2023 Mazda CX-50 Priced Like An Affordable Luxury Car

Few mainstream crossovers make us swoon like the Mazda CX-5. The CX-5 is a perfect combination of attractive design, a premium interior, and thrilling driving dynamics at an affordable price. Now, Mazda has introduced a more rugged version that looks to challenge the Subaru Forester. The 2023 Mazda CX-50 began production at a new Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM) facility in Alabama last month. Today, the CX-50 gets a price tag.

The base CX-50 2.5 S starts at $26,800 (plus a $1,225 destination fee), making it only $900 more expensive than the CX-5. Like the base CX-5, the CX-50 uses a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. Power still goes out through a six-speed automatic transmission to a standard i-Activ all-wheel-drive system. The CX-50 also includes a new Mazda Intelligent Drive Select system (Mi-Drive) with Sport, Off-Road, and Towing modes on select packages.

As standard, the CX-50 comes well-equipped with an 8.8-inch display, eight-speaker audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, remote keyless entry with push-button start, a 7-inch TFT instrument cluster display, and more. Standard safety equipment includes city braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, driver attention alert, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Stepping up to the 2.5 S Select for $28,200 adds dual-zone automatic climate control with rear passenger vents, leather-wrapped shifter/steering wheel, LED interior lighting, 40/60 split-folding rear seat, 10.25-inch color center display, HD radio, and black wheels. The 2.5 S Preferred gets a few more features for $29,500, including heated mirrors, heated seats with an eight-way driver's seat, font/rear center armrest with storage, and power rear liftgate. If you want Mazda's first-ever panoramic roof, you have to get the 2.5 S Preferred Plus Package for $31,940. That's basically the only upgrade in this trim level.