Initially expected on the Large Architecture with rear- and all-wheel drive, the Mazda CX-50 actually shares the Skyactiv-Vehicle Architecture with the CX-30 and Mazda3. Designed with standard AWD in mind, the U.S. model will enter production in January 2022 at MTM in Alabama.
The Huntsville-based Mazda Toyota Manufacturing assembly plant is where Toyota makes the Corolla Cross, which doesn’t share a single component with the CX-50 compact utility vehicle. On the oily bits front, American customers are offered two very familiar - and somewhat underwhelming - powertrains in the guise of the four-cylinder Skyactiv-G 2.5 and Skyactiv-G 2.5 Turbo.
Mazda isn’t prepared to confirm any output figures at the moment of reporting, but we already know the free-breathing mill offers 187 horsepower on 87-octane gasoline in the CX-5. The force-fed variant boasts 250 horsepower on 93-octane gasoline in the CX-5, which is exactly what Ford offers from 2.0 liters of displacement in the Bronco Sport Badlands.
A six-speed automatic transmission will have to suffice, which is another disappointing aspect in comparison to the competition. According to the attached press release, “the CX-50 will also be offered with electrified powertrains, including a traditional hybrid.” It remains to be seen if Mazda will do its own thing or borrow Toyota’s hybrid system as Subaru does.
“The CX-50 has been developed for North America, particularly to support the active and outdoor lifestyles of customers in this region,” said chief exec Jeff Guyton. “The CX-50 encourages people to immerse themselves in nature without compromising on the premium design and outstanding on-road performance Mazda is known for.” I would be ashamed to speak about on-road performance after Mazda switched to a torsion-beam rear suspension for the fourth-gen Mazda3, but then again, marketing is marketing.
On that note, the hot take on the brand-new CX-50 is that Mazda could’ve done much better had it not been strapped for cash due to the ever-growing expenses of battery-electric vehicles and autonomous driving tech.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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