The Mazda CX-50 is exemplary of what the company's cars are known for: excellent handling, upscale interiors, handsome styling, and a thrill to drive that most other compact SUVs just can't compete with. 2025 models also introduced the Toyota RAV4’s hybrid engine, making a purely sporty car into an efficient one as well. It delivers on the promise of a Mazda: luxury cars with sub-luxury price points.
Key Takeaways:
- There will be a 2026 Mazda CX-50, meaning you can get into a luxury SUV very soon!
- A new hybrid engine introduced in 2025 adds a thrifty edge to a fun and sporty car.
- The CX-50 starts at $31,995, making it a very great price point for individuals and families.
Is the Mazda CX-50 a Good Car?
Yes. The Mazda CX-50 separates itself from other midsize SUVs in a few key ways: it features upscale interior design, plush materials, sporty handling, and a chiseled exterior. Upper trims feature a powerful 256-hp turbocharged V4, pairing dynamic handling with excellent performance. All engines keep the crisp handling that makes Mazdas so fun to drive, and elevate mundane trips into something more exciting.
Is the CX-50 bigger than the CX-5?
Yes. While they occupy the same weight class, the CX-50 is slightly wider and longer than the CX-5. The CX-50 is designed to be more capable off-road, filling the adventurous niche that the more pedestrian and efficient CX-5 doesn’t. In their respective roles, both perform well. The 50 has an off-road mode on every trim, which is something that is only available on upper-trims of the CX5.
What is the Mazda CX-50 Comparable To?
As a compact SUV, the CX-50 has plenty of competition in a saturated market. The two standout SUVs in this area are the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V. The CX-50 is a more luxurious and energetic counterpart to the straight efficiency of the RAV4 and CR-V. And with the introduction of the RAV4’s hybrid engine, the CX-50 can now also compete with these cars in terms of mileage and daily use as well.
Does the Mazda CX-50 have a Toyota engine?
Yes. For the 2025 model year, the CX-50 had Toyota’s inline-four hybrid engine added as an option. This new engine makes the CX-50 far more thrifty than it used to be and offers great flexibility to the lineup. The hybrid engine has a fuel efficiency of 39mpg city/ 37mpg highway, according to the EPA. Non-hybrid models predictably aren’t quite as thrifty, but offer more thrilling performance and a signature growl of Mazda’s engines. Which engine you choose depends on what you value in your car.
Is the 2026 Mazda CX-50 Safe?
The Mazda CX-50 comes with a suite of safety tech that includes: Automatic emergency brakes, lane departure warning and lane assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. Optional features include: automatic high beams and a 360 exterior camera system for obstacle detection.
The CX-50 earned five stars from the NHTSA, as well as an IIHS Top Safety Pick+. This is better than the Honda CR-V, which only qualified for the lower Top Safety Pick, as well as the Toyota RAV4, which didn’t qualify for either. The CX-50 is a car that doesn’t compromise on safety.
Do 2026 Mazda CX-50s Hold Their Value?
According to Kelly Blue Book, the 2023 Mazda CX-50 is in the top 10-25% for value retention among all 2023 SUVs. While numbers from newer models aren’t available yet, Mazda cars typically retain value much better than other SUVs as a result of their standard features and upscale interiors.
Is the 2026 Mazda CX-50 Worth Purchasing?
A fun car with newly found practical aspects, the CX-50 excels in all the roles an SUV is expected to fill: off-road adventurer, practical people hauler, and a comfortable daily driver. The CX-50 delivers luxury quality at an excellent price, making it a great value choice as well as a safe one.
If you’d like to feel the exceptional performance of the Mazda CX-50 yourself, come down to Cogswell Mazda today for a test drive.