2023 Mazda CX-50 GT Turbo

By : Krish Persaud
August 15, 2022

It is not a secret that Mazda has mastered the formula for producing best sellers; in the popular compact crossover segment, the Mazda CX-5 consistently leaves consumers wanting more year after year. With the CX-3 and CX-30, Mazda’s compact SUV lineup meets the needs of all buyers.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 is a new addition to the lineup; it shares its platform with the CX-30 and slots neatly between the CX-5 and the CX-9. When compared to rivals like the Ford Bronco Sport and the Subaru Forester, the all-new Mazda CX-50 is a more luxurious option while maintaining the same off-road prowess. We reached out to our friends at Mazda Canada and they happily granted us some good seat time with the fully loaded 2023 Mazda CX-50 GT Turbo.

The CX-50 currently has two powertrain options, starting with a naturally aspirated SkyActiv-G 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with Cylinder Deactivation. Our test vehicle had the most powerful option, a SkyActiv-G 2.5-litre turbocharged inline-four engine mated to a SkyActiv six-speed automatic transmission that happily produces 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on 91-octane fuel or 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque on 87-octane fuel. The turbocharged inline-four cylinder engine produces a great deal of power on demand, and in the CX-50 it performs admirably in all types of driving conditions. The engine’s power delivery is fiery, and it does an excellent job of accelerating quickly to highway speeds.

The fuel economy rating for the 2023 CX-50 GT Turbo is 10.4L/100km in the city and 8.1L/100km on the highway. Even with some spirited driving, we observed a respectable 9.4L/100km over the course of our evaluation period. However, the CX-50’s 60-litre fuel tank is a bit on the small side, so keep that in mind for long road trips.

You will find the ride quality of the 2023 Mazda CX-50 GT Turbo to be firm in some instances but adequate, as the suspension absorbs road imperfections with minimal disruption to your comfort. It did not appear that the 20-inch alloy wheels with 245/45/R 20 tires significantly compromised the vehicle’s comfort. On longer drives, the heated and ventilated front seats are comfortable and have good padding and side bolstering, but the rear seats feel a bit flat and are not as comfortable on the bottom. You’ll appreciate the nicely weighted steering, which seems to effectively communicate between drive modes such as sport, off-road, normal and towing modes. With the seats up, the cargo capacity is 889 L offering an advantage over the competition.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 GT Turbo has a 10.25-inch infotainment centre display controlled by an HMI commander (a rotary dial located directly below the gear selector). The rotary dial can be difficult to use at first, but with a little patience, you can navigate the various menus with ease. You can enable Apple Carplay or Android Auto either wirelessly or by plugging it into the USB port in a few simple steps and then safely use voice commands while driving.

Thankfully, all trim levels are all-wheel-drive, beginning with the GS-L at $37,900, the GT at $42,850, and our test vehicle, the top-level CX-50 GT Turbo, which starts at $45,350 and comes standard with a variety of features, including 20-inch alloy wheels, Polymetal Grey Metallic paint, led headlights and taillights, heated front and rear leather seats, a heated steering wheel, and a 12-speaker Bose Premium Audio System.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 speaks to you in ways you wouldn’t expect in this segment. It offers a class-leading premium feel, lots of safety features, and a perfect-sounding Bose Premium Audio System. The CX-50 is capable of a spirited drive with a hint of MX-5 handling, and while it can’t beat its competition on the off-road capabilities, it is a winner on the on-road feel. Mazda is really on to something here; CX-5 loyalists now have a delightful option without having to leave the Mazda family