@@rightlanehog3151Honestly, the middle pass through was one of the reasons I looked at (and ended up buying) a CX-5. It comes in handy on ski trips for 4.
I need mild off road and logging roads at worst. If Subaru didn’t have a CVT I would go that route but after test driving this 3 times I’m loving the CX50 driving experience
Nice car, I bet this Mazda is very capable in snowy winter conditions as well :) I like the very clear and easy to read gauges and physical buttons for A/C etc. and as usual for Mazda, a good looking car.
I have the 2023 model of the car shown, can confirm it handles the snow extremely well - I had a dr appointment the day the Chicagoland are had it’s worst winter storm. Zero issues on a 45mon drive with pretty much nothing plowed! Also have taken it through a few summer storms that turned out to be tornados. My only complaint is that the wipers couldn’t keep up, but I was driving in what looked like a waterfall so who knows lol.
Ethan, When compared to the CX-5, I simply cannot understand how Mazda came up with a new CUV design that significantly reduces rear seat headroom and drops the independent rear suspension. 🤨
@@andynickles7505 I'm an enthusiast but most regular non enthusiasts couldn't care less about the rear suspension. It doesn't make it not drivable but it does make it harsher. Bean counters and marketing at work vs engineering
@@vitreoushumor I’m well aware haha just not a fan of the cars I’ve driven that have torsen beam rears. Literally… unsettling when you are in a turn and hit a rock or something. My original comment was I most likely won’t be buying a CX-50 due to the suspension. I understand why manufacturers are doing it. I’m just voting with my wallet.
I really like this particular CX-50. I just wish mazda would put in Dual Fuel injection (Port and Direct) so it doesn't get all carboned up. same with Subaru (with the exclusion of the BRZ that actually has it.) and definitely should have a factory skid plate from factory on these for the price you're paying. IMHO, and maybe a small lift.
Nice! Forester Wilderness is great. I haven't taken one off-road yet but they are very capable. If you value the ability to get through just about any terrain, the Wilderness is the way to go. But if you're spending most of your time on pavement, the Mazda is a great choice-I prefer its interior and exterior design, and it's more fun to drive. But it won't be quite as capable off-road. :)
Mazda's latest gen models and new models are super nice and it's wild how under the radar they still kinda are. A few months ago I bought a 2023 Mazda CX-30, which lets be honest, is just a tall Mazda3 hatchback. But Just like here, the minimal interior, the nice materials, the feeling of it being far more premium than it is, Mazda's got a great thing going. And yes, any model Mazda is just fun to drive. The nice feel and feedback from the wheel alone makes backroads enjoyable. Mine is just the NA 2.5L (CX-30s can come with that same 2.5 Turbo) and even then is more power than it needs lol. Mazdas arent perfect but they're worth a look compared to Subarus, Toyotas and Hondas and I had two Hondas previously.
Even in turbo, under powered. Without the turbo, they can't get out of their own way. No matter which one, the MPG is not impressive. And then there's Mazda and their love of ugly non-painted black plastic all over. The CX30 is the worst and is nearly 1/3 black plastic. The CX50 is better but not by much. Over-priced and needs to come into the next century with better tach.
@@74beef Sorry, but no. I actually work in the fleet department at a Volvo and Mazda dealership. But I drive a Chevy Bolt. Superior to anything Mazda has. And I wouldn't be caught dead in a Subaru or Toyota.
What do you think of the CX-50? Would you take it off-road?
98% Probably never would ! !
The CX-5 also has a 40/20/40 rear seat which is notably absent here.
@@rightlanehog3151Honestly, the middle pass through was one of the reasons I looked at (and ended up buying) a CX-5. It comes in handy on ski trips for 4.
I need mild off road and logging roads at worst. If Subaru didn’t have a CVT I would go that route but after test driving this 3 times I’m loving the CX50 driving experience
Nice car, I bet this Mazda is very capable in snowy winter conditions as well :) I like the very clear and easy to read gauges and physical buttons for A/C etc. and as usual for Mazda, a good looking car.
I have the 2023 model of the car shown, can confirm it handles the snow extremely well - I had a dr appointment the day the Chicagoland are had it’s worst winter storm. Zero issues on a 45mon drive with pretty much nothing plowed!
Also have taken it through a few summer storms that turned out to be tornados. My only complaint is that the wipers couldn’t keep up, but I was driving in what looked like a waterfall so who knows lol.
Ethan, When compared to the CX-5, I simply cannot understand how Mazda came up with a new CUV design that significantly reduces rear seat headroom and drops the independent rear suspension. 🤨
I know. I’m not a fan of cars with a torsen beam rear. A deal breaker for me most likely.
They just wanted to give it more cargo capacity
@@vitreoushumor or save money at the cost of driveability
@@andynickles7505 I'm an enthusiast but most regular non enthusiasts couldn't care less about the rear suspension. It doesn't make it not drivable but it does make it harsher. Bean counters and marketing at work vs engineering
@@vitreoushumor I’m well aware haha just not a fan of the cars I’ve driven that have torsen beam rears. Literally… unsettling when you are in a turn and hit a rock or something. My original comment was I most likely won’t be buying a CX-50 due to the suspension. I understand why manufacturers are doing it. I’m just voting with my wallet.
I really like this particular CX-50. I just wish mazda would put in Dual Fuel injection (Port and Direct) so it doesn't get all carboned up. same with Subaru (with the exclusion of the BRZ that actually has it.) and definitely should have a factory skid plate from factory on these for the price you're paying. IMHO, and maybe a small lift.
Excellent review! I’m testing one of these in a couple of days.
By far one of the best cx50 reviews on TH-cam rn, great work and representation of the car!
Signed a cx50 driver.
nice review ethan!
Looks like you had fun filming this :)
This should be compared to the Forester more than the Outback especially since they've introduced the Wilderness trim for them.
Mazda is so underrated.
Mazda is far from underrated. I thnk they are some of the most over-rated brands out there.
@@danielberning1240 cool 👍
@@lukerinderknecht2982 What are you, 10 years old?
“Thinks it’s a Subaru Outback” I mean it looks like it would compare size wise to a forester more…
No mention of towing which is what I plan to do.
This particular CX-50 can tow 3500 lbs
Shopping between this and a forester wilderness. Which do you think would be better?
Can’t wait for a new car spotting video!
Nice! Forester Wilderness is great. I haven't taken one off-road yet but they are very capable. If you value the ability to get through just about any terrain, the Wilderness is the way to go. But if you're spending most of your time on pavement, the Mazda is a great choice-I prefer its interior and exterior design, and it's more fun to drive. But it won't be quite as capable off-road. :)
@@HelloRoad thank you!
@@keithdosikForester wilderness if you actually go offroad. Mazda if you don't.
Mazda's latest gen models and new models are super nice and it's wild how under the radar they still kinda are. A few months ago I bought a 2023 Mazda CX-30, which lets be honest, is just a tall Mazda3 hatchback. But Just like here, the minimal interior, the nice materials, the feeling of it being far more premium than it is, Mazda's got a great thing going. And yes, any model Mazda is just fun to drive. The nice feel and feedback from the wheel alone makes backroads enjoyable. Mine is just the NA 2.5L (CX-30s can come with that same 2.5 Turbo) and even then is more power than it needs lol. Mazdas arent perfect but they're worth a look compared to Subarus, Toyotas and Hondas and I had two Hondas previously.
Delete the moon roof and it would be a very nice suv.
CX-50 has a few problems: Uncomfortable seats, low headroom, weak acceleration, bumpy ride, weak AC.
Even in turbo, under powered. Without the turbo, they can't get out of their own way. No matter which one, the MPG is not impressive. And then there's Mazda and their love of ugly non-painted black plastic all over. The CX30 is the worst and is nearly 1/3 black plastic. The CX50 is better but not by much. Over-priced and needs to come into the next century with better tach.
The power it makes is as much as an Outback XT, which it competes with
lol found the Subaru salesman
@@74beef Sorry, but no. I actually work in the fleet department at a Volvo and Mazda dealership. But I drive a Chevy Bolt. Superior to anything Mazda has. And I wouldn't be caught dead in a Subaru or Toyota.