2026 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus Overview & Take a look at Drive : Automotive Addicts

Automotive

Simply by the variety of new Mazdas I see on the highway, I can inform there’s been a shift within the model, with the lots catching on to automobiles that ship first rate worth and near-luxury appointments wrapped in a considerably sporty bundle. The Mazda CX-50 has been an enormous a part of such a shift from its introduction as a 2023 mannequin 12 months, capturing what many liked within the standard CX-5 and making a barely trendy various.

Efficiency and Driving Character

For the 2026 mannequin 12 months, the Mazda CX-50 continues with out many notable adjustments. That sporty nature of the CX-50 is retained, particularly in my check automobile’s turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. That vigorous feeling is a welcoming and essential side of the CX-50 in its top-level Turbo Premium Plus trim. The all-wheel-drive system and the ample 310 lb-ft of torque do amazingly by way of the midrange energy band, the place the CX-50 stays firmly planted with none tire-slipping drama. That sporty nature of the CX-50 comes alive by way of again roads, although the trip high quality could be a little harsh going over some highway imperfections. Nonetheless, there’s a welcoming smoothness of the suspension with its fixed-rate dampers whenever you go over bigger highway rides and undulations. Among the highway harshness feels as whether it is an attribute to the big 20-inch wheels on the CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus trim wrapped with tires which have smaller sidewalls. Both manner, the CX-50 places its sporty character simply barely in entrance of its premium and luxury-like theme with glorious dealing with and warranted driving character.

So as to add to the sporty nature of the CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus is the fast steering rack that exudes an impressed confidence in driving the small crossover. One factor to notice is that the two.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine produces 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque by way of using common unleaded gasoline. When you change over to the really useful premium gasoline, you’ll profit from the addition of about 29 horsepower and 10 lb-ft of torque, bringing the overall output to 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque. Such a bounce in energy is felt extra by way of the higher finish of the rev vary, the place the engine feels prefer it has extra steam up excessive simply earlier than the 6-speed computerized transmission makes its shift. With premium gasoline, zero to 60 mph ticks off in about 6.9 seconds. Having the 6-speed computerized transmission might appear to be a downside contemplating many different opponents go for no less than an 8-speed auto or CVT, however contemplating the turbocharged engine’s respectable torque, the CX-50 does simply high quality managing the 6 cogs. There’s a hybrid trim for the CX-50, which touts a mixed 38 mpg and a complete of 219 horsepower.

See Additionally: 2023 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus Overview & Take a look at Drive

Gas Economic system

Gas financial system might take a small hit with the 6-speed computerized within the CX-50 Turbo when in comparison with others. Nonetheless, it’s slightly simple in the true world to match the EPA estimates of 23 mpg metropolis, 29 mpg freeway, and 25 mpg mixed. A 15.9-gallon gasoline tank offers you a freeway cruising vary of about 461 miles.

Inside and Know-how

Whereas the brand new Mazda CX-5 has obtained some noteworthy updates, the CX-50 retains its custom with its inside format that feels premium however nonetheless lacks within the space of its infotainment unit, which is simply a touchscreen when you’re utilizing the USB-connected or wi-fi Apple CarPlay or Android Auto when the automobile involves a cease. In any other case, the far-reaching display should be interacted with by way of the standard central controller and its set of core perform buttons simply behind the gear shifter. Such a setup has lengthy been a sore spot for a lot of within the Mazda camp. Nonetheless, there could also be a reprise on the horizon, as the newest Mazda CX-5 obtained an up to date infotainment setup that’s mentioned to be ‘higher’ in some ways with a big, easy-to-reach, all-time touchscreen.

The seating areas of the Mazda CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus are first rate, with slightly comfortable seats, however they are usually a bit agency initially. The seating tunnels up entrance could be a little slim for taller people, the place your knees might bang the perimeters. In any other case, the entrance heated and ventilated leather-based seats are supportive and have a superb quantity of adjustability for different-sized people.

Out again, the outboard seats have heating and still have a good quantity of house. The cargo space presents up 31 cubic ft of space for storing, and by manually folding down the 60/40-split seatbacks, you open the realm to about 56 cubic ft.

Security

Each Mazda CX-50 trim comes commonplace with a powerful suite of energetic security tech, akin to radar cruise management with stop-and-go, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning with lane-keep help, and a driver consideration alert. Stepping as much as my range-topping CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus primarily provides a couple of extras: entrance and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree surround-view digicam, rear sensible brake assist, visitors jam help, and blind spot help.

Pricing

Very like the CX-5, the Mazda CX-50 brings stable worth to the desk with a beginning value of $29,900. That mentioned, the quantity climbs shortly whenever you transfer into the higher trims, with my check automobile touchdown at $44,620 as outfitted, together with the $1,495 supply, processing, and dealing with charge. Even so, in a crowded crossover section, the CX-50 continues to carry its personal, due to its sporty character, sturdy turbocharged punch, and an upscale appear and feel inside and outside.

Malcolm Hogan is the founder and editor of Automotive Addicts, a trusted voice within the automotive media world for over 20 years. With 20+ years of hands-on expertise masking the business, Malcolm has constructed a popularity for delivering sincere opinions, sharp insights, and in-depth protection of every thing from new automobile debuts to high-performance check drives. Passionate in regards to the evolving automobile tradition and staying forward of the curve, Malcolm continues to steer Automotive Addicts as a go-to vacation spot for fans and business insiders alike.