2025 Mazda CX-50 review
The Mazda CX-50 is a five-seat compact SUV with a reputation for being both fun to drive and a cut above many mainstream rivals when it comes to quality and design. Take away the Mazda logos and you could be fooled into thinking you’re behind the wheel of a luxury vehicle. First introduced for the 2023 model year, the CX-50 is slotted just above the slightly smaller CX-5 in Mazda’s lineup. The CX-50 also boasts a slightly more rugged appearance thanks to its blunter front end, black fender flares, and other black exterior trim pieces. A key highlight of the CX-50–and many Mazda cars and SUVs for that matter—is its precise and confident steering. Combined with a well-sorted suspension, the CX-50 proves that a family-friendly vehicle doesn’t have to sacrifice driving enjoyment.
For the 2025 model year, a hybrid powertrain has been added to the roster of engines. It’s nestled between the standard non-turbocharged four-cylinder and upscale turbocharged models. A six-speed automatic and all-wheel drive are standard equipment on every CX-50.
Explore the evolution of the Mazda CX-50
Get our expert take on used Mazda CX-50 models, or view year-by-year changes.
First generation Mazda CX-50
Since it arrived, the CX-50 has occupied both a narrow sliver of space in Mazda’s SUV lineup and also a gray area between mainstream compact SUVs and luxury models. That’s partly due to the CX-50’s price, which is higher than popular competitors like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Chevrolet Equinox, and Subaru Forester. To its credit, having standard all-wheel drive is a key advantage because it’s often a fairly expensive extra-cost option on rival SUVs.
For the 2025 model year, there are three choices of engine and no fewer than seven trim levels: Select, Preferred, Premium, Premium Plus, Turbo Meridian, Turbo Premium, and Turbo Premium Plus. The non-turbocharged four-cylinder and turbocharged four-cylinder are carryovers this year, and for the first time, the CX-50 can be ordered with a hybrid powertrain that delivers an EPA-rated 38 mpg combined city/highway.
It carries a premium price, but the CX-50 comes well equipped with a number of standard comfort, tech, and driver-assist features. These include synthetic leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 10.25-inch infotainment display with center console-mounted controls on most trims, wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, four USB ports, a Wi-Fi hotspot, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams.
Model highlights
Three choices of engine: non-turbocharged four-cylinder, turbocharged four-cylinder, and hybrid
All-wheel drive standard
10.25-inch infotainment display with center console-mounted controls
Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™
3,500-pound maximum tow rating
Changes by year
Latest generation from 2023 - present
2025 Mazda CX-50
Highlights
Hybrid powertrain joins the lineup
Rear-seat reminder, vehicle exit warning, and forward collision warning with nighttime pedestrian detection are now standard
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2024 Mazda CX-50
Highlights
Revised steering and suspension tuning
Larger 10.25-inch touchscreen standard on all trims
Wireless device charging and upgraded audio standard on Premium and above trims
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2023 Mazda CX-50
Highlights
All-new addition to the Mazda lineup for the 2023 model year
Non-turbocharged and turbocharged four-cylinder engines
All-wheel drive standard
Learn more
Nick Kurczewski has been writing about cars for more than 20 years, and his enthusiasm for journalism has led him to cover auto-related stories around the world. From blasting down the German autobahn to covering every major auto show, his stories have appeared in the New York Times, Car and Driver, U.S. News & World Report, Kelley Blue Book, Cars.com and the New York Daily News, where he served as head editor. Having once aspired to be a Formula One racer, Nick discovered sharing his passion for cars as a journalist is just as thrilling as dreaming of pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix.
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