2023 Mazda CX-50 Looks Ready To Conquer The Wilderness As CX-5’s More Rugged Cousin

Mazda today took the wraps off of the brand new 2023 CX-50 that joins the brand’s expanding SUV range next to the similar-sized CX-5. The rugged-looking off-roader is the Japanese brand’s attempt at a rugged off-roader that doesn’t sacrifice too much on-road performance in the pursuit of capability.

Set to be built at Mazda and Toyota’s new joint plant in Huntsville, Alabama, with production starting in early 2022, the CX-50 will hit dealer showrooms next year.

Familiar Tech Under The Hood

Much like the CX-5, the new CX-50 is powered by Mazda’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Customers will at first only be offered a choice of that engine in its naturally aspirated or turbocharged form, the automaker promises to introduce more hybrid options to the model soon after launch, though.

In the CX-5, the naturally aspirated Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter engine produces 187 hp (139 kW / 190 PS) and 186 lb-ft (252 Nm) of torque. The turbocharged Skyactiv-G 2.5 Turbo produces 250 hp (186 kW / 254 PS) and 320 lb-ft (434 Nm) of torque.

Off-Roady But Not Too Off-Roady

According to Dave Coleman, Mazda’s North American manager of vehicle dynamics, the company didn’t want to get too deep in the weeds with the off-road technology when designing the new vehicle. According to his research, most outdoor trips involve hundreds of miles of pavement driving, and just 10-20 miles of off-road driving right at the end.

“So compromising all of that on-road driving, just for a little bit of improvement off-road doesn’t make a whole lot of sense,” said Coleman. “Especially if you’re Mazda, with our expertise on-road. So we resolved to get the best off-road performance that we could without making any compromises in the on-road driving.”

The company instead is focusing on how to use its on-road prowess to design a vehicle that drives as you would expect no matter the surface.

“Mi-Drive modes are designed to give the same driving dynamics in different situations where the conditions are so different that we have to have different tuning to accomplish the same thing,” he explains.

That means having an off-road mode, but no surface modes. Unlike in other vehicles, the CX-50 doesn’t offer a sand, gravel, snow, or whatever mode because, although that sounds fun in a showroom, it ends up being confusing in the real world, where surfaces tend to be made up of more than one material.

AWD As Standard, But Maybe Not For The Reason You Think

As befits a rugged SUV, Mazda is offering its i-Activ All-Wheel Drive technology and Intelligent Drive Select as standard on the CX-50, but it’s not always being used for its torque. The towing mode, for instance, changes the shift schedule to account for the extra weight of a trailer, but it also load up the g-vectoring control to account for the weight taken off the front wheels. Through that tuning, it hopes to make the SUV steer more like it would without a trailer and avoid a wobble. And with the AWD system loaded with torque, it also attempts to make the drive more stable.

The off-road mode similarly attempts to improve turn-in response to account for the lack of front grip. The AWD system also gets pre-loaded in this scenario, but not for the extra torque. Rather, it’s to make the front and rear wheels turn at the same rate to make handling more predictable.

Built For Everything You Need

The CX-50 also gets extra ride height for more capability, as well as reinforced B-pillars, high-strength roof rails, and more to help it carry even more stuff on top. A new panoramic moonroof, meanwhile, will help stargazers see more, provided there’s no kayak obscuring their view.

Inside, too, the vehicle will be designed to accommodate all the gear you could possibly need for a weekend in the woods, although Mazda hasn’t revealed any dimensions.

To ensure that the driver still feels like the main focus of the interior, the cockpit has been designed to unfold symmetrically around the driver’s axis. That, the company says, creates a sense of engagement and connection. Photos of the interior, meanwhile, reveal plenty of leather and premium materials that should make any occupant feel comfortable.

Made In America Alongside Toyota’s Corolla Cross

Although the CX-50 is built in the same Alabama plant as Toyota’s Corolla Cross, Mazda says that the vehicles coming out of its side of the factory are separate from those built on Toyota’s.

“Each vehicle’s platform and core components are unique,” a Mazda spokesperson told Carscoops. “Both Toyota and Mazda are responsible for sourcing and procurement of their own parts/components, but some materials are shared to make the most of the joint venture.”

Expect pricing and more details to be unveiled closer to the CX-50’s market introduction, later next year.