This is the new Mazda CX-50, a midsized SUV designed to compete with cars like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. If that sounds very much like the remit of the CX-5, it is, but Hiroshima’s latest model isn’t replacing its stalwart crossover – at least, not yet.
Revealed ahead of tomorrow’s Los Angeles Auto Show, the CX-50 differs from the CX-5 in that it’s been built from the ground up for the North American market – so don’t hold your breath for it to arrive here anytime soon. It appears to be slightly larger, meaning that it should offer more interior space than its cramped sibling and stand up better to comparisons with its rivals.
The CX-50 sports a boxier, more rugged version of Mazda’s Kodo design language with chunky flared fenders, squared-off wheel arches and lots of black plastic body cladding. The front end is more angular than past models but continues to wear a large grille and sharp headlights (here with black plastic frames), plus vertical corner air inlets and a slim horizontal strip with integrated accent lighting.
The theme is continued at the rear with the large (likely fake) vents and two-piece taillights. Mazda says that the roof rails, B-pillars and door jambs have been strengthened to enable the storing of items on top of the CX-50, adding to the car’s rough-and-tumble nature. A new Zircon Sand paint option has been added.
Inside, Mazda’s typical clean horizontal dashboard design has been accented with vertical air vents, including two on either side of the instrument cluster. Not much has been made available in the way of details, but there’s the usual freestanding infotainment screen and a digital instrument display sandwiched between two analogue dials.
Mazda also says that the seats feature blended materials inspired by outdoor gear, while the boot – a sore point for most Mazdas – has been designed to “help support and enable outdoor activities.” A new terracotta interior colour option is available, along with a panoramic sunroof – a first for the brand, apparently.
Technical details remain scarce, but reports say that the CX-50 is based on the same Skyactiv-Vechicle Architecture as the Mazda 3 and CX-30. Whether or not it will ride on the same torsion beam rear suspension as those cars remains to be seen, but Mazda has confirmed it will get standard all-wheel drive and Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) with off-road-specific modes.
Also compared are 2.5 litre naturally-aspirated and turbocharged Skyactiv-G petrol engines mated to a standard six-speed automatic gearbox. Outputs remain unknown but expect them to be similar to the 3 and CX-30 – 186 hp and 252 Nm of torque for the NA mill and 227 hp and 420 Nm for the turbo. A hybrid powertrain – tipped to be derived from joint venture partner Toyota – will also be made available later.
Production of the CX-50 will begin in January at the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM) plant in Huntsville, Alabama. The car will be the first Mazda model to be built at the facility, which also churns out the smaller Toyota Corolla Cross for the region. The CX-50 is the first of a new range of Mazda SUVs, which will also include the CX-60, CX-70, CX-80 and CX-90 built on a new rear-wheel-drive platform.
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Subaru Malaysia doesn’t want to launch latest Outback here, Mazda please bring cx50 here
Yes, please bring the CX-50 here, but nothing to do with Subaru Outback.
This is the car hotter than CX-30 in terms of appeal and functionality.
Malaysia is a really small market. Definitely not a priority; bring your hopes down.
i never like any mazda msia product lineup
but this is seriously good looking suv. sign me up! with the turbo engine
you never like?… maybe not yet!
or maybe you never want to admit that you will love it!
once you go Mazda, you don’t go back.
just like once u experience High-Definition TV, you don’t go back to old plasma TV.
Genuine ad, there’s no need to show the ability to overtake competitors’ car like the brand starts with H.
250NM++ torque only during overtake? Please, we have 420NM here constant from 2k to 4k rpm.
cun gila
The design in my opinion is too simple.. it doesn’t impress me like the Mazda 3 liftback. the side profile also doesn’t have the curve like the CX-30 that reflect the light to form S shape.. tail light design can be improved. No wow factor for me.. sorry.. It is exclusive for US market only so thats fine :)
super nice exterior design.
2.5 turbo engine with awd is a plus point.
hopefully mazda malaysia would consider CKD it here in Malaysia.
Nvm, if peeps in the U.S. are too stuck up to not pay so much for a Mazda badge, they can come bring it here then haha
the sport rim remind me of subaru xv. the rear light remind me of new honda brv.