For now, the addition of the CX-50 represents a plus for the Japanese automaker. Mazda says the CX-50 and CX-5 vehicles may be similar, but they target different buyers. And it maintains that there is enough activity in the mass-market compact crossover segment for two complementary offerings.
Last year, the segment yielded 2.2 million sales industrywide.
Mazda has designed the CX-50 to appeal to outdoorsy shoppers. It is longer and wider than the CX-5 and has more utilitarian styling. It also has a wider stance, more cargo space, a host of accessory options and an off-road drive mode.
When equipped with the turbo engine, its 3,500-pound tow rating has a 1,500-pound improvement over the CX-5’s.
Mazda maintains that, between the two models, the CX-5 will be the premium choice for urbanites, especially since a freshening for the 2022 model year gave it a front and rear face-lift, suspension changes and updated seats.
Both vehicles offer standard all-wheel drive and have the same 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission with 187 hp and 186 pound-feet of torque. They also both offer an optional turbocharged upgrade that boosts output to 256 hp and 320 pound-feet of torque.
