2026 Mazda CX-50

Price Range: $29,900 - $42,900

Good

The 2026 Mazda CX-50 features attractive styling inside and out. It's also more fun to drive than many other small SUVs thanks to its sporty handling and available turbocharged engine. The CX-50 costs a little more than some competitors, but we think the upsides are well worth the price.Read full review

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Mazda CX-50 for Sale

Pricing

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Edmunds suggests you pay

$29,216

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Edmunds suggested price is based on sales in NY thru 10/26/26, including destination fee, but not other dealer fees. Final assembly in USA.

Pros

Quick acceleration from optional turbocharged engine
Enjoyable handling around turns
Upscale interior design
Better-than-average off-road capability for a small crossover SUV

Cons

Slightly more expensive than rivals
Infotainment system is touch-sensing only for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Middling cargo capacity for the class

What's new

Outdoorsy Meridian trim available with base engine
Minor changes to trim level lineup and standard feature availability
Part of the first CX-50 generation introduced for 2023

Overview

Written by automotive expert Mark Takahashi

Updated: 11/8/2026

The 2026 Mazda CX-50 is a slightly larger and more ruggedly styled SUV than its stablemate, the CX-5. Its roomy and versatile interior makes it a compelling rival against the likes of the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, and its standard all-wheel drive and adventurous Meridian trim give it a leg up on functionality too. This two-row small SUV offers a choice of powertrains: a standard gas engine, a more powerful turbocharged engine, and a Toyota-sourced hybrid introduced in 2025. For 2026, Mazda has lowered the price of the Meridian trim by offering it with the standard gas engine.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

Driven, tested, rated by automotive expert Reese Counts

Good

6.8

out of 10

We drove the 2026 Mazda CX-50 on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Driving experience

6.8/10

How does it drive? Mazdas tend to be among the best-driving models in their classes, and the CX-50 is no different. The optional turbocharged engine is never short on power and makes the CX-50 one of the quickest in its class. With the turbo engine, zero-to-60 mph acceleration in our testing took 7.2 seconds, but the base four-cylinder engine is much slower (9.0 seconds) and not nearly as enjoyable.

The CX-50 isn't a Miata, but it handles better than most small crossovers. Quick, responsive steering helps the sporty feeling but requires a bit more muscle than you'd like at low speeds. Driving through a winding neighborhood shouldn't feel like work. The ride, too, is firmer than that of most rivals — also the cost for the lively, engaged handling.

Thankfully, there's not much road noise. The CX-50 is a bit loud at full throttle but settles down nicely on the highway, with only a mild amount of wind and road noise.

The CX-50 comes standard with a decent bundle of driver aids, including blind-spot warning and adaptive cruise control. They work well, and we didn't notice any false alerts during our testing. The adaptive cruise holds good gaps and will bring you down to a full stop in traffic.

Comfort

7.9/10

How comfortable is it? The front seats offer decent padding and side bolsters, but the rear bench is a bit flat. The CX-50 isn't quite as roomy as most rivals in overall cabin volume, but there's plenty of passenger space in both rows. A 6-foot passenger can comfortably sit behind a 6-foot driver. The driving position is exceptional, with upright seats that are still low enough for easy entry and exit and ample adjustment for both the seat and steering wheel. Nothing is hard to reach. The door openings are wide, and getting in and out isn't much trouble.

The climate control system is simple in the best sort of way. It uses real buttons and knobs rather than locking everything to the touchscreen or unresponsive capacitive touch controls. It's all easy to see and reach, and rear passengers will appreciate the air vents.

In-cabin tech

7.1/10

How’s the tech? Mazda includes a decent array of standard tech with the CX-50. Apple CarPlay with wireless connectivity and Android Auto are included on all trims, and there are multiple USB-A ports for charging. A wireless charging pad is available, though we rarely got it to function with an iPhone. A knob is used to control most of the infotainment functions, with the screen too far away to reach comfortably. But the bigger issue is a menu structure that's unintuitive and can be frustrating.

Storage & cargo

6.6/10

How’s storage and cargo? The CX-50's cargo area doesn't quite match what its longer-than-average proportions might suggest. With 31.4 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 56.3 cubic feet of space with the 60/40-split rear seats folded down, overall cargo space is near the bottom of the small crossover class. Cargo space in the rest of the cabin is much better thanks to a sizable and well-designed center console and spacious door pockets.

Value

6.4/10

Is it a good value? There's no getting around the fact that the CX-50 is one of the most expensive vehicles in its class. The flip side is that Mazda includes all-wheel drive as standard and a pleasing collection of features. Like many Mazdas of late, the interior is a step up from what you'll find elsewhere too. Fit and finish is excellent, and the overall design and choice of materials make it feel worth the premium you'll pay. There's soft padding on the dash, and all of the buttons and knobs have a nice feel to them. Details like that matter.

Mazda's standard three-year/36,000-mile basic and five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty is average, as is roadside assistance for three years/36,000 miles.

MPG

5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The base-engine CX-50 gets an EPA-estimated 28 mpg combined. With the upgraded turbo engine, that estimate drops to 25 mpg combined. Neither figure is particularly great for a small SUV. At least our turbocharged test vehicle met its combined rating in our hands, achieving 25.7 mpg on our real-world evaluation route.

X factor

9/10

The CX-50 doesn't look dramatically different from Mazda's current lineup, but that's not a bad thing in our eyes. The design is distinctive, and the wide fenders make it look squat and a bit rugged. The interior is nice, too, and the whole thing comes together in a way that makes the CX-50 feel a bit more charming than most modern people-movers. It's less boring too.

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2026 Mazda CX-50 pricing in Liverpool, NY

Edmunds suggests you pay

What should I pay

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Buying Tips for the 2026 Mazda CX-50 for November

Mazda is giving CX-50 shoppers a real opening here, with buyers already getting about $1,300 off MSRP and a $1000 customer cash rebate that stacks for roughly $2,300 total savings.

New supply is plentiful at about 28,300 CX-50s nationwide, so you should have solid selection. The 2.5 S Preferred and 2.5 S Premium are especially easy to find, while the Turbo and Meridian trims are tighter.
New CX-50s are turning in 34 days, which is exactly average for new vehicles. That points to balanced demand, so expect fair deals rather than fire-sale pricing.
Mazda is also offering promotional financing as low as 1.9% for 48 or 60 months for qualified buyers. That is far below typical market rates and can save you thousands in interest.

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2026 Mazda CX-50 trim level differences

The 2026 Mazda CX-50 is a compact crossover SUV seating five passengers. It comes in many trim levels, and it can be confusing to figure out what you're getting with each one. The CX-50's main trim levels are 2.5 S Select, 2.5 S Preferred, 2.5 S Meridian Edition and 2.5 S Premium. These trim levels come with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. There are also three trim levels that come with a more powerful turbocharged version of that engine: 2.5 Turbo, 2.5 Meridian Edition and 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus. Got all that? Great, because there's also the CX-50 Hybrid. It comes in Hybrid Preferred, Hybrid Premium and Hybrid Premium Plus trim levels. Compare the 2026 Mazda CX-50 trim levels in-depth.

Which CX-50 trim does Edmunds recommend?

We recommend going with the CX-50 Meridian Edition. This outdoorsy model offers more personality and capability than the standard CX-50 for not much more money. While before 2026 it was available only with the turbocharged engine, Mazda now offers the Meridian Edition with the standard gas engine. Both engines are good, though we found the turbocharged engine to be thirsty in our testing.

Competitors to consider

What doesn't the CX-50 compete against? There's the Honda CR-V, of course, along with the Toyota RAV4 — two vehicles that dominate the small SUV market in regards to sales. Looking past those, we also recommend checking out the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Subaru Forester and Volkswagen Tiguan. Mazda is unusual in that it also sells two small SUVs: the CX-50 and the CX-5. The CX-5 has been redesigned for 2026 to be roomier and more comfortable, but we've found in our testing that it's not as enjoyable to drive as the CX-50.

Edmunds spotlight: Affordable luxury

Mazda is inching toward premium automaker status, and the CX-50 is a step in that direction. Trim for trim, it costs a bit more than its rivals. However, it justifies that in a couple of ways. First, all-wheel drive is standard across the board, which is typically optional on most competitors. The CX-50's interior is also a cut above the rest, with relatively upscale materials and an unimpeachable fit and finish. And the CX-50 has Mazda's signature fun-to-drive demeanor. Just note that the top trims are pricey enough to encroach on actual luxury automakers with more brand cachet.

Mazda CX-50 Reviews

Owner Reviews

3.9

66 reviews

5(48%)

4(18%)

3(15%)

2(8%)

1(11%)

Owners Say

Overall, owner sentiment is mixed. Owners like the sharp look, roomy cargo area, strong gas mileage in some models, and fun driving feel. But many say the seats are firm, the ride can be bumpy and noisy, and the touchscreen controls and other tech can be confusing or glitchy. Some owners also report slow pickup, poor visibility when parking, and a few quality or part delays.

This summary is AI-generated from the text of owner reviews

See all 66 reviews of the Mazda CX-50

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Most Helpful Owner Review

Know what you want and you won't be disappointed.

Braden, 09/23/2024

2025 Mazda CX-50 2.5 S Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A)

Mazda isn’t a luxury brand. Its four-cylinder engines aren’t racers. A vehicle like this—in this price range with the above-mentioned caveats—isn’t going to introduce a new paradigm in any single automotive category. The CX-50 takes everything that every other manufacturer has already done with smaller-sized crossover SUVs for two decades now, distills them down to their desired … functions, separates the chaff, then weaves it all back together with only the positive aspects remaining—and it manages to sell it for under $40k. I love my CX-50. I won’t pretend to be an objective auto-guru giving you my professional, dispassionate opinion. I had my last vehicle for 14 years and have been saving and searching for a replacement for the last five. I had a big list of five-seater SUVs I spent months researching and paring down. The CX-50 was at the top. There’s many reasons for that: The cost — I bought a brand new Premium model. $35k. You can get a lower trim for less, or a Turbo for more if you want the extra power. I struggled with the Turbo desire. Even though I don’t have one, I’m not upset after the time I’ve spent with mine. The safety — Check the NTSB reports and videos yourself. It’s phenomenal. The comfort — Premium trims and below come with 17” wheels instead of larger. These wheels combined with the higher suspension make for a stable ride without removing the feel of being connected to the road. Some want none of that feel, and that’s fair. I’m not like that. I need to feel what and how I’m riding. This vehicle allows that without making it uncomfortable. The interior seats and positions make it easy to enjoy the ride. The driver and passenger seats are bucket-style, my favorite. Being a small-not-mini cSUV, the seats may seem narrower than some might like—curved on each side, the actual space to "sink" into is more limited than it first appears. If you’re a bulkier person, you may want more room. But I’m skinny (and tall, yet I’ve never felt vertically cramped), and the seats provide me ample room and cradle my frame very naturally. Despite the Premium trim not sporting the premium leather that I've been used to for years now—they're a combo of synthetic leather and fabric weaved vertically down the center—I haven't felt a moment of discomfort, even on long drives. Most (maybe all?) trims feature power lumbar support, too, and that significantly increases the number of viable seat-and-back positions for your chair. I'm excited to try the seat warmers this winter, too, which will be a first for me. I will level some criticism at the placement of the front seat cup holders, though. You do get the option of holders placed in both the front driver and passenger doors, but your primary cup holders are located right under the dashboard instrument panel—directly in front of the shifter, tucked into a nook-like space. My initial fear was that it would be possible to easily nudge the shifter when you very much don't want to, which turned out to be overblown. But if you step out of your car and reach back in to take your cup of coffee with you, prepare to lean over the console awkwardly and then cautiously weave your arm (and coffee!) backwards to avoid snagging the steering wheel. It's a minor complaint, but one I deal with typically at least twice a day. The power — It’s a four-cylinder engine. This is why I say “know what you want” in the title. You’re not gonna win drag races (unless maybe you splurge for the Turbo), so if that’s your thing then look elsewhere. But it DOES have the giddy-up I need to feel safe overtaking and entering busy intersections and freeways. Unlike many fours, Mazda’s Skyactiv engine is naturally aspirated, drawing more power from ambient airflow, and combines it with a very active cylinder shutoff strategy that compensates for the more aggressive use of fuel, maintaining a balance of power with satisfactory fuel economy (but in 2025, the combined 28mpg average is admittedly leaning more to the lower end of acceptable). The tach kicks up higher than I expected, but nowhere near the redline. The actual output surprised me; it reaches 0-60 in 8 seconds, better than the spec sheet claims. I honestly expected weaker. Bonus! I also want to give special attention to Mazda's decision to include multiple drive modes that can be toggled on-the-fly with the MiDrive switch: Normal keeps the above-mentioned balance of responsiveness and fuel economy, Off-road appropriately summons the U in the SUV moniker and allows this vehicle a very satisfying drive experience on backroads and in inclement weather, and Sport mode (which I guess invokes the S?) keeps the engine running at a higher RPM to allow for more active shifting and decreases the latency between the clutch and the shift input. Plus, you have the option of manually controlling the gears with a simple lean of the shifter to the left; suddenly you're driving a standard without the clutch! (Or more accurately, you're getting about 65% of the manual transmission experience since you don't have to downshift.) The manual control significantly increases the control I have over the vehicle—but only when I want it. The tech — Lots of driver-assist features, but a lot of them feel like more basic versions of advanced systems other higher-tier vehicles offer. They’re still useful, though I don’t really feel that I “need” them. However, the Infotainment interface is wonderful! The screen IS touch-capable, but I hate touchscreens in cars, and Mazda offers Commander control knobs within arms’ reach of the center console. Adapting to them only took a couple hours, and I have touched the screen one time since first setup. I LOVE the Commander knobs and dials so much, and I know others don’t like them despite not giving them a chance. Give them a chance! They’re game-changers! The only tech I would advise on is the radar cruise control: It’s nice to have it and works well as long as you keep an active eye on it during drives with traffic that tends to exit in both directions frequently, and on stretches of hilly terrain. The CC attempts to maintain your set speed VERY aggressively and will suddenly drop you into the lowest gear that approaches the redline too closely for my taste. The reliability — It’s a Mazda. It’s reliable. They make cars knowing many of their drivers are “spirited” in their journeys. They’re even giving Toyota a run for their reliability rating money. And with the recent rocket in sales of Mazda’s CX-series of vehicles, there will be parts and knowledge a’plenty out in the wild. The 50 is, admittedly, a newer model for Mazda, the first model releasing just three years ago, so really only time will tell how durable it is. But it's reassuring to know that the broader engineering platform of this vehicle exists in many other forms across other Mazda models with a longer tenure on the road. Are there better vehicles? Yes, obviously—in every category. But for this price point? I would argue no. I was never gonna find anything else that met (and then surprisingly surpassed) my expectations for under $40k. And I expected quite a bit. I’m getting everything I bargained for, and after four vehicles through my life, this is finally the first one I’ve actually been consistently excited to drive day in and day out.

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2026 Mazda CX-50, so we've included review for other years of the CX-50 since its last redesign.

Helpful shopping links

2026 Mazda CX-50 video

Does This Make Sense? New Mazda CX-5 vs. Mazda CX-50

Thinking about buying a new Mazda SUV? In this Mazda CX-5 vs. Mazda CX-50 review, we compare price, specs, and driving dynamics to find out which is the best SUV for you.

2026 Mazda CX-50 Features & Specs

Type:

SUV

Trim:

2.5 S Select

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$29,900
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	26 MPG
Cost to Drive	$199/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	31.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Reliability

The 2026 Mazda CX-50 has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and no recalls.

Recalls

There are no recalls for the 2026 Mazda CX-50

Warranty

3 years / 36,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles

Where the Mazda CX-50 ranks:

#10 in Small SUVs

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Safety

Key safety features on the CX-50 include:

Back-up camera
Blind Spot Monitoring
Lane Departure Warning
Tire Pressure Warning
Stability Control
Pre-collision safety system
Post-collision safety system

NHTSA Overall Rating 5 out of 5 stars

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating	Rating
Overall	5 / 5
Driver	5 / 5
Passenger	5 / 5
Side Crash Rating	Rating
Overall	5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating	Rating
Overall	5 / 5
Driver	5 / 5
Passenger	5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings	Rating
Front Seat	5 / 5
Back Seat	5 / 5
Rollover	Rating
Rollover	4 / 5
Dynamic Test Result	No Tip
Risk Of Rollover	Not Rated

Research other CX-50 years

FAQ

Is the Mazda CX-50 a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2026 CX-50 both on the road and at the track, giving it a 6.8 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2026 CX-50 gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 66 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that carrying capacity for the CX-50 ranges from 29.2 to 31.4 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Mazda CX-50. Learn more

What's new in the 2026 Mazda CX-50?

According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2026 Mazda CX-50:

Outdoorsy Meridian trim available with base engine
Minor changes to trim level lineup and standard feature availability
Part of the first CX-50 generation introduced for 2023

Learn more

Is the Mazda CX-50 reliable?

To determine whether the Mazda CX-50 is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the CX-50. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the CX-50's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 2026 Mazda CX-50 a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2026 Mazda CX-50 is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2026 CX-50 and gave it a 6.8 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2026 CX-50 gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 66 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2026 CX-50 is a good car for you. Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2026 Mazda CX-50?

The least-expensive 2026 Mazda CX-50 is the 2026 Mazda CX-50 2.5 S Select 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $29,900.

Other versions include:

2.5 S Select 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A) which starts at $29,900
2.5 S Preferred 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A) which starts at $32,400
2.5 S Meridian Edition 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A) which starts at $33,150
Hybrid Preferred 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) which starts at $34,750
2.5 S Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A) which starts at $34,900
2.5 Turbo 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) which starts at $37,900
Hybrid Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) which starts at $38,150
2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) which starts at $40,400
Hybrid Premium Plus 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) which starts at $40,450
2.5 Turbo Premium Plus 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) which starts at $42,900

Learn more

What are the different models of Mazda CX-50?

If you're interested in the Mazda CX-50, the next question is, which CX-50 model is right for you? CX-50 variants include 2.5 S Select 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A), 2.5 S Preferred 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A), 2.5 S Meridian Edition 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6A), and Hybrid Preferred 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT). For a full list of CX-50 models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in New York

$199/mo

$259/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

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2026 Mazda CX-50

Pricing

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Edmunds Expert Rating

Driving experience

Comfort

In-cabin tech

Storage & cargo

Value

MPG

X factor

Buying Tips for the 2026 Mazda CX-50 for November

2026 Mazda CX-50 trim level differences

Which CX-50 trim does Edmunds recommend?

Competitors to consider

Edmunds spotlight: Affordable luxury

Mazda CX-50 Reviews

Owner Reviews

Owners Say

Most Helpful Owner Review

2026 Mazda CX-50 video

2026 Mazda CX-50 Features & Specs

Reliability

Recalls

Warranty

Where the Mazda CX-50 ranks:

Check a dealer's price

Safety

Key safety features on the CX-50 include:

NHTSA Overall Rating 5 out of 5 stars

FAQ

Is the Mazda CX-50 a good car?

What's new in the 2026 Mazda CX-50?

Is the Mazda CX-50 reliable?

Is the 2026 Mazda CX-50 a good car?

How much should I pay for a 2026 Mazda CX-50?

What are the different models of Mazda CX-50?

Cost to Drive