If you haven’t heard of the Mazda CX-50 that’s ok because there hasn’t been a ton of press around the new SUV. Much like rivals from Subaru, Ford, and Honda, the CX-50 is trying to bridge the gap between a traditional ho-hum crossover and something that can actually go off-road without getting stuck. We get to drive one next week and we wonder what you want to know about the dapper Mazda.
All-wheel drive is standard fare on this Mazda SUV that’s a bit bigger and bulkier than the CX-5 but not as large as the CX-9. The base trim level starts at just $26,800 and will feature a 187-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine which we’ve seen in other models.
Step up from there and you’ll get a turbocharged version of the same engine but with 256 ponies under the bonnet. That one will set you back at least $36,400. Both engines will use a six-speed automatic transmission. Mazda has confirmed that the CX-50 will also be offered with electrified powertrains, including a traditional hybrid model with more information to be provided at a later date.
Read Also: New Mazda CX-50 Starts At $28,025, Just $900 More Than The Less Rugged CX-5
Regardless of engine choice, this could be the most capable off-roader in Mazda’s lineup. We know that it’ll have a dedicated off-road mode, tougher b-pillars, and even high-strength roof rails for all sorts of activities including toting gear into a far-off campsite.
At the same time, Mazda seems devoted to keeping its signature on-road athleticism as a point of pride. Mazda’s vehicle development engineer Dave Coleman has said in the past that the brand has “resolved to get the best off-road performance that we could without making any compromises in the on-road driving.”
And they say that because, according to their research, the vast majority of outdoor trips have considerably more miles of pavement than they do actual trails. Is that balance the correct one for the CX-50? Well, we’ll have some ideas in about a week after we get back.
Until then, let us know what you’re wondering about this new SUV below in the comments. Are you concerned about actual off-road capability? Maybe you want to know how well this Mazda handles like a Miata. We’ll answer all that we can.
Correction: A previous version of this story said that a hybrid offering is rumored when in fact Mazda has confirmed it with details to be shared at a later stage. We apologize for the mistake.
