Mazda CX-50 competes against older sibling

Solid performance with much to offer

Roseville, Calif.- Coming off its third greatest sales year, the CX-5 now faces one more worthy rival. Oddly, it’s the 2024 Mazda CX-50. That’s right, Mazda has decided to manufacture another compact SUV that likely is competing against its older sibling.

The popular Mazda CX-5 has been a staple in the company’s lineup since debuting 12 years ago. It had record sales of 168,448 two years ago and last year wasn’t shabby either at 151,594. In contrast, the CX-50 had sales of 21,329 in its debut last year.

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Competing against heavy hitters

Both Mazda SUVs face a huge task in competing against some heavy hitters in the compact SUV class, including the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, Nissan Rogue, Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage, Subaru Forester, and Volkswagen Tiguan.

There are a lot of similarities with the two Mazda SUVs. However, matched up head-to-head, the CX-50 rates a little higher in many categories. The younger SUV is longer and wider and also has a higher ground clearance (ranging between 8.3 and 8.6 inches). When comparing interiors, the CX-50 delivers more leg room and offers a larger cargo area.

Advanced all-wheel-drive

The CX-50’s ground clearance allows the more rugged small SUV to navigate over rougher terrain in doing some light off-roading. A more advanced all-wheel-drive capability gives the CX-50 the chops to take on the elements. It also has more towing capacity – 3,500 pounds to 2,000 for the CX-5.

Among the similarities are employing the same two engines, including an optional turbocharged model. From an interior standpoint, both SUVS have essentially the same technology and safety features. Even though the CX-50 is slightly pricier, the sticker price for the two SUVS are nearly identical.

The CX-50 is the Mazda’s first vehicle produced at the new Huntsville, Ala. plant that is a joint venture with Toyota. The SUV provides solid performance, sharp handling, a comfortable, spacious cabin, and has an attractive exterior highlighted by its wide fenders. It would be tough to find a compact SUV with more diversity, evidenced by its eight trim levels – Select, Preferred, Premium, Premium Plus, Turbo, Turbo Meridian, Turbo Premium and Turbo Premium Plus.

The base engine for the CX-50 is a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder that generates 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. It can travel 0-60 mph in a modest 8.0 seconds and fuel economy is 24-30 mpg. The more powerful optional engine is a turbo 2.5-liter, four-cylinder that produces 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. It goes 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds and gets 22-28 mpg

The agile CX-50 provides athletic handling that makes it fun to drive on challenging roads. Standard driver assistance safety features include frontal collision mitigation, blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams.

AT A GLANCE – 2024 MAZDA CX-50

• Performance: 2.5-liter, four-cylinder, 187 horsepower; turbocharged 2.5-liter, four-cylinder, 256 horsepower
• Mileage estimate: 24-30 mpg; 22-28 mpg
• Price estimate: $30,400 to $43,400
• Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles; drivetrain: 5 years/60,000 miles; roadside assistance: 3 years/36,000; corrosion: 5 years/unlimited

Interior

The interior of the CX-50 has a nice feel, thanks in part to soft padding on the dash and very few hard surfaces. It features an 8.8-inch touchscreen that is intuitive and comes with buttons and knobs, instead of linking everything to the touchscreen. The SUV comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration and has wireless connectivity on all trims.

The cargo area is average for the class – 31.4 cubic feet of space behind the second row that expands to 56.3 cubes with the rear seats folded down. The CX-50 seats five passengers, including three on the back seat rear bench that can easily accommodate adults.

The starting price rose nearly $4,000 from last year’s model – the $30,400 cost is high for the compact SUV class. Yet the 2024 Mazda CX-50 has much to offer, delivering good performance and handling, solid interior, and the ability to do some mild off-roading. The only issue is it’s a definite competitor for the Mazda CX-5, so what will be the ultimate result of that pairing.