The CX-50’s Place in Mazda’s Lineup and the Broader SUV Game

If you’ve been tracking Mazda’s recent strategy, you know the CX-50 is no ordinary family hauler. Introduced for 2023, and now refreshed for 2025, it’s Mazda’s answer to a market awash in compact SUVs think Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, and Ford Bronco Sport. The CX-50 slots above the city-friendly CX-5 and just below the more premium CX-70. It’s built in Alabama, aimed squarely at North American tastes: longer, a touch wider, with a rugged design that hints at weekend trailheads rather than mall parking lots.

Design Notes: Rugged Looks Meet Mazda Elegance

Mazda’s designers have always had a knack for athletic proportions, and the CX-50 carries this forward with squared-off wheel arches, pronounced fender flares, and a subtly aggressive grille. For 2025, exterior tweaks are minimal a fresh palette of paint options, new wheel designs but the core shape remains familiar. There’s a purposeful stance here that feels more Subaru Outback than Honda CR-V. Real-world note: The doors close with a solid thunk that belies its mainstream badge.

Inside the Cabin: Where Buttons Meet Big Screens

Step inside and you’ll notice Mazda’s typical restraint clean lines, minimal clutter, and materials that edge into near-luxury territory on higher trims. The infotainment system (a 10.25-inch or optional 12.3-inch display) is perched high on the dash, controlled via a rotary knob rather than touch a deliberate choice some drivers love for its tactile feedback. Others might miss the simplicity of tapping icons directly. There’s a satisfying click to the climate control dials and just enough heft to the steering wheel to remind you this isn’t an appliance. Cargo space is competitive but not best-in-class 31.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats (expandable to just over 56 cubes with seats folded). By comparison, the Toyota RAV4 ekes out a bit more room, but the CX-50’s load floor is flat and low handy for bulky gear or dogs who don’t like to jump.

Under the Hood: Powertrains with Personality

Mazda keeps things straightforward for 2025: two engine choices carried over from last year. 

  • Base models get a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder (187 hp, 186 lb-ft) paired to a six-speed automatic.
  • Step up to the Turbo trim and you unlock a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (up to 256 hp on premium fuel, or 227 hp on regular), also mated to the same six-speed auto.

 All-wheel drive is standard across the lineup a notable point of differentiation versus front-drive rivals like the CR-V or Rogue. On paper, Mazda lags behind hybrids like the RAV4 Hybrid (219 combined hp) or CR-V Hybrid (204 hp), both of which return significantly higher EPA ratings (often mid-30s mpg combined). The CX-50 Turbo nets 23 mpg city/29 highway/25 combined per EPA; non-turbo versions do slightly better. In my weeklong test averaging mostly suburban routes with some light off-roading thrown in, I saw about 24 mpg overall par for the segment but not exceptional.

Driving Impressions: That Unexpected Mazda Magic

If you’re new to Mazda crossovers, here’s your first pleasant surprise: they drive with more verve than you’d expect from something this practical. Steering has real weight; there’s genuine feedback through corners; body roll is controlled yet never punishing. The turbo engine delivers a smooth surge of torque from low revs passing on two-lane highways is brisk and drama-free. Noise insulation impresses at highway speeds a smidge quieter than a Subaru Forester and noticeably less wind noise than a Ford Bronco Sport. The suspension soaks up potholes with firm composure but doesn’t float like some rivals (the Hyundai Tucson comes to mind). There’s an underlying tautness here that makes even mundane commutes feel just slightly elevated.

Living With It: Owner Insights From Detroit Streets

Real-world usability matters just as much as spec sheets. I spoke with several local owners who highlighted strengths: all-weather traction (thanks to standard AWD), intuitive controls (especially physical buttons for essentials), and understated styling that ages well. Not everything is perfect. Some owners mention rear seat legroom feels tighter than expected especially compared to spacious Honda or Hyundai competitors. Others wish for better fuel economy or lament that turbo models require premium gas for peak output (though they’ll run fine on regular with less oomph).

How Does It Stack Up? RAV4s, Subarus & More

The compact SUV field is brutally competitive in 2025: 

  • Toyota RAV4: Edges out in cargo space and hybrid efficiency but can’t match Mazda’s interior tactility or handling finesse.
  • Honda CR-V: Roomier rear quarters and stellar reliability reputation; dynamically competent but less engaging behind the wheel.
  • Subaru Forester: Standard AWD like Mazda; excels at cargo utility and off-road cred but lacks powertrain pizzazz.
  • Ford Bronco Sport: More overtly rugged, especially in Badlands trim; noisier cabin and less refined road manners.

 Where does the CX-50 shine? It balances style, driving enjoyment, and upscale ambiance better than most mainstream rivals especially if you prize how a car feels from behind the wheel rather than how many USB ports it offers.

The Trade-Offs: A Few Gripes Among the Grins

No car is perfect and Mazda makes deliberate choices here. Fuel economy trails hybridized rivals; rear seat space may disappoint growing families; some will prefer touchscreen controls over rotary dials. Towing maxes out at 3,500 pounds with the turbo engine a solid figure for bikes or small campers but outgunned by certain Bronco Sport trims.

The Verdict: A Driver's Compact SUV With Real Character

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 isn’t trying to be everything to everyone and that’s its charm. If you crave sharp design inside and out, value engaging driving dynamics in your daily routine, and want standard AWD without Subaru quirks or Toyota ubiquity, it lands near the top of my list. It isn’t as frugal as a hybrid nor as cavernous as some rivals but every time I slipped into its supportive driver’s seat and felt that reassuring click of the shifter in my hand, I remembered why some folks keep coming back to Mazda year after year. For drivers who want their compact SUV to be more than just another box on wheels the CX-50 still gets my nod as one of Detroit’s best-kept secrets in this hotly contested segment.