2023 Mazda CX-50 Meridian Video, Review And Pricing

By: Joshua Lee
March 18, 2023

The SUV craze is still running fervently, and it doesn’t look like it will stop anytime soon. A trend has started to appear among manufacturers to offer rugged, off-road-ready variants of their SUVs and crossovers. Ford has its Timberline, Subaru has its Wilderness, Honda has its TrailSport, and now Mazda has joined with the ‘Meridian Edition.’ Last year, we loved reviewing their newest compact SUV, the CX-50 GT Turbo, but we can’t help wondering what the ‘Meridian Edition’ would be like with thicker tires and added extras like that roof platform.

Mazda Canada has lent us their 2023 CX-50 Meridian Edition so we can test its off-road capability. The Meridian Edition has the same engine as the GT Turbo, a SkyActiv 2.5L turbocharged inline-four-cylinder engine producing 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque at 2,500RPM using 93 octane, or 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque at 2,000RPM using 87 octane. The CX-50 is engaging and fun to drive, with the six-speed automatic transmission and engine providing ample power and smoothness.

There are four driving modes in the Mi-Drive system: normal, sport, off-road, and towing (capable of 3,500 pounds or 1,588 kilograms). No matter which mode you put the CX-50 in, you always feel confident behind the wheel as Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control Plus enhances stability by adjusting engine throttle and applying light braking pressure to the outer wheels, straightening the vehicle after a corner. We loved putting it into Sport mode as steering response tightens up and the exhaust note becomes louder. With 8.6 inches of ground clearance, it’s similar to that of the Jeep Renegade, Ford Explorer Timberline, and Subaru Forester (The Wilderness trim has 9.2 inches).

Despite not looking like a tall, boxy SUV, it’s 0.5 inches higher than the Honda Passport TrailSport. Don’t get too excited, though; we do feel the CX-50 is more on the sporty side as the suspension is quite firm. It comes standard with AWD, and putting it in off-road mode helps prevent the wheels from spinning, but it doesn’t have hill-descent control or a terrain management system like in the Bronco Sport.

What makes the CX-50 Meridian Edition different from a normal CX-50 (reviewed here) isn’t much. Our Polymetal Grey Metallic Meridian Edition is a visual package that adds 18-inch black metallic alloy wheels with 225/60R18 Falken Wildpeak all-terrain tires, black wheel locks, and lug nuts, matte black headlamp garnish, side rocker garnish, and hood graphics. You can also add the $1,400 Apex package, which gives you roof-mounted black crossbars, a roof platform, and splash guards.

Same goes for the interior, although this time we have terracotta leather with orange stitching. The CX-50 feels avant garde with its high-quality materials. We love the attention to detail with the stitching on the seats, dashboard, and door panels tying into the minimal gloss black and metal trims. Once you step in, it feels more like a wagon than an SUV. The seats are very comfortable, and it is easy to find a suitable driving position. In the center, you’ll find a 10.25-inch partial touchscreen when you’re using wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The issue is that the screen is placed so far forward in the cabin that you won’t be able to reach it. Thankfully, there is a rotary dial to control the infotainment system and adjust settings for the 12-speaker premium Bose sound system. Cargo room ranges from 889L with the seats up to 1595L folded down.

The CX-50 also comes loaded with safety features such as blind spot monitoring system, radar cruise control, automatic emergency braking, parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, lane departure warning and lane keep assist, and pedestrian detection. Traffic Jam Assist works with the adaptive cruise control and provides steering assistance to keep the vehicle centered in the lane; we were unsuccessful in getting this function to work.

According to Mazda Canada, fuel economy ratings are 10.4L/100KM city, 8.1L/100KM highway, for a combined 9.4L/100KM. Ours was a little higher with 9.9L/100KM.

Pricing starts at $38,250 for the GS-L, $43,200 for the GT, and $48,200 for the Meridian. Our test vehicle comes to $57,379.71 after taxes and delivery.

You should certainly be keeping an eye out for the CX-50. Its sporty good looks, luxurious interior, and engaging driving dynamics make this an appealing competitor, but we wouldn’t spend the extra $5000 on the Meridian as it doesn’t differentiate itself much from its other trims. Looking at the spec sheet, the Meridian Edition is simply an appearance package fitted to the GT trim. It is not a true off-roader, but looking the part is a good start. Perhaps Mazda will add some mechanical upgrades in the future so it can handle rough terrain.