2023 Mazda CX-50 Preview
Since North Americans tend to gobble up all the SUVs in sight (it may be an exaggeration), Mazda has decided to offer a new one in the form of the CX-50, to be manufactured at their new plant in Huntsville, Alabama. Coming standard with all-wheel-drive, it is designed for customers who travel off the roadways more often than most and comes with Mazda Intelligent Drive Select which provides various driving modes that can accommodate the various conditions the CX-50 finds itself in. With a new SUV that can appeal to the weekend outdoor enthusiasts, Mazda wants the CX-50 to become a go-to for even more SUV shoppers.
In the powertrain department, customers will have two engines to choose from at launch. The base engine will be a 4-cylinder unit that makes around 187 horsepower while those who desire more grunt can opt for a turbocharged version that should generate an estimated 250 horsepower. A hybrid powertrain will come later for shoppers looking for additional fuel efficiency. In a first for Mazda, the CX-50 will be available with a panoramic moonroof.
As the CX-50 was designed with a focus on adventuring, the height and length were optimized to easily carry common outdoor equipment like kayaks and bicycles. In addition, the CX-50 gets high-strength roof rails as well as reinforced B-pillars and door jambs so the body can sustain the weight of cargo secured on the roof. With more vehicles aimed at those who “get out” coming onto the market, the CX-50 will in all likelihood set itself apart through its Mazda-tuned driving dynamics, making it both fun to drive yet incredibly adaptable.
