2026 Mazda CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus - Review by David Colman

A Freeway Cruiser and a Backroad Bruiser

David Colman

Story and Photos by David Colman
Special Correspondent
THE AUTO CHANNEL

Mazda's latest Turbo Premium Plus CX-50 occupies the top rung of the food chain when it comes to compact SUVs. With its exterior handsomely finished in Cypress Green, and its interior strikingly stitched in Cypress white and black leather, the CX-50 I spent a week testing proved its mettle as both a freeway cruiser and a backroad bruiser.

After just 15 minutes with the CX-50, my wife enthusiastically observed "I could do this." Like me, she prioritizes handling, appearance and price. In those three categories, the Turbo Premium Plus CX-50 we tested filled the bill. Its stubby and purposeful design, hereditary Mazda-quick reflexes, unexpectedly satisfying burst of speed, and delightful exhaust note all combined to make us both believers.

Car & Driver's latest "New Car and Truck Buyer's Guide" reached the same conclusion. Of the 8 competing vehicles they tested, the CX-50 walked away with top honors. Within the past year I have tested 5 of those 8 contestants, and I too agree with C&D's conclusion. The CX-50, done up like the one we tested, tops the rest because it provides a more rewarding driving experience.

You can easily configure your Mazda's performance to the kind of road you're tackling. The Mi-Drive mode switch is conveniently located atop the transmission tunnel, and offers four settings: Normal/Sport/Off-Road and Towing. While it may be hard to believe, this diminutive SUV is tow-rated at 3,500 pounds thanks to its 320 lb.-ft. torque output. Mazda will even sell you a CX-specific trailer hitch with a 7-pin harness for $560. Let's say your day's journey starts out with a back road stint which requires a lot of steering input and throttle modulation. After you select Sport from Mi-Drive, grab hold of the stubby lever that controls the 6-speed automatic gearbox and slide the stick sideways into the "M" (for Manual) mode. Now all forward gear choices are consigned to the handy paddles affixed to the spokes of the leather-rimmed steering wheel.

After a few exploratory turns to assess the level of grip available from Goodyear's Eagle Touring 245/45R20 M&S rated radials (TW 500), you're ready to attack your favorite piece of twisting macadam with vigor. A couple of exhilarating turns later will almost convince you you're driving a Miata that just happens to look like an SUV. In fact this CX-50 is capable of generating enough lateral grip to make you wish the driver's seat offered more side bolstering to keep you locked in place.

Okay, so backroad bash done, you're off to your next piece of test track, California's ubiquitous freeway system. A short, stubby entrance ramp means you need to build speed as quickly as possible in order to merge with the traffic flow which invariably cruises at 70mph, regardless of what the posted signs read. By now, I've relocated the gear selector to its fully automatic Drive position and bumped the Mi-Drive switch back to Normal. Laying into the throttle, I am suddenly and delightfully assaulted by the distinctive exhaust note generated by the turbocharged 16 valve inline-4. My wife and I exchange surprised glances as the CX-50 scoots across 4 lanes of freeway to assume its rightful position in the fast lane. The unexpected speed is far from illusory. This compact, box-like SUV sprints to 60mph in 6.4 seconds, takes just 14.9 seconds to snuff the standing start quarter mile at 92mph, and according to Mazda tops out at a stunning 142mph. Most SUVs in this class are all done at 100mph.

If the foregoing discussion seems to imply that Mazda's emphasis with the CX-50 is more on sports than utility, you are missing the point. If you flip down the rear seat backrests, you create a 56 cubic foot storage area. Even with all seats occupied, you still have 31 cubic feet of storage available. Our test CX came equipped with an optional $225 retractable cargo cover to keep your valuables hidden from sight. Rear window privacy glass also discourages prying eyes.

One of the CX's best kept secrets lies hidden beneath the floor of the cargo area. Lift the carpeted rear floorboard, and you will discover a fully inflated, full-size spare tire. This little treasure adds immeasurably to the Mazda's trustworthiness for off-road exploration. Nestled inside the spare wheel and tire, you will discover a huge subwoofer which contributes its base to the Premium Plus' standard 12 speaker Bose audio system.

This Mazda encourages spirited on-road driving while also equipping you for off-road exploration. It does both in a subtle and elegant fashion that belies its affordable price.

2026 MAZDA CX-50 2.5 TURBO PREMIUM PLUS

• ENGINE: 2.5 liter inline-4, turbocharged and intercooled, DOHC 16-valve, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
• HORSEPOWER: 256hp@5000rpm
• TORQUE: 320lb.-ft.@ 2500rpm
• FUEL CONSUMPTION: 23MPG City/29MPG Highway
• PRICE AS TESTED: $44,820

HYPES: Punches Above Its Weight Class

GRIPES: Baffling Rotary Controller for Infotainment

STAR RATING: 9.5 Stars out of 10

©2026 David E Colman