Mazda’s five-passenger, U.S.-built CX-50 is quickly becoming a popular choice in its segment. With its wagon-like profile and modern styling, the CX-50 appeals to those who want something different from the run-of-the-mill, two-box SUV shape. In addition to its snazzy exterior, the CX-50 also packs one of the best powertrains available today and Mazda’s usual premium interior.

The CX-50 certainly qualifies as an SUV, but to our eye, it is a wagon. Mazda’s crossovers are outstanding in many ways. The interiors are refined and constructed with first-rate materials. We would rank every Mazda SUV as the best-looking in its category. The CX-50 follows this winning playbook.

Mazda is also a brand that has been counted among the most reliable brands for quite a while. Dealers we have visited tended to be better than average, and all the ones we tried in Metro Boston offered loaner vehicles for service visits. These factors help elevate the ownership experience of a Mazda above that of the mainstream. We’ve been grouping Mazda in with Acura, Lexus, and Audi for some time.

We like nearly everything about the CX-50. One thing shoppers should know is that it is built in Alabama from parts 80% sourced in North America. That makes it unusual for Mazda, which imports most of its other vehicles from Japan to the American market.

With over four decades of doling out trusted automotive advice and extensive vehicle knowledge, both behind the wheel and under the hood, Car Talk's founder and original Tappet Brother Ray Magliozzi shares his first-hand experience test driving the Mazda CX-50.

If you are looking for a wagon with true off-pavement chops, how can you not cross-shop the Subaru Outback? We’d suggest trying an upscale trim of the Outback, such as the Limited. The Outback has a better infotainment package and is way better off-pavement. However, the powertrain in the CX-50 is simply at a higher level. Check out the Meridian trim of the CX-50 to make this a fair comparison.

If you found your way to Mazda due to the brand’s styling and refinement, cross-shop the 2024 Venza. The Venza is plush, refined, and stylish and has the same price point as the CX-50 Premium Plus. The Venza delivers 39 MPG AWD and has an equally good but very different powertrain from the CX-50. The Venza leaves the Toyota lineup mid-year, and the new Crown Signia replaces it. The Crown Signia is a wagon-shaped version of the outgoing Venza and will carry a slightly higher price point.

We would imagine Mazda would be pleased if we compare its $45K CX-50 to the $52K Volvo V60 Cross Country B5. Both are wagons with great styling and refined interiors. Both have turbocharged engines with geared transmissions with AWD. If you test drive a top-trim CX-50 and think, “I just wish it was more Scandinavian…” then the V60 is well worth a look.

The $31,720 2.5-Select is the CX-50’s base trim. It comes standard with AWD and Mazda’s proven and efficient four-cylinder engine. The turbocharged trims start at $40K. We tested a fully-equipped CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus with a price of $45,125. All these prices include the Mazda $1,420 Destination fee but do not include dealer Doc fees or added dealer content.

The table below shows the most common trim levels and how much they will run you.

The CX-50 is mostly carried over from previous years in 2024. For 2024, Mazda added new dampers (shocks) with more all-terrain capability and recalibrated the vehicle’s steering in response to consumer feedback. The biggest change since the vehicle’s launch a few years back was the addition of the Meridian trim, which is ready for off-pavement driving.

Mazda’s 2024 CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus is a rewarding vehicle to drive. The powertrain is the highlight. The 2.5-liter turbo has over 300 lb-ft of torque, which you enjoy from a start or when underway and want more speed. The geared transmission is a big plus. Could it use a couple more gears? Yes, but if I were Mazda, I’d ride it out with this utterly reliable unit until Mazda completes the transition to electrification. The difference in driving satisfaction between the CX-50 with this powertrain and Subaru’s CVT-equipped Outback is significant.

Handling is good in the CX-50, and it never makes any wrong moves. We had a chance to drive the CX-50 with its standard touring tires in two inches of slushy snow, and it was pretty much all the vehicle could handle. If you live where winter is a thing, try the Meridian. It has severe-snow duty-rated tires standard.

One frustrating part of the CX-50 is its infotainment system. Sometimes, you can lean forward and touch the screen. Other times, you must use your hand-eye coordination and full attention to use a mouse and pointer to do simple things. The menus are also due for a rethink. Spin the mouse, aim, tap, go back, try again. Why can’t a driver just tap the thing like in nearly all modern automobiles? Lexus gave up the mouse and pointer configuration, and I would bet dollars to donuts not a single owner misses it.

Safety is a strength of the Mazda brand, and the CX-50 has been named a Top Safety Pick by IIHS. One area it was less than perfect in IIHS testing was headlights, for which it earned an Acceptable grade. In our testing, the headlights seemed quite good. The CX-50 has earned a five-star rating from NHTSA.

Mazda has risen to the top quarter of brands in the 2024 J.D. Power Dependability study. This puts Mazda ahead of Acura, Subaru, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo. Consumer Reports gives the CX-50 a predicted reliability score of 68/100.

We’ve driven Mazda's base 2.5-liter and 2-5-liter turbocharged engines, and both are good. However, the turbo is much better. The CX-50 is not a small vehicle, and the added torque from the turbo really makes it nicer to drive. Mazda’s turbocharged engine works just fine with regular fuel, and the EPA-estimated annual difference in fuel costs between the two is just $150. Get the turbo.

Mazda’s warranty is at the short end of the spectrum, and maintenance is not included. However, during COVID, Mazda offered free oil changes to medical personnel regardless of their vehicle brand. We would not consider the warranty a negative due to Mazda's solid reliability.

• Basic: 3 years / 36k miles
• Powertrain: 5 years / 60k miles
• If buying used look at our best extended warranties

The CX-50 entered the market as a 2023 model-year vehicle in 2022. Used inventory may be very limited. We would trust a certified pre-owned CX-50 on the strength of its added warranty but would be wary of any used vehicle turned in under two years.

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