Starting Price: $26,800 | Price Yours
KBB Rating: 4.6 out of 5
The Mazda CX-50 is an all-new SUV for the 2023 model year. It builds on the proven platform of the more mainstream CX-5 and makes it a little more rugged. It has standard all-wheel drive (AWD) and an appearance package hinting at its adventurous spirit.
Two engines are available under the hood, each with its own strengths.
The Popular Engine (Recommended)
2.5-liter 4-cylinder
187 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
186 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway/combined fuel economy: 24/30/27 mpg
Price of entry: $26,800
This is the engine you’ll find under the hood of most CX-50 models, and it strikes a nice balance of performance and efficiency. It has enough power and torque to propel this SUV with some enthusiasm, even with passengers in the vehicle. A 6-speed automatic transmission delivers power to the wheels.
The CX-50 delivers engaging driving manners and even has some off-road chops thanks to standard AWD and an off-road drive mode. The handling is agile for an SUV, which is par for the course for a Mazda.
The Faster Engine
2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder
227 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm (256 hp with 93-octane fuel)
310 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000 rpm (320 lb-ft with 93-octane fuel)
EPA city/highway/combined fuel economy: 23/29/25 mpg
Price of entry: $36,400
The turbocharged engine option in the CX-50 is a great upgrade if your budget allows it. However, the more efficient and affordable base engine is a better value for most drivers.
The turbo engine brings a significant performance upgrade to the CX-50, especially if you’re willing to pay for premium fuel. You can safely use regular gas, but premium gas unlocks its full potential with more power and torque.
All-wheel drive still comes standard with the turbocharged engine, and it only comes with a minor fuel economy penalty compared to the base engine. At $4 per gallon, a 12,000-mile-per-year driver will pay about $12 more in gas per month.
Another perk of the turbo engine is a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds compared to 2,000 pounds with the base engine.
More 2023 Mazda CX-50
Now that you know which engine is right for you, build and price your own 2023 Mazda CX-50 to see this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Mazda CX-50 models for sale near you.
