Mazda is on a quest to earn the attention of a different type of buyer. The Japanese company has always been the choice for those who lack a luxury car budget but love their time on the road. But, for the 2023 model year, it’s after the attention of those who love their time off the road, too.
Off-Road Crossovers Alongside On-Road Crossovers
The company has made all-wheel-drive (AWD) standard on all its SUVs and launched a new slate of rugged crossovers. They don’t replace the automaker’s beloved slate of great-handling crossovers. Instead, they’ll be sold alongside them, like the wall of hiking boots in the shoe store.
The first of the group is the 2023 Mazda CX-50. It’s not a replacement for the CX-5. It’s just its outdoorsy younger brother.
But automakers who appeal to the Patagonia set know that Americans have an endless appetite for ever-more-rugged versions of our favorite rugged things. So, like Subaru with its Wilderness models, Mazda is kicking off a special edition that turns the off-road dial up a touch.
All-Terrain Tires, Appearance Tweaks
The 2023 Mazda CX-50 Meridian Edition package is available exclusively on the CX-50 Turbo, with its 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine making 256 horsepower. The Turbo starts at $37,150, plus a $1,275 destination fee.
The Meridian package costs $2,800 and adds 18-inch black wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires. A pair of dirt tires are often the most effective upgrade to make a vehicle behave better off-road. This is a good thing because the package has no suspension upgrades.
There are some visual tweaks, which arguably make a difference on the trail. A matte black hood decal helps reduce glare. New headlight surrounds and rocker panels help set it apart from other CX-50s but probably make no functional difference.
The Meridian Package is available only with Polymetal Gray or Zircon Sand exterior paint, with a Terracotta leather interior.
An Apex Package, another $1,235, adds a roof platform, splash guards, and a different hood graphic.
Non-Turbo CX-50s can get some of the same appearance tweaks with the $1,899 Meridian Choice package. It includes the roof platform, hood graphic, headlight trim, and splash guards without the tires.
