Mazda has made no secret of its desire to move upmarket with a range of new rear-wheel-drive vehicles powered by inline-6 and plug-in hybrid powertrains.

Various patent drawings have shown up over the years and Mazda showcased the inline-6 and a new 8-speed automatic in an online presentation made last year.

Well, the wait is almost over. Australia's Wheels reported on Thursday that the first of the new rear-wheel-drive Mazdas will be a small crossover to be called the CX-50. It will reportedly debut in November at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show and start sales in early 2022 as a premium alternative to the CX-5.

This ties in with a Nikkei report from January that claimed the first two vehicles based on Mazda's new rear-wheel-drive platform would be crossovers mirroring the CX-5 and the larger CX-8 sold overseas.

A replacement for the Mazda 6 based on the rear-wheel-drive platform is expected to arrive in late 2022, and a large crossover to replace the CX-9 is also expected.

According to Wheels, Mazda's inline-6 will come in 3.0-liter gasoline and 3.3-liter diesel guises, with turbocharging and twin-turbocharging both possible.

Electrification is also said to be present. The inline-6 engines are said to feature mild-hybrid technology, while a plug-in hybrid setup using Mazda's existing 2.5-liter inline-4 is also said to be powertrain choice for the new rear-wheel-drive fleet.

Wheels also points to all-wheel drive being made available.

Mazda has previously failed going down the premium route with its Eunos brand of the 1990s. Will it work this time around? We'll have to wait and see.

Rumors of a Mazda CX-50 emerged back in July 2020, but the gossip turned out to be only partially true. Yes, a CX-50 was officially confirmed earlier this month, but not as a CX-5 replacement as originally speculated. Instead, it will be a new addition to the range as a larger and more spacious alternative to the CX-5, much like the CX-30 sits above the CX-3.

Partially revealing patent images of the first-ever CX-50 made the Internet rounds last week, and it didn't take too long for someone with Photoshop skills to turn them into renderings. Still very much unofficial, the digital drawings from Kolesa should paint an accurate picture of what to expect from the real thing, which is set to make its official debut next month.


Mazda won't be rocking the boat in terms of exterior appearance as we are getting the impression it will be more along the lines of a variation of the CX-5's design. That's not necessarily a bad thing since we find the Kodo design language still quite appealing, although we prefer it on a sedan rather than an SUV but that's a matter of taste.

While Mazda is working on a family of rear-wheel-drive SUVs with inline-six gasoline and diesel engines as well as plug-in hybrid powertrains, the CX-50 is not on that list. The CX-60 through CX-90 belong to what the Zoom-Zoom company refers to as the “Large Product Group” whereas the CX-50 is part of the "Small Product Group."

It will be mechanically related to the Mazda3 and CX-30, meaning it will utilize the same front-wheel-drive-based platform with available AWD. The turbocharged 2.5-liter gasoline engine seems likely given the vehicle's larger footprint, therefore its increased weight. It could pump out an identical 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet (434 Newton-meters) of torque delivered through both axles provided the engine runs on 93-octane fuel.

Following its official debut in November, the US-only CX-50 will enter production in January 2022 at the new factory Mazda and Toyota are building in Huntsville, Alabama. There's no word regarding pricing, but it goes without saying it will command a premium over the CX-5, available from $25,370 for the base 186-hp engine with FWD. Just to get an idea about the potential price difference, the CX-30 is only $1,260 more expensive than the CX-3.

Mazda took to the World Wide Web to tease a brand new product. The 15-second video, which was uploaded just a few hours ago on Mazda Canada’s official Twitter page, shows a crossover driving through a rain forest and carrying what appears to be a kayak/canoe on its roof.
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The clip is accompanied by a short caption that says “there is always a new terrain,” and “the journey begins 11/15,” which is when the vehicle will be officially shown to the world.

So, what are we looking at? In all likelihood, it is the Mazda CX-50, a crossover that was officially confirmed by the Japanese automaker just last month. It will help the company expand its high-riding portfolio, and will share its architecture with the Mazda3 and CX-30.

Production is set to kick off in January 2022, and it appears that the Mazda-Toyota joint venture facility in Huntsville, Alabama, will be charged with putting it together.

Contrary to previous reports, the CX-50 will not replace the CX-5, which recently received its mid-cycle refresh, as it will act as a standalone model. Moreover, it seems that it will be offered strictly in North America, but given the booming demand for such rides, we wouldn’t be surprised if it eventually makes its way to other markets.

Additional details on the new crossover are unknown, but we expect more teasers in the coming days, considering that it will be unveiled in less than a week. In the meantime, we will remind you that Mazda has a host of crossovers in development, so besides the CX-50, it will also launch the CX-60, CX-70, CX-80, and CX-90 next year and in 2023, and all of them will be built around a new platform. You can read more about it here, after hitting the play button on the video embedded down below, of course.

The Mazda CX-5 has been the automaker's best-seller this year so far, recording over 130,000 units sold as of date. It's a strong contender, so to speak, and Mazda is about to reinforce the model with another crossover that bears a similar nameplate, albeit with a small variation.

Mazda has confirmed the CX-50's arrival as the start of the crossover barrage up to CX-90. Unlike previous reports though, it won't be replacing the CX-5 in the lineup. In fact, it's bound to add 150,000 units to Mazda's US sales – that's if we're to take Mazda CEO Akira Marumoto's word, speaking to Automotive News.

According to Marumoto, the CX-50's introduction is an attempt to bolster and expand the automaker's SUV lineup. The US is an important market for the brand, representing around 70 percent of its global sales. The CX-50 is meant to strengthen Mazda's foothold in the SUV-hungry market.
"We have developed the car in line with requests from North American customers, so we have high expectations for the CX-50," Marumoto told Automotive News.

Marumoto said that the CX-50 will be around the same size as the CX-5 but it will have a wider tread and bigger cargo room, which should suit the American customers' tastes.

The Mazda CX-50 is expected to have its global reveal on November 15 based on the latest teaser that came out this week. It's bound to enter production in January 2022, to be built side-by-side with the Corolla Cross in the new Toyota-Mazda factory in Alabama.

Pricing for the Mazda CX-50 is yet to be revealed, though it's safe to say that it should command a little bit of premium over the CX-5, as with the case of the CX-30 over the CX-3.

Mazda has announced a whole expanded line-up of fresh SUVs coming in the next few years, and the first of them has finally been revealed. The 2023 Mazda CX-50 will fill a slot above the CX-30 with a size similar to the CX-5. And it will have a number of interesting features, including an upcoming hybrid powertrain.

The design looks like a more rugged and butch version of the CX-5. It has broader fenders with more detailed plastic flares. The grille has a bolder bezel and can be had in gloss black. There are even sporty matte black decals available for the hood. Mazda also noted that the rear doors were given particularly wide openings to make it easier to step on the sills for access to the roof rack. The interior is reminiscent of other Mazdas, with its minimal dash, large hidden air vents and emphasis on the instrument panel. But it gets touches such as the vertical air vents around the instruments that make it unique and a bit more squared-off in shape. It also features a new interior color called Terracotta.



Mazda has been quiet on a number of details concerning the CX-50, but it will have a couple of familiar engines to begin with. The base engine will be a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder, with a turbocharged version available as an option. Expect power for the base engine to be around 185 to 190 horsepower, and 250 horsepower for the turbo model. Both come paired with Mazda's six-speed automatic. All-wheel drive will be standard on all models, as this model is aimed at being more outdoorsy and off-road capable than other Mazdas. And if it sounds strange that Mazda is looking at a more "active lifestyle" sort of vehicle, it shouldn't. Besides the growing number of off-road-oriented options on sale, we learned from press materials of a rival automaker that the CX-5 is one of the more common vehicles used for camping and off-pavement excursions.

Multiple drive modes will be available, too, rather than just Normal and Sport. The additions are a Towing mode and an Off-Road mode. According to Mazda engineer Dave Coleman, only one off-road mode is offered to keep things simple. It makes some interesting changes such as making the G-Vectoring system more aggressive, which is the system that cuts torque on turn in to shift weight onto the front wheels for more grip. It also more fully engages the all-wheel drive to help keep wheels turning at the same rate for stability. On hills, hill-holding comes into play, the idle is raised for smoothly transitioning to throttle, and the torque converter doesn't lock up as soon to help the car ease over objects.

There are a number of other interesting tidbits. The CX-50 will be the first Mazda to be offered with a panoramic sunroof, and it will be the first to be produced at the new joint Mazda and Toyota factory in Alabama. It goes on sale next spring, and pricing will likely be announced closer to release

Mazda will collaborate with Toyota on the upcoming hybrid version of the 2023 CX-50 crossover, as vehicle dynamics engineer Dave Coleman confirmed that the SUV's gas-electric drivetrain will come from Toyota. The company isn't sharing any further details on the CX-50 hybrid yet, but it will be Mazda's first hybrid model since the Tribute, a twin to the Ford Escape.

​​​​​​​The CX-50 already has ties to Toyota, as it will be built in a new factory in Alabama shared between the two automakers. However, Coleman said that the nonhybrid CX-50—which uses a Mazda platform and Skyactiv gasoline engines—does not share any parts with the Toyota Corolla Cross that's also built there. The two crossovers are built on separate lines and fit into different size classes, with the Corolla Cross competing against subcompact SUVs and the CX-50 serving as a compact entry.

We think that the CX-50 hybrid will use a similar setup as the Toyota RAV4 hybrid, which has a 2.5-liter inline-four as its gasoline engine and two electric motor-generators. A hybrid version of the Corolla Cross is also in the cards, but, because of its smaller size, its powertrain is not likely to be powerful enough for the larger CX-50.

Expect to hear more about the CX-50 hybrid next year, as Mazda will likely release details a few months after the nonhybrid models go on sale in the spring.

The first-ever 2023 Mazda CX-50 rolled off the Discovery Line at the carmaker’s new Huntsville, Alabama plant. The made-in-USA crossover is aimed specifically at North American buyers, featuring strong driving dynamics and the ability to venture further into the outdoors.
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The facility itself is operated jointly by Mazda and Toyota – it's called Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM) - and began operations back in September of last year, targeting a total of 300,000 vehicles annually. Up to 150,000 units are expected to be manufactured each year for both Toyota and Mazda.

“This is an exciting day for both MTM team members and MNAO employees to celebrate the first CX-50 to roll off the Discovery Line at MTM,” said Toyota, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) president and CEO, Jeff Guyton.

“The production of the CX-50 here signifies the importance of the North American market to Mazda and our commitment to investing in the U.S.”

All 2023 CX-50 models will come standard with the latest I-Activ All-Wheel Drive technology, as well as Mazda Intelligent Drive Select, or Mi-Drive. At launch, the CX-50 will be available with either a Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine or the Skyactiv-G 2.5 Turbo, mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox – rest assured that electrified powertrains are coming (in the following years), including a traditional hybrid model.

As for the interior, Mazda considers it to be “well-crafted”, featuring a driver-focused layout. It also offers Mazda’s first-ever panoramic moonroof and a cargo area designed to help support and enable outdoor activities. Meanwhile, the high strength roof rails and reinforced B-pillars and door jambs help when it comes to securing equipment on the roof of the new crossover.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 will be available this spring, with various pre-production trim and accessories shown in the press release expected to be made available later this year. We’re curious to see how well it will be received in comparison to the well-established CX-5 and CX-9.

Mazda will expand its lineup of crossovers later this year with the addition of the CX-50. It’s positioned as a rugged sibling to the CX-5 that’s a tad longer and wider, but the two are close in price and size. Mazda introduced the CX-50 in November, but we’re just now learning its price. The 2023 CX-50 will start at $28,025, including that $1,225 destination charge. A full pricing chart is located below.

The entry-level CX-50 2.5 S comes with a swathe of standard equipment that includes wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, an eight-speaker audio system, push-button start, and a suite of safety features such as blind-spot monitoring, land departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keep assist. A naturally aspirated Skayactiv-G 2.5-liter engine propels the crossover. All-wheel drive is standard across the entire model lineup.

Upgrading to the 2.5 S Select adds dual-zone climate control, a leather-wrapped shifter and steering wheel, 40/60 split-folding rear seats, and a larger 10.25-inch center display, replacing the 8.8-inch unit. The 2.5 S Preferred adds even more convenience features like heated side mirrors and windshield wipers, an eight-way power driver’s seat, and more. It starts at $30,725.

Mazda also offers a Turbo trim that adds a turbocharger to the 2.5-liter engine in the upmarket model. The extra oomph allows Mazda to add Off-Road, Sport, and Towing modes. Adding to the sportiness are steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Visual enhancements include larger exhaust pipes, LED taillights, and adaptive LED headlights.
Trim Price (includes $1,225 destination)
CX-50 2.5 S $28,025
CX-50 2.5 S Select $29,425
CX-50 2.5 S Select Preferred $30,725
CX-50 2.5 S Select Preferred Plus $33,165
CX-50 2.5 S Premium $35,625
CX-50 2.5 S Premium Plus $37,625
CX-50 2.5 Turbo $37,625
CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium $40,775
CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus $42,775

Like the CX-50’s standard 2.5 S line, the Turbo offers several packages. The Turbo Premium builds off the regular Turbo by adding a Bose 12-speaker sound system, satellite radio, ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Turbo Premium Plus includes a frameless auto-dining rearview mirror, heated rear seats, and a wireless phone charger.

Mazda also announced a Turbo Meridian Edition model that will receive 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, side rocker garnish, distinctive hood graphics, and “a host of other outdoor-specific accessories.” Mazda didn’t elaborate on those accessories, but it will offer more details, like pricing, closer to its on-sale date.

The CX-50 will offer premium paint colors, with Polymetal Gray Metallic, Zircon Sand Metallic, and Wind Chill pearl requiring an extra $394. Machine Gray Metallica and Soul Red Crystal Mica will need an additional $5