The Mazda CX-50 Turbo AWD

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 Turbo AWD is not exactly the replacement for the well-known and award-winning CX-5, because frankly the CX-5 will continue production. But that’s okay as there are customers for both vehicles. Here at Napleton News, we like to get our Zoom-Zoom on just like the next guy. So why not join us as we spend some time behind the wheel of Mazda’s CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus.

What moves the Mazda CX-50 Turbo?

The Mazda CX-50 AWD starts with a standard, naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 187 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque. Our tester was the CX-50 Turbo AWD, that means power was supplied by a turbocharged and intercooled 2.5-liter engine. This engine makes 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.

Both engines are matched to six-speed automatic transmissions with standard i-Active all-wheel drive, which senses wheel spin almost before it occurs. It is also equipped with MI-Drive, or as it’s also known, Intelligent Drive Select, which provides Normal, Sport and Off-road drive modes for those times when, you know, you’d like to drive off-road. In Sport mode, it’s designed to hold gears longer for quicker acceleration. The CX-50 is also equipped with Mazda’s traction control system. This is their version of torque vectoring. It will lower engine torque and operate the brakes to prevent loss of traction.

What does the Turbo look like?

The family resemblance is unmistakable. The jet engine intake is here, along with broad shoulders front and rear. Combine that with a long nose and a short tail clipped like a corgi, and you have a car that is aggressive and cute at the same time. It also features 0.7 of an inch of extra ground clearance over the CX-5 in case you want to get your CX-50 dirty.

Below the waistline of the CX-50, there is a lot of cladding. We’ve seen it on lighter painted cars where it is rather pronounced. If dark cladding is not your style, it’s best to stick with a deeper, darker colored paint that does its part in making the cladding less obvious.

How about indoors?

The interior of the CX-50 features a look that would not be out of place in a luxury car or SUV. Tan leather covers the heated and ventilated bucket seats keeping you cool or toasty as necessary. Our heated steering wheel included paddle shift levers that allow you to channel your inner race driver self. It’s a fun process that you may do for a while, or not.

The multimedia controller on the center console returns again. It generally requires a short learning curve before a driver operates it proficiently. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto mirror your smartphone on the display screen as well.

Cargo room is slightly less than what is in the smaller CX-5. Look for 31.4 cubic feet behind the second row seating. Fold those forward and you’ll find 56.3 cubic feet.

Behind the Wheel of the CX-50 Turbo

In real life and with full disclosure, I am the owner of a normally-aspirated Mazda CX-50. We love the way it handles, what it can carry, how it feels on the road and more. It’s the perfect roadtrip machine with the ability to carry a family of four in comfort. That means it’s good enough to go from around town to around the country.

Acceleration with the standard engine is adequate and what you would expect from the CX-50 and its competitors. The turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is another story entirely. It offers a potent kick in the pants that would put a smile on the face of any enthusiast. At the same time, it may give your mother-in-law in the back seat a bit of a thrill, but her mileage may vary.

We enjoyed the way there was quick power take up when cornering, with the all-wheel drive offering sure-footed grip as we pulled through the turn.

If we had our choice, the Turbocharged engine would be the only one available in the CX-50. It’s a blast to drive, and then some.

2024 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus Specifications