Mazda CX-50 Price Starts Just Over $28,000

• 2023 Mazda CX-50 prices start at just over $28K, including destination.
• New SUV model will sell alongside the popular CX-5 in Mazda showrooms.
• Designed to appeal to outdoors enthusiasts, it goes on sale in the spring of 2022.

Equipped with seating for five people, the Mazda CX-50 is a compact crossover that's wider and longer than a Mazda CX-5 and has more traditional SUV styling cues to convey a rugged appearance.

In other words, the 2023 CX-50 targets the same customer that usually gravitates toward Jeep and Subaru crossovers such as the Jeep Compass and Cherokee, as well as the Subaru Forester and Outback. Meanwhile, the CX-5's mission is now a little murky, as it's roughly the same size as the CX-50 but is outfitted with Mazda's previous-generation interior design and infotainment system.

Ultimately, Edmunds believes the CX-50 will replace the CX-5, but it might take a few years for the older model to finally shuffle off its mortal coil. After all, the CX-30 effectively replaced the CX-3, but Mazda kept the CX-3 around for a few more years before discontinuing it. We can imagine the same thing for the CX-5, especially since the CX-5 is Mazda's best-selling vehicle. You can't just drive a stake into the heart of your cash cow.

Mazda CX-50 specs and trim levels

Mazda offers the new CX-50 with its familiar 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. In addition, the company's new Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) equips the CX-50 with Normal, Sport and Off-Road driving modes. A Towing mode is also available with the turbocharged version of the engine, giving the CX-50 3,500 pounds of towing capacity.

In most versions of the CX-50, the four-cylinder generates 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. The CX-50 Turbo models provide 256 hp and 320 lb-ft when running the engine on 93 octane gas (227 hp, 310 lb-ft on regular). Mazda confirms that future versions of the CX-50 will also offer electrified drivetrains, including a hybrid powertrain and another unspecified type of propulsion.

There are six trim levels for the 2.5 S, ranging from the base version of the SUV to the Premium Plus variant. The Turbos come in four trims, including a Meridian Edition that will arrive later in 2022 and live at the top of the lineup. Mazda says it will announce prices for the CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition later.

Edmunds says

Mazda has not released full specifications for the new CX-50, so we cannot compare it size-wise to its primary competitors, let alone the existing CX-5. However, if the aforementioned Jeeps and Subarus are the CX-50's main rivals, it will need to supply ample ground clearance coupled with off-roading capability previously unavailable in a Mazda.

We'll be driving this new SUV soon, so stay tuned for our initial findings.