Mazda CX-5 vs Mazda CX-50

If you’re looking for a premium small SUV, Mazda now offers two superb options. At our Mazda of Orange dealership in Orange, California, you can choose from the well-established Mazda CX-5 or the superb new Mazda CX-50. While these two vehicles might appear similar, a closer look reveals many differences that set them apart.

Mazda CX-5 vs. Mazda CX-50 Exterior Design

With its recently updated styling, the sleek and elegant, city-oriented Mazda CX-5 stands out from other compact SUVs on Orange County roads. The CX-50 shows off its off-roading credentials with higher ground clearance, rugged fender and body cladding, and high-strength roof rails.

Standard features for both models include LED headlights, auto high beams, daytime running lights, rain-sensing wipers, a roof spoiler, and mirrors with LED turn signals. Moving up the trim levels brings you such features as adaptive front lighting, a windshield wiper de-icer, automatic power-folding mirrors, rear privacy glass, LED taillights, and a programmable power liftgate.

Also available for the CX-50 are auto-leveling headlights and an auto-dimming driver’s mirror with memory. The CX-5 has standard 17-inch alloy wheels, while higher-spec trims get 19-inch rims. The CX-50 offers standard 17- or 20-inch alloys. The Meridian Edition adds unique body trim, hood graphics, and 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires.

Mazda CX-5 and CX-50 Size Comparison

On the outside, these Mazda models have slightly different dimensions, with the CX-50 being longer and wider but lower. The CX-5 is 180.1 inches long, 72.6 inches wide, and 64.4 inches high. By comparison, the CX-50 is 185.8 inches in length, 72.9 inches wide, and 63.9 inches in height.

Each SUV offers comfortable and spacious seating for five people. The CX-5 has slightly more headroom and shoulder room, while the CX-50 offers more legroom.

Mazda CX-5

• Headroom, front/rear: 39.3 / 39.0 inches.
• Legroom, front/rear: 41.0 / 39.6 inches.
• Shoulder room, front/rear: 57.1 / 54.8 inches.

Mazda CX-50

• Headroom, front/rear: 39.1 / 38.6 inches.
• Legroom, front/rear: 41.7 / 39.8 inches.
• Shoulder room, front/rear: 55.9 / 53.6 inches.

With the rear seats in place and its adjustable cargo area floor, the CX-5 gives you up to 30.8 cubic feet of space for your gear in the back. Folding the 40/20/40-split second-row seats creates up to 59.3 cubic feet of cargo space. The CX-50 has 31.4 cubic feet for cargo with the 60/40-split rear seats up, while folding them down gives you 56.4 cubic feet.

Power and Performance

Both the CX-5 and CX-50 come standard with a slick-shifting six-speed automatic transmission and the i-ACTIV all-wheel-drive system, and they offer the same choice of powertrains. As standard, you’ll find the smooth and reliable four-cylinder SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter engine that delivers 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. This engine returns up to 24 mpg in the city and 30 mpg for highway driving.

In the CX-5 and CX-50 Turbo models, the 2.5-liter engine is turbocharged to generate 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque with regular 87-octane gas. Filling up with premium 93 octane gas boosts the output to 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft. The turbocharged CX-5 model gives you up to 22 and 27 mpg for city and highway driving, while for the CX-50 turbo, the figures are 23 and 29 mpg respectively.

Available for the MX-5 and standard on the CX-50 is Mi-Drive intelligent drive select with normal, sport, and off-road modes for optimal handling in any conditions. CX-50 Turbo models add a towing mode. With the standard engine, both vehicles can tow up to 2,000 pounds, while the CX-50 Turbo offers a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, which is excellent for a small SUV.

The CX-5 has nimble and precise handling, whether you’re tackling the city streets or the open road. The available off-road driving mode combines traction control and steering to help keep you on track wherever you go. The CX-50 has even more adventurous capabilities with either 8.3 or 8.6 inches of ground clearance, and the Meridian Edition further offers all-terrain tires.

Stylish and Well-Appointed Cabins

Inside the CX-5 and CX-50, you’ll find a luxurious ambiance with premium materials and fine craftsmanship. As standard, the CX-5 offers a push-button start, a 4.6-inch driver information display, air conditioning, and a tilt and telescoping steering column. The base CX-50 adds a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, which is offered on all but the entry-level CX-5.

Depending on the trim level, available features include leatherette or full leather upholstery, power-adjustable seats, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, dual-zone climate control, a power moonroof, and paddle shifters. Higher-spec trims also offer a head-up display and traffic sign recognition.

Infotainment

To keep you entertained and informed, the base CX-5’s Mazda Connect infotainment system offers a 10.25-inch display, smartphone integration, Bluetooth, voice command, and a four-speaker audio system with HD and internet radio. Other CX-5 trims have a six-speaker sound system or a premium 10-speaker Bose system with satellite radio.

The entry-level CX-50 features an 8.8-inch display, Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay integration, and eight-speaker audio. All other trims get the 10.25-inch display, and the two top trims have a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The top-of-the-range CX-5 and CX-50 also offer a navigation system and a wireless phone charger.

Safety Features

The CX-5 and CX-50 help keep you in control with standard dynamic stability control, traction control, and an anti-lock braking system with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist. Hill launch assist ensures a smooth acceleration on inclines.

Standard driver assistance features for the CX-50 include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, radar cruise control with stop and go, lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and driver attention alert.

The CX-5 adds automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection but loses driver attention alert. The top trim of both the CX-5 and CX-50 adds automatic reverse braking, blind-spot assist, traffic-jam assist, a 360-degree monitor, and front and rear parking sensors.

To find out whether it’s the city-suited Mazda CX-5 or the rugged capabilities of the new Mazda CX-50 that fits your lifestyle, come see them for yourself at Mazda of Orange. Or simply contact us today to schedule a test drive.

Image by Crosby Hinze licensed with Unsplash license