Select

The 2.5 S Select ($29,775) adds two rear USB charging ports, heated driver and front-passenger seats, synthetic leather seat upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a six-speaker sound system.

2.5 S Preferred

The 2.5 S Preferred ($31,465) gets leather upholstery, a sunroof, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, driver's seat memory settings, and a power-adjustable front passenger seat.

2.5 S Carbon Edition

Priced at $32,375, the 2.5 S Carbon Edition trim comes with distinctive gray exterior paint, 19-inch black-painted wheels, black exterior accents, and a choice of black or red leather upholstery.

2.5 S Premium

The 2.5 S Premium ($34,275) builds on the features of the S Preferred, adding adaptive headlights, heated mirrors, paddle shifters, and adjustable drive modes.

2.5 S Premium Plus

The 2.5 S Premium Plus ($36,775) ushers in a windshield wiper de-icer, power-folding side mirrors, a power liftgate with programmable height adjustment, a 10-speaker Bose stereo system, satellite radio, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a head-up display, and a heated steering wheel.

2.5 Turbo

The 2.5 Turbo ($38,125) swaps the base engine for a turbocharged powerplant. It also has a wireless charging pad and distinctive interior and exterior accents.

2.5 Turbo Signature

The 2.5 Turbo Signature ($40,925) boosts the luxury quotient. It has unique exterior accents, Nappa leather upholstery, interior wood accents, a navigation system, a surround-view camera, LED interior lighting, front and rear parking sensors, a drowsy driver monitor, and automatic rear braking.

The all-new 2023 Mazda CX-50 compact SUV is like the CX-5, but slightly bigger and more adventurous. It starts at $26,800, which puts it slightly above the CX-5.

When in doubt, add more SUVs. That’s Mazda’s thinking with the all-new 2023 CX-50, a compact crossover SUV joining the portfolio as a complement to the existing CX-5. Yes, the CX-5 — built in Japan and refreshed for 2022 — will be sold alongside the new, USA-made CX-50. Although one might assume that the Mazda CX-5 is being replaced by the CX-50, Mazda insists that’s not the case.

Built at the Mazda/Toyota joint plant in Huntsville, Alabama, the new CX-50 is close in size to the CX-5, but a bit wider and with a roomier back seat. It’s based on the same unibody platform as the CX-30, and all-wheel drive is standard on every trim level.

The base engine is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder unit making 187 horsepower. The alternative is a turbocharged 2.5-liter with 227 horsepower (256 if you use 93-octane gasoline) and excellent torque. Both send drive to all four wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission.

While the new CX-50 has been designed to function as well as the CX-5 on pavement, Mazda has also tuned it to work with added confidence on the type of dirt roads you might take to a remote campsite. It has slightly more ground clearance than the CX-5, firmer suspension damping, and an all-wheel-drive system with a new off-road mode that keeps this Mazda moving even when a front and rear wheel are off the ground.

To underline these dirt-road abilities, the CX-50 has rugged styling with abundant black wheel cladding, and is available with 18-inch all-terrain tires and accessories such as the roof rack seen in the photos. It also comes in a great new color: Zircon Sand.

A slightly lower roof line means a little less headroom than in the CX-5, but the back seat is a bit more comfortable, thanks to its extra legroom and width. The cargo area in the CX-50 is also a tad wider and more useful.

As a North American model, the new CX-50 has many of the active safety features found in the Mazda CX-30. These include automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance.

2023 MAZDA CX-50 Pricing

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 compact SUV starts at $26,800 for a 2.5 S model. Next up is the 2.5 S Select, at $28,200. The 2.5 S Preferred starts at $29,500. The S Preferred Plus, which adds a sliding panoramic roof, begins at $31,940.

The top two non-turbo trim levels — the 2.5 S Premium and 2.5 S Premium Plus — start at $34,400 and $36,400, respectively.

The most affordable of the three turbocharged trim levels, the CX-50 2.5 Turbo, begins at $36,400. As a Premium model, the CX-50 Turbo gets a leather interior and a starting price of $39,550. The 2023 Mazda CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus — decked out with standard features such as a nav system, heated rear seats, wireless charging, and a head-up display (HUD) — starts at $41,550.

Lastly, there’s the dirt-friendly CX-50 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition at around $40,000.

Driving the 2023 MAZDA CX-50

Every Mazda vehicle has some appreciable degree of driver engagement, even if it’s an SUV like the new CX-50. Part of this means knowing what’s going on with the road surface, as opposed to being insulated completely.

The CX-50 pulls off the impressive trick of keeping the driver informed, yet still removing the harshness. It doesn’t become tiresome driving long stretches on rough roads.

Through tight corners, the steering feels a little slow. But the upside of that is stability at freeway speeds. Mazda has put a lot of time and research into the psychology of driver inputs and the human reaction to how a vehicle responds, with the aim of creating a smooth experience.

For example, every new CX-50 comes with G-Vectoring Control. From the driver’s seat, it’s virtually imperceptible, but it shifts weight (subtly) onto the front wheels by adjusting torque delivery. This happens in response to steering inputs. The effect is that the steering always feels consistent.

This works in tandem with selectable driving modes. Naturally, there are Normal and Sport settings. But the aim here is not to change the CX-50’s personality with each different mode, but rather to retain this consistency over a range of conditions.

All-wheel drive is standard in every 2023 CX-50 SUV, and Mazda has gone where it’s never really gone before — off-road. The CX-50 doesn’t just have lots of black body cladding for the sake of it. So there’s an Off-Road driving mode as well.

The Meridian Edition model takes this angle and runs with it, wearing all-terrain tires on its 18-inch alloy wheels. It isn’t going to challenge a Jeep Wrangler for supremacy in the wild, but it’s fine for a dirt road leading to a hiking trailhead.

Those versions of the CX-50 with the 227-horsepower turbocharged engine also have a Towing mode. Maximum pulling capacity is 3,500 pounds.

Both engines connect to a 6-speed automatic transmission. With 8-speed and 9-speed automatics being quite common, Mazda reckons that half a dozen gears still works best — as long as they’re the right ratios.

Interior Comfort

Mazda does interiors well, and the new CX-50 is no exception. It’s a 2-row 5-seater with high-quality materials, and the folding bench seat offers a bit more width and legroom than the CX-5.

The overall layout is driver-focused, with controls arranged in a symmetrical fashion. It’s also remarkable how small the steering wheel’s hub is, yet it can still contain an airbag.

Although the new CX-50 has an active and outdoorsy interior ambiance (inspired by modern outdoor gear), it’s not of the popular, water-resistant “hose it out and go” variety. Instead, it looks quite luxurious inside, especially in the new light terracotta color and with the panoramic moonroof, a first for Mazda.

The beltline is quite high, so any low-slung vehicles at either side might be tough to see. But the cabin is pleasantly quiet, even at freeway speeds.

At its entry level, the 2.5 S, this new Mazda SUV comes with an 8.8-inch infotainment display. The rest of the lineup has a 10.25-inch unit.

Exterior Styling

With its sleek silhouette, the new 2023 Mazda CX-50 has an elegant-yet-planted stance. It also looks appealingly rugged, and especially attractive in a new tan paint color called Zircon Sand.

Strengthened roof rails allow the use of an accessory roof rack. The rear doors open wider than usual, making it easy for the CX-50 owner to use the back door opening as a step to reach gear on said roof rack (if one is installed).

The Meridian Edition of the 2023 CX-50 SUV accentuates the ruggedness with its own design of 18-inch alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, hood graphics, and a few other dedicated exterior elements.

Favorite Features

i-ACTIVE AWD
This intelligent all-wheel-drive system is able to predict when wheelspin will occur and respond almost immediately, sending power where it’s needed most.

MI-DRIVE
Also known as Intelligent Drive Select, Mi-Drive lets the CX-50 driver choose among Normal, Sport, and Off-Road drive settings. In Sport, vehicle response is improved. For example, the transmission doesn’t upshift automatically the moment you lift off the throttle, so there’s no waiting for a downshift the next time you need to accelerate.

Standard Features

All 2023 Mazda CX-50s come with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine — in naturally aspirated or turbocharged forms. These smooth powerplants produce good torque, and send power to all four wheels though a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The CX-50 is available in multiple trim levels. Here’s a rundown:

2.5 S: This entry-level CX-50 has an 8.8-inch full-color center console display, push-button starter, 7-inch TFT LCD instrument panel display, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Mazda Connect infotainment system, two USB ports, and an 8-speaker audio system.

2.5 S Select: Select trim adds dual-zone automatic climate control, rear passenger vents, and a leather-wrapped shifter and steering wheel. Perhaps more significant, the 2.5 S Select has a 10.25-inch center display, with HD radio and an additional pair of USB ports in the rear console. A 40/60-split/folding rear seat, black 17-inch wheels, and tinted privacy glass are also standard in this model.

2.5 S Preferred: A powered tailgate, heated mirrors and windshield wipers, heated front seats, and an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support are added.

2.5 S Preferred Plus: The highlight of this Preferred Plus model is a power-sliding panoramic moonroof with one-touch open and close.

2.5 S Premium: In addition to a 12-speaker Bose audio system (with a 3-month subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio), the Premium comes with black or terracotta interior leather, and a power-adjustable front passenger seat. Black upholstery gets contrasting camel stitching, while the terracotta has orange stitching.

2.5 S Premium Plus: This CX-50 trim level is distinguished by 20-inch alloy wheels with machine-cut black metallic accents. It also has power-folding side mirrors, heated/ventilated front seats, and a color head-up display.

2.5 Turbo: This is where the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine kicks in, mated to a paddle-shift 6-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode. The 2.5 Turbo’s all-wheel-drive (AWD) system has Sport and Off-road modes. There also is a Towing mode, exclusive to the Turbo, that increases towing capacity of the 2023 Mazda CX-50 to 3,500 pounds (2,000 pounds on the non-turbo models). Other standard features on the 2.5 Turbo include LED taillights and adaptive LED front lighting.

2.5 Turbo Premium: This trim level adds a heated steering wheel, heated/ventilated front seats, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.

2.5 Turbo Premium Plus: Besides a frameless, self-dimming rearview mirror and heated rear seats, this opulent CX-50 brings a navigation system, wireless charging, and a head-up display (HUD) with road sign recognition.

2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition: This most rugged new CX-50 SUV is set up for outdoorsy fun. The Meridian Edition comes with all-terrain tires and a host of exterior tweaks such as model-specific side rocker panels and hood graphics. This CX-50 also offers a host of special accessories designed to help customers use their vehicles on dirt.

All 2023 Mazda CX-50 models come with an advanced safety array that includes a collision-mitigation system with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance.

Factory Options

Among the options on offer in the 2023 Mazda CX-50 is a glass panoramic moonroof. The roof rack seen in many of our photos is a dealer-installed accessory.

Upgraded paints are also available on the new CX-50. Polymetal Gray Metallic, Wind Chill Pearl, and Ziron Sand Metallic cost $395. Machine Gray Metallic and Mazda’s beautiful Soul Red Crystal Mica are each $595.

Engine & Transmission

Propelling the more affordable versions of the 2023 CX-50 SUV is a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine making 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque.

As their trim names indicate, the Turbo models have a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder unit developing 256 horsepower on 93-octane premium fuel, or 227 using regular unleaded. The regular stuff does no harm to the engine. Torque is either an impressive 320 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm or a still-respectable 310 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm, depending on which gasoline is in the tank.

Both engines connect to a smooth-shifting 6-speed automatic transmission sending power to all four wheels via a torque transfer clutch at the rear differential.

Look for a Mazda CX-50 Hybrid to arrive in a couple of years. It will leverage electric expertise from Toyota, the company’s joint partner at the Alabama factory.

2.5-liter inline-4
187 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
186 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/30 mpg

2.5-liter turbocharged inline-4
227 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm (256 hp w/ 93-octane fuel)
310 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000 rpm (320 lb-ft 93-octane fuel)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/29 mpg

KBB Vehicle Review and Rating Methodology

Our Expert Ratings come from hours of both driving and number crunching to make sure that you choose the best car for you. We comprehensively experience and analyze every new SUV, car, truck, or minivan for sale in the U.S. and compare it to its competitors. When all that dust settles, we have our ratings.

We require new ratings every time an all-new vehicle or a new generation of an existing vehicle comes out. Additionally, we reassess those ratings when a new-generation vehicle receives a mid-cycle refresh — basically, sprucing up a car in the middle of its product cycle (typically, around the 2-3 years mark) with a minor facelift, often with updates to features and technology.

Rather than pulling random numbers out of the air or off some meaningless checklist, KBB’s editors rank a vehicle to where it belongs in its class. Before any car earns its KBB rating, it must prove itself to be better (or worse) than the other cars it’s competing against as it tries to get you to spend your money buying or leasing.

Our editors drive and live with a given vehicle. We ask all the right questions about the interior, the exterior, the engine and powertrain, the ride and handling, the features, the comfort, and of course, about the price. Does it serve the purpose for which it was built? (Whether that purpose is commuting efficiently to and from work in the city, keeping your family safe, making you feel like you’ve made it to the top — or that you’re on your way — or making you feel like you’ve finally found just the right partner for your lifestyle.)

We take each vehicle we test through the mundane — parking, lane-changing, backing up, cargo space and loading — as well as the essential — acceleration, braking, handling, interior quiet and comfort, build quality, materials quality, reliability.

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