Mazda has took the wraps off of the brand new 2023 CX-50 that joins the brand’s expanding SUV range next to the similar-sized CX-5. The rugged-looking off-roader is the Japanese brand’s attempt at a rugged off-roader that doesn’t sacrifice too much on-road performance in the pursuit of capability. Set to be built at Mazda and Toyota’s new joint plant in Huntsville, Alabama, with production starting in early 2022, the CX-50 will hit dealer showrooms next year. Much like the CX-5, the new CX-50 is powered by Mazda’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Customers will at first only be offered a choice of that engine in its naturally aspirated or turbocharged form, the automaker promises to introduce more hybrid options to the model soon after launch, though.
In the CX-5, the naturally aspirated
Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter engine produces 187 hp and 252 Nm of torque. The turbocharged Skyactiv-G 2.5 Turbo produces 250 hp and 434 Nm of torque. According to Dave Coleman,
Mazda’s North American manager of vehicle dynamics, the company didn’t want to
get too deep in the weeds with the off-road technology when designing the new
vehicle. According to his research, most outdoor trips involve hundreds of
miles of pavement driving, and just 10-20 miles of off-road driving right at
the end. The company instead is focusing on how to use its on-road prowess to
design a vehicle that drives as you would expect no matter the surface.
That means having an off-road mode, but no
surface modes. Unlike in other vehicles, the CX-50 doesn’t offer a sand,
gravel, snow, or whatever mode because, although that sounds fun in a showroom,
it ends up being confusing in the real world, where surfaces tend to be made up
of more than one material. As befits a rugged SUV, Mazda is offering its
i-Activ All-Wheel Drive technology and Intelligent Drive Select as standard on
the CX-50, but it’s not always being used for its torque. The towing mode, for
instance, changes the shift schedule to account for the extra weight of a
trailer, but it also load up the g-vectoring control to account for the weight
taken off the front wheels. Through that tuning, it hopes to make the SUV steer
more like it would without a trailer and avoid a wobble. And with the AWD
system loaded with torque, it also attempts to make the drive more stable.
The off-road mode similarly attempts to
improve turn-in response to account for the lack of front grip. The AWD system
also gets pre-loaded in this scenario, but not for the extra torque. Rather,
it’s to make the front and rear wheels turn at the same rate to make handling
more predictable. The CX-50 also gets extra ride height for more capability, as
well as reinforced B-pillars, high-strength roof rails, and more to help it
carry even more stuff on top. A new panoramic moonroof, meanwhile, will help
stargazers see more, provided there’s no kayak obscuring their view.
Inside, too, the vehicle will be designed
to accommodate all the gear you could possibly need for a weekend in the woods,
although Mazda hasn’t revealed any dimensions. To ensure that the driver still
feels like the main focus of the interior, the cockpit has been designed to
unfold symmetrically around the driver’s axis. That, the company says, creates
a sense of engagement and connection. Photos of the interior, meanwhile, reveal
plenty of leather and premium materials that should make any occupant feel
comfortable. Although the CX-50 is built in the same Alabama plant as Toyota’s
Corolla Cross, Mazda says that the vehicles coming out of its side of the
factory are separate from those built on Toyota’s.
Expect pricing and more details to be
unveiled closer to the CX-50’s market introduction, later next year.
