- The Mazda CX-50 has a premium-feeling 5-passenger cabin
- Seven trim choices bring a wide range of options and amenities
- New interior hue debuts, too
We’ve long been fans of the Mazda CX-50, starting with its rugged yet handsome exterior design. But as we all know by now, it’s what’s inside that counts, and Mazda’s compact SUV shines there, too. If you’re considering this practical and feature-filled 5-passenger SUV, here’s what you can expect when stepping inside.
Passenger Room and Comfort
Good news: Even if you spend the least on a 2026 CX-50 — that’d be $31,395 for a base S Select trim — you’ll be treated to comfortable and easy-to-clean leatherette upholstery, dual-zone climate control, wireless phone charger, and leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear selector.
Still, we’d recommend stepping up even one trim to the S Preferred to gain creature comforts like an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, 3-level heated front seats, panoramic moonroof, power liftgate with programmable height adjustment, and the new option of a striking interior hue. More on that in a minute.
Features and Tech
We love that you can say goodbye to phone cords in the 2026 CX-50. In addition to all trims coming with a wireless phone charging cradle, they also include wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto. Of course, should you want to plug in, there’s a total of four USB-C ports — two up front and two in back.
The CX-50’s infotainment system is highlighted by a 10.25-inch display. This is still large enough in today’s screen wars, and we rather like that it’s mounted high in the dash and doesn’t look like a giant tablet simply pasted on the dash, like some others.
Higher trims include a good-sounding Bose 12-speaker audio system, Alexa Built-in, and a head-up display — that Mazda calls Active Driving Display. We especially like how the HUD relays when other vehicles enter your blind spots.
Materials and Design
The CX-50 is like other Mazda vehicles in that the cabin is a cut above. We’ve heard more than one instance of passengers stepping into the cabin for the first time and being wowed by Mazda’s quality. We are likewise impressed every time we test one, and the CX-50 is no exception.
As mentioned, even base models feature leatherette upholstery that mimics the real thing, and genuine leather is offered on upper trims if you’d prefer. Other premium options include ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel and rear seats, plus a power-adjustable passenger seat.
Mazda has a special way with colors. The brand’s Soul Red Crystal Metallic exterior paint has long wooed us, but Mazda interiors can also pop with color. In addition to the usual black and gray schemes, there’s a beautiful Terracotta option. New for 2026 is a white color scheme that’s offered with either the leatherette or leather and makes a striking statement.
Cargo Room and Flexibility
The CX-50 falls into the compact SUV class, but its interior room and practicality are in no way small. There’s plenty of room in front for all body shapes and sizes, and rear legroom is plentiful at 39.8 inches.
As for cargo space, the CX-50 has 31.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 56.3 with them folded. Some rivals have more, but in our testing, we’ve found this Mazda has more than enough space for grocery runs, storing gear for adventurous outings, and everyday functionality. Another bonus: All CX-50 trims have a rear seat that folds in a 60/40 split, providing more flexibility for accommodating passengers and gear.
Build and price your version of the 2026 Mazda CX-50 to see this week’s Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price, or check out Mazda CX-50 models for sale near you.
