Glad to see Dave Coleman still doing his thing at Mazda....I've enjoyed his articles and experiences ever since the mid/late 90s with Sport Compact Car....not just an excellent engineer with a sense of humor but a true long time gearhead.
I almost financed the Buick Encore gx at 11.9% apr for 256 months but his recent review on the Toyota BZ4X sold me. I’m heading to my local Toyota dealership with my financial agent at the moment.
This vehicle makes a ton of sense and will be on the list to consider in the next few years. I disagree with the engineer that Americans would use this for some trail riding, though. That trope is so overblown by marketing teams.
Hard to say. I think these will get a lot of use in the PNW as an alternate to the fucking downpour of Crosstreks and Foresters. He mentioned extra towing and gravel road dynamics which would both come in handy over here and I don't do outdoors.
Other TH-cam car reviewers: The glove box is pretty spacious and is felt lined. Mr. Goose: Here’s the Mazda engineer who designed the vehicle to tell you about why they did _________.
Mazda people came up with a 14 paragraph feel-focused engineering-ish dissertation on "torsion beam rear end is cheaper to produce, lets us spend more on creature comforts, and our buyers don't care about suspensions anyway." Great to see Mark with his Final Thoughts "thinking cap."
"...and our buyers don't care about suspensions anyway." I would say that it's not that Mazda believes its buyers don't care about suspensions, it's that their buyers don't care about suspension *design* as long as it gives them the kind of ride and handling balance they find pleasing. If Mazda's twist-beam rear suspension gives the desired results, then why not allocate the cost savings to other areas (like the interior and noise isolation) that customers will definitely notice and appreciate.
And it sounds good too. 90% of Mazda SUV buyers are at least 30 years old and don't care about how the car's gonna handle back roads at 60 mph. Jelly suspension from 1960s American cars would probably be the best for any daily driving
I'm the last person who's interested in CUVs and, frankly, I'm tired of seeing most of them, but boy does Mazda know how to make a good looking crossover. What a great looking vehicle.
2 cx5s, cx30, mazda 3,6 owner here. This is impressive. I think the hybrid variant will sell very well. My only complaint with mazda this far over the last 5 vehicles I’ve owned was their paint is far to thin and brittle. Other than that, they’re killing it.
@@steve9377 yeah this is true.. I had a 14 Cx5 and thought the paint chipped easy compared to older VW/Honda/Toyota, replaced it with a 16 GTI. I thought I didn't need PPF because German paint was harder, but I had lots of chips within 1 year. Next vehicle definitely PPF..
@@steve9377 Yes, though the older oil-based paints got chalky, faded, and wore through a lot faster if exposed to sunlight. An 80s car looked like hell in just a few years. Repainting cars is very rare now.
Not sure why I wasted time watching reviews from other TH-cam channels before yours. This was so much more informative; and the production quality is second to none!
Everytime I see someone talking about spending 40+ on a Mazda SUV...all I'm thinking is that it's the price point to upgrade to an Acura or Lexus for a little more.
@@mr.g937 A base level badge hunter spec that is gutted out. I didn't cross shop SUV's specifically but when I cross shopped my Mazda 3 with the Lexus/Acura/German competition under the same premise, it wasn't nearly as close as you figure. Thats not to mention the increased cost of insurance/operation/maintenance on all of the non-Lexus variants.
@@papa_pt I agree. Acura's interiors are not very impressive, and Mazda's are. The only weakness for me is the infotainment screen placement. It's too far for a touchscreen, though at least finally it is one, at least for CarPlay and Android Auto.
@@TheGreektrojan lol , even a base model acura or lexus has the same options as a fully loaded mazda , you'r very uneducated on that. ( im in the car industry ). Theirs a reason why their in different price segments. ITs because the premium / luxury brands have more options , so they're base models equal a fully loaded economy brand like mazda.
I work for Mazda and I just swapped out of a 2020 Mazda6 into a Premium Plus CX-50. I am extremely happy with it! I think it's more impressive how well mannered it is on the road then how it does offroad. Plus it's achingly handsome for a crossover and super well appointed for the price.
It is really refreshing to see the inclusion of actual engineering and a brief market lecture in the beginning of the video. You are killing it guys! You just became my favorite car reviews channel, I take my hat off for the exceptional production.
They already are! I'm stunned that they *still* haven't updated that transmission though. How many years now has it been? I know you said you didn't miss the extra two gears, but I bet it would give them a tiny bit better MPG. Maybe.
This thing is pretty much perfect for what I've been looking at. I love the power that the Subaru Outback XT (and Wilderness) have but I don't ever want another CVT again. I was literally planning on going to a dealership today to look at Honda Passport but man that's a car that looks and feels dated. The entry or mid spec turbo model is looking like my next buy.
I test drove a Passport last year, came away disappointed. Interior felt cheap, handling was vague, and V6 was lethargic....there was nothing fun or rugged about it
@@matteogomez3678 exactly! I would have liked to have seen a 9 speed or at least an 8 since that's kind of the norm. The drive train is what makes me really like Passport so muck. But if I'm dropping 40k on a new car I want new car things ya know.
@@matteogomez3678 It tells you that Mazda knows what feels good when you drive, and they've probably had a good laugh at Nissan's expense about CVT failures. Plus, this thing can tow 3600 pounds, which is very impressive for a four cylinder, turbo or not. Plus, they decided against some eight or ten speed monstrosity that can't decide what gear it wants to be in.
I am very happy with the CX-50 . . . I could never really like the CX-5 for a lot of reasons, and Mazda has changed a lot of what I don't like. It will certainly add a few new buys to Mazda even if it does cannibalize some of the CX-5 sales. p.s.: Obviously neither of you worked on a dairy farm as a teenager.
How do u like the plastic sides center console feel on your leg? Do u like the cheep plastic feel if the interior door handles? Ping Pong of road debris translated into interior. Not at $43k. This is a $26k. Car
Ha, I remember reading automotive articles in Sport Compact Car magazine 20 years ago from Dave Coleman back in the day. Good to see he's still part of the car industry.
I like what Mazda is doing all around, and this is another prime example. Turbo is always best; live a little, life is too short, and everything works better with turbo
@@kiramiftari9486 I think you misunderstood. They were driving the turbo, but wanted to try an NA model, as those outsell the turbos. Most people don't care what's under the hood, as long as the power is adequate. My suspicion is the NA versions will be fine for most people.
Finally, they improved the appearance!! I got used to the previous version, but now it's much more youthful and trendy. So, congrats to Mark and the successful hair transplant!! I'm diggin' this mid cycle refresh! 🤣
Mark and Jack great job on this, happy you still go on these press trips, even though it is a pain with your schedule, excellent video. Also, round of applause for Dave Coleman. Mazda has a great guy in that position, Dave knows the product, very honest, doesn't hide anything and always explains the new Mazda products so well. He keeps it simple and to the point, and once again honest. I own my mix of American products and Japanese products, always have been a fan of Mazda, My Dad had a RX-7, so always loved Mazda, but I never owned one myself. That will change in the future I feel. Mazda has a great line up and really want to see the new inline six sedan, that is rear wheel drive, hopefully will offer all wheel drive as well. Mark and Jack when you have this CX50 for a full review can you compare it to the feel and size of the Mazda CX-9. I really like the CX-9 always have been impressed by it and it still looks great, aged very well. this CX50 seems like it has the room of the CX-9 and close in size, just not as heavy, no third row. Thanks great video.
My wife and I just purchased a 2019 CX9 Touring, it’s an amazing vehicle! Have had it for about 2 months now and have been very happy with comfort, materials, and how fun it is to drive! I drive an ‘04 Suburban (that I love and it’s a great mountain/camping car) but I am definitely tempted to sell it and get one of these CX50s sometime in the near future
There's a CX-70 for you if you want even more room. Mark barely fit in the back seat, his knees were touching the front seat 😞 Hope the CX-70 is launched soon (and without that twist beam rear suspension.)
The CX-50 is a fantastic looking car. The low, wide stance is aggressive, but not overtly so and still has Mazda’s usual classy styling. As someone with a 4th generation Mazda3 Turbo, I’m considering trading it in for the extra space and utility.
I drive a 2017 Mazda 3 and had a 2022 CX 30 loaner the other day. It felt awesome to drive, but it really felt high perched. As much as I loved the cx30, I was happy to go back to my Mazda3
Really pumped that Mazda came out with this. I loved my Mazda 3 and had to upgrade to a Jeep because I needed more ground clearance. I would love this as my commuter / play vehicle.
@@johntechwriter drove a 626 for a decade, and had a little bit of an overlap with the 3. Started my 4 year old snowboarding and one of the potholes on the parking lot of the resort nearly swallowed the 3 whole. Needed a little more cabin space and something that could go to places like Moab and all that. None of the Mazdas fit the bill at the time.
The CX50 appears to be a good choice for anyone who was disappointed when VW replaced the Golf Alltrack with the underwhelming Taos. I expect to see an absolute shit ton of them driving around here in Colorado in the not too distant future.
15:38 I have a similar thing with my grand cherokee and 5.7 hemi. For a 5000lb brick, if you go past like 5% throttle you're moving, I am FORCED to use cruise control anywhere between 30 and 55mph simply because I can't keep my foot on the throttle softly enough for it to not accelerate. It's actually kind of a problem, and I think it's as a result of engineers trying to make a car feel more powerful than it is by giving more throttle when you don't need it
Great first impressions video, guys! Also the input from the Mazda engineer. I bought the 2025 CX-50 TPP 3 weeks ago. I really like how it looks and how it drives. I took it on a 1000 mile trip a few days after I got it and it did great. The ride is firm but not uncomfortable. I was less fatigued than I would be in my previous Subaru Outback where I was always squirming in my seat after 2 hours! In a few days time, I’m taking it on a long road trip from Michigan to visit friends in Calgary, Alberta. That’s about 3500 miles round trip. Only thing I’m changing is to switch the OEM Goodyear tires to Michelin Cross Climate 2s as winter approaches. It got an oil change at 1200 miles and will be ready for its scheduled 5000 mile one when I get back.
I work for a mazda dealership and was able to go hands on with one of these cars about a week ago and I can say my biggest gripe was the ac switch. the ac activation light from the drivers view is blocked by the passengers temperature control knob. This means that if your the driver you can't see if the ac is on unless you bring your head down to almost the level of the center consol. Other then that small gripe I think this will sell well for Mazda and is a very nice car
So outdoorsy, so off-road able. Can't wait to see these things swerving out the way of potholes as deep as a dinner plate like they're avoiding a deer.
No joke though when I had a CX-5 it was fucking great on trails (Pacific Northwest forestry service roads, which are heavy trucking dirt roads that get practically no maintenance). The Outback we have now feels comparably shit.
I like the looks of it, and I certainly like Mazda in general, although a lot of their models have gotten a bit stale. This certainly looks much better. It’s certainly not an off-roader but it’ll do some trailing and easy stuff getting into camp grounds. I know many folks who have taken their Subarus (including a wrx with very little ground clearance) on some basic trails and as long as you keep yourself aware you’ll be fine. Back country in Colorado? Now that’ll be an issue for sure. Hopefully it’s a winner for Mazda, as they’ve been slacking lately.
They're staying in their lane and making vehicles that customers have been forced to get elsewhere. You can't have brand loyalty without a dense lineup. This thing, especially once hybridized, is going to be a top pick as my kids get bigger and we find the need to replace my 2007 Mazda3 or the wife's 2010. They're not going to jump into a new market with existing competitors and long loyal history just like others aren't going to hop in with a direct competitor to the Miata without differentiating enough to present something new. Mazda + PHEV is going to hit the meat of the segment, right in the Outback's wheelhouse but without the horrid boxer engine.
@@TermlessHGW Americans aren't any different than anyone else. What is different is the culture. We're run by bean counters with a next quarter mentality. I don't have a solution but it's not hard to identify a problem.
Wow I gotta say with the wider stance and wheel arches this thing looks incredible. I've always found their recent happy-face design language awkward and their car shapes just melty and too smooth. But in this case the grill feels proportional finally and just...everything works. Really, really one of the best looking SUV's I've ever seen
I would prefer less plastic cladding. I'm not sure when this trend started, but if more cladding = "off-road" Mazda got that covered. Otherwise, a very good looking car. Oh, the "recent" Happy face design was well over a decade ago....and yes it was awful. You can thank a certain Tesla designer for the ugly smiley faced Mazda's in that generation.
The final review hair brought me back to my three stooges days Sir. Love it. My sister recently wanted an SUV..tried to steer her here but she selected a trailblazer..I’m praying it works out…. At least she’s happy.
My wife’s boyfriend Tyrone recommended this overland vehicle he mentioned it matches my Soy Latte Wilderness life style. What can I say folks, my wife have great taste! Thank you Mr Geese & thank you Tyrone :D
a mid-spec turbo cx50 is a really nice car, but at 40k it competes in a whole another weight class so a naturally aspirated base model for 27k will be the choice for lots of people who don't wanna break the bank over a small suv and have more important expenses and/or smaller income (and let's not forget that 27k used to be able to pay for way more, not too long ago)
I literally bought one and had it a whole day and a half before I was t-boned and totaled, but in that time I had zero complaints! Will be replacing it with the exact one
@11:36 Glad to see @Savagegeese put this thing through it’s paces and proved it can do exactly what it designed to do, transport two adults quibbling over directions 😂
Thanks "Bro" , good review "Bro" lol. The ending hilarious. Reviews for this thing area all over the map so far. Some say it rides softer than a CX-5, some say its rough. Some say there's more road noise, some say less. Some say the steering is heavy, some say it's not as heavy as CX-5. Some say the seats are more comfy, some say they are worse. Well, if I ever see one in stock, I guess there's only one way to find out.
I love the CX-5 and I've wanted one for years. I love the look of this car and what it's going for. But with gas the way it is, I think I still have to be boring and keep my deposit down on a RAV4 hybrid. If they offered this (or the CX-5) in a hybrid that didn't cost $40k, I'd definitely go for it. 25-28mpg is just a hard pill to swallow right now.
Cx60 in EU/Asian, they will make a bigger version CX70 hybrid for pur collective fatter asses. Supposed to have a Inline 6 option and hybrid option to... fingers crossed.
I’m currently running around in a CX-30 and it is so much freaking fun while being a great quality vehicle. This CX-50 is going to be a better choice if you have a family and need to get all of their diapers and strollers arounds. I will definitely be test driving it soon. As always, thanks for an outstanding video. You guys are always killing it.
To my eye, this is a very attractive vehicle. I’m not usually a fan of plastic body cladding, but this is tastefully done compared to some recent Subaru vehicles. If I were shopping for a something in this segment, I would take a serious look at this.
Somehow I don't think Subaru cares. They have their built-in clientele. Who like the product. Seem to be a devoted bunch. I saw a reviewer comparing this to the Outback and he nailed it. Subaru is functional. This Mazda is fashion. Most Subaru drivers aren't looking for fashion.
True that, but 99% of the people shopping for one of these don't know a torsion beam from a kidney bean. If the dynamics are okay, nobody cares, and torsion beams are rugged and simple to work on.
I used to own a 2010 Mazda 3 gt with the n/a 2.5l and 6 speed tranny and the torque of that motor was definitely the highlight of it. In virtually any gear you could give it some beans and it would just pull super hard, it was very impressive. I’d imagine they have used similar updated architecture in the 2.5 they have now so I could imagine how torquey and good that engine still is
Thank you guys for yet another great review. By far the best car review show on TH-cam. I have always believed that Mazda is the only Japanese company that still cares about the enthusiast driver. Clean lines, telepathic steering, great quality and not that boxy, transformer look like Toyota, Subaru, etc bring to the public. Too bad they will not bring the Mazda 6 to the US. As an owner of Audi car for over 15 years, Mazda is the only Japanese product I would consider. Are they still using the 6 speed transmission? I may have missed it.
@@marklion315 You may be correct. Obviously for a different driving function. And yes, the new CX-50 has 6 spd tranny. Why don't they finally come out with an 7 or 8 speed???. Long overdue.
@@steve9377 Completely agree, however most people don't drive manuals anymore. A dear friend of mine bought a Honda Civic Si manual and the salesperson did not know how to drive one. LOL. I learned how to drive a manual in an International pick up truck. 3 speeds on the floor. Soo much fun. Cheers.
The CX50 would be competing with the Forester. If there was a CX90 it would be a more natural competitor with the Outback, but even still not really. Tough to compare a Station Wagon to an SUV
@@ScottHasADog Counterpoint. The Outback is not a station wagon. The CX-50 is lower and wider than an Outback (63.5 vs 66.1, 75.6 vs 73) and less ground clearance (albeit by just a smidge) than the Outback. Neither are wagons, but I'd argue the CX-50 has more of a wagon "stance" than the Outback. (Length wise the CX-50 slots in between the longer Outback and shorter Forester. 185.8 vs 191.3 vs 182.7)
With $6/gallon fuel costs, Mazda really needs to focus on at least hybrids. Toyota is crushing the competition in this regard. Other than that, I have been and still am a huge fan of Mazdas. I currently have two.
The CX-50 starts at $37,900 in Canada but includes the panoramic moon-roof. Wished it had the same base trim as I generally do not fit vehicles with sunroofs height wise. Thank you guys for the video, awesome as always!
I had the same experience with the cx5. I test drove one and I had to cut it short because my left knee was about ready to give out. It's unfortunate because I loved the way it handled. Hope the cx50 solved this legroom problem for us tall drivers🙏
I wish I had started focusing on Savage Geese years earlier than I did; this was yet another good review (and the wig that Mark put on was wild; the effect was accentuated by his decision to dead-pan the delivery of his "final thoughts"). Thank you.
I was waiting for the end of the test drive embargo. When I saw you had done a review I nearly lost my mind because you guys are ALWAYS my go to for reviews and are the absolute best!!! Great job guys but coming from a CX 5 I’m still not sold. Hope this isn’t a bust for Mazda. I’m looking forward to the CX 70.
@@mitchellsteindler i have a legacy with 175hp. It’s enough for driving in the city but when you do highway merging here in the states that have speed limit of 60-70 mph you definitely feel the shortcomings.
My wife is on her second Mazda CX-5 and loves it. I really like it too. Was not sure about this model, and still not100% sold that we should look to buy one in the next couple of years, but this review has me interested in looking at it more closely for sure.
I like that Mazda's thought about roof accessibility. A lower roof, reinforced b pillars and door sills... It ain't quite wagon like, but it beats most crossovers... Granted, my stubby family would still probably struggle to get a kayak up there, as the car itself is still pretty tall...
So I found myself thinking this morning, 'maybe I should check out this new CX-50', as I'm starting to think about replacing the wife's CRV. I waste 30 minutes of my life on the "review" from a competing youtuber who we will call R'sRs. I'm like, good god man this is a fricking commercial for Mazda and yet he's telling me absolutely nothing about the vehicle. So in frustration I say to myself....has SG looked at one of these yet? Why do I even bother with car reviews from anyone else! I've said this before but here it is again. SG makes the best, most informative, creative, well produced videos, full stop. Thanks for the work! Not sure why I've not become a Patreon except to say that I tend not to do that, even for boobs. ...hold on. Ah fuck it, just became a Patreon. I tend to not have time for things like live streams but, well, fuck it.
Not sure i see the reason for this, building Cx-5 and this at the same time kinda seems like a mistake, but i guess there is a market for both...but seems like this could have been the evolution of the CX-5.
I'm having a hard time squaring the praise of the CX-50's cargo space with the stats I'm finding online. While the CX-50 is a bigger vehicle than the CX-5, the cargo space didn't benefit much: the CX-50 offers 31.4 cubic feet behind the second row, while the CX-5 has 30.9. For anyone looking for more internal space, direct competitors offer much more: 37.5 in the RAV4, 38.7 in the Tucson, 39.2 in the CR-V and 39.6 in the 2023 Sportage.
The only one of those I'd call a direct competitor is the Rav4. The rest compete more directly with the CX-5. The edge for the Mazda is interior refinement and NVH. The praise for the cargo capacity isn't how much of it there is, it's how easy it is to get stuff in and out, access the storage from the cabin, and how easy it is to use all of the space. The Rav4 gets more space by being taller, unless you're loading floor to ceiling, effectively they have the same interior capacity.
That's always been the downside of modern Mazdas. Significantly less cargo capacity than their competitors. But they generally win on more sophisticated exterior and interior designs. That said, all cu. ft. are not created equally, and I find longer/deeper cargo boxes more practical for packing. It would be nice to be able to research cargo dimensions BELOW the height of the seat backs in vehicles with hatches and lift-backs.
If you are filling it with a liquid or gas, yes.. For every day use, I appreciate a nice long load floor where I don't have to play tetris with my belongings.. The CX-50 will hold more at the seat line than you would think based upon the total rating (and likely more than several of those listed), which is due to the lower roof line. It is 3-4 inches lower than many other CUVs.
Only guy on TH-cam that actually spoke about the engineering from the people at Mazda themselves.
Motoman's been having Dave Coleman for a while too.
Agreed.
Sub to motorman...
Glad to see Dave Coleman still doing his thing at Mazda....I've enjoyed his articles and experiences ever since the mid/late 90s with Sport Compact Car....not just an excellent engineer with a sense of humor but a true long time gearhead.
And his presence at Mazda makes a difference in their outstanding products for people who actually *like* to drive..
Came here for this! Happy to see him get a couple minutes of screen time in this segment. Loved reading his articles in SCC
I loved his articles in SCC!
I’ve always wondered if he brings up the Dave Point at engineering meetings at Mazda.
👍 You echo my sentiments. Glad to see Dave's fingerprints on Mazda's products.
Every time SG releases a video, I want to buy that car. This is a dangerous channel.
I'm still waiting for the purple Murano Crosscab review so I can justify buying on.
I almost financed the Buick Encore gx at 11.9% apr for 256 months but his recent review on the Toyota BZ4X sold me. I’m heading to my local Toyota dealership with my financial agent at the moment.
@@oOgy172is financial agent a nickname for your wife?😂
This vehicle makes a ton of sense and will be on the list to consider in the next few years. I disagree with the engineer that Americans would use this for some trail riding, though. That trope is so overblown by marketing teams.
But that dumb marketing works
Yeah I agree, most people don’t even take their Jeep’s off-road lol.
@Aaron I get it... unfortunately, it does somehow work. Not sure why Americans are still so wrapped up in the 'wild, wild, west' feeling.
Hard to say. I think these will get a lot of use in the PNW as an alternate to the fucking downpour of Crosstreks and Foresters. He mentioned extra towing and gravel road dynamics which would both come in handy over here and I don't do outdoors.
I think subconsciously Americans believe that if it’s off road capable then it’s somehow more reliable for the road. Not saying it’s right but maybe?
Other TH-cam car reviewers: The glove box is pretty spacious and is felt lined.
Mr. Goose: Here’s the Mazda engineer who designed the vehicle to tell you about why they did _________.
That was just flexing
Redline review is the other youtuber🤣
@@area50view How did you know?!?!
@@moloono1 i watch him sometimes. He's the guy that complains about no sunroof or heated seats but also complaints when the car is to heavy and slow😑
Mazda people came up with a 14 paragraph feel-focused engineering-ish dissertation on "torsion beam rear end is cheaper to produce, lets us spend more on creature comforts, and our buyers don't care about suspensions anyway." Great to see Mark with his Final Thoughts "thinking cap."
"...and our buyers don't care about suspensions anyway." I would say that it's not that Mazda believes its buyers don't care about suspensions, it's that their buyers don't care about suspension *design* as long as it gives them the kind of ride and handling balance they find pleasing. If Mazda's twist-beam rear suspension gives the desired results, then why not allocate the cost savings to other areas (like the interior and noise isolation) that customers will definitely notice and appreciate.
And it sounds good too. 90% of Mazda SUV buyers are at least 30 years old and don't care about how the car's gonna handle back roads at 60 mph. Jelly suspension from 1960s American cars would probably be the best for any daily driving
even a crosstrek has IRS
@@mezzb they made a car for someone who wants to off-road, but never actually will
Suspension is everything, that's where 80% of comfort and handling comes from.
I'm the last person who's interested in CUVs and, frankly, I'm tired of seeing most of them, but boy does Mazda know how to make a good looking crossover. What a great looking vehicle.
I’ve watched every TH-cam reviewer. This is the only video that highlight the design and engineers. I fucking love this channel.
Yes! A CUV review to get this week started off right! Now I”m fired up and ready to kick some 9 to 5 ass!! Let’s go!
I’m rooting for ya pal! Go kick mondays butt
Lmao love it
The engineering interviews make the difference. Love to see it.
2 cx5s, cx30, mazda 3,6 owner here. This is impressive. I think the hybrid variant will sell very well. My only complaint with mazda this far over the last 5 vehicles I’ve owned was their paint is far to thin and brittle. Other than that, they’re killing it.
The paint is easily chipped, and shows blemishes
I think that can be said for most modern water based car paints. Its part of the reason why paint protection film has become more popular.
@@steve9377 yeah this is true.. I had a 14 Cx5 and thought the paint chipped easy compared to older VW/Honda/Toyota, replaced it with a 16 GTI. I thought I didn't need PPF because German paint was harder, but I had lots of chips within 1 year. Next vehicle definitely PPF..
@@steve9377 Yes, though the older oil-based paints got chalky, faded, and wore through a lot faster if exposed to sunlight. An 80s car looked like hell in just a few years. Repainting cars is very rare now.
@@steve9377 it can. It's just an annoyance. Toyota's is worse
Not sure why I wasted time watching reviews from other TH-cam channels before yours. This was so much more informative; and the production quality is second to none!
The main thing that caught my eye with the Cx-50 is the Meridian Edition trim, that version looks great and I’m liking the wider stance of this SUV.
Everytime I see someone talking about spending 40+ on a Mazda SUV...all I'm thinking is that it's the price point to upgrade to an Acura or Lexus for a little more.
@@mr.g937 A base level badge hunter spec that is gutted out. I didn't cross shop SUV's specifically but when I cross shopped my Mazda 3 with the Lexus/Acura/German competition under the same premise, it wasn't nearly as close as you figure. Thats not to mention the increased cost of insurance/operation/maintenance on all of the non-Lexus variants.
@@mr.g937 funny since Acura has worse/cheaper looking interior spaces than Mazda
@@papa_pt I agree. Acura's interiors are not very impressive, and Mazda's are. The only weakness for me is the infotainment screen placement. It's too far for a touchscreen, though at least finally it is one, at least for CarPlay and Android Auto.
@@TheGreektrojan lol , even a base model acura or lexus has the same options as a fully loaded mazda , you'r very uneducated on that. ( im in the car industry ). Theirs a reason why their in different price segments. ITs because the premium / luxury brands have more options , so they're base models equal a fully loaded economy brand like mazda.
I work for Mazda and I just swapped out of a 2020 Mazda6 into a Premium Plus CX-50. I am extremely happy with it! I think it's more impressive how well mannered it is on the road then how it does offroad. Plus it's achingly handsome for a crossover and super well appointed for the price.
I swear I heard a chuckle after "he's so big and tall and muscular" lmao
The hair definitely makes Mark look more wide and planted on the road. Definitely inspired confidence.
Wider??
It is really refreshing to see the inclusion of actual engineering and a brief market lecture in the beginning of the video. You are killing it guys! You just became my favorite car reviews channel, I take my hat off for the exceptional production.
Dave Coleman is a Sport Compact Car magazine LEGEND!
If you guys aren't careful, you're going to be the best at this. CAREFUL!! Great review gentlemen. Really well done.
They really are!
They already are! I'm stunned that they *still* haven't updated that transmission though. How many years now has it been? I know you said you didn't miss the extra two gears, but I bet it would give them a tiny bit better MPG. Maybe.
Dave is the best engineering support/liaison I've seen on camera, for any industry. 10/10 presentation by Dave, and great video as usual from SG
This thing is pretty much perfect for what I've been looking at. I love the power that the Subaru Outback XT (and Wilderness) have but I don't ever want another CVT again. I was literally planning on going to a dealership today to look at Honda Passport but man that's a car that looks and feels dated. The entry or mid spec turbo model is looking like my next buy.
The fact that Mazda would rather use a six speed transmission over any CVT probably tells you where CVT’s rank
I test drove a Passport last year, came away disappointed. Interior felt cheap, handling was vague, and V6 was lethargic....there was nothing fun or rugged about it
@@matteogomez3678 exactly! I would have liked to have seen a 9 speed or at least an 8 since that's kind of the norm. The drive train is what makes me really like Passport so muck. But if I'm dropping 40k on a new car I want new car things ya know.
@@matteogomez3678 It tells you that Mazda knows what feels good when you drive, and they've probably had a good laugh at Nissan's expense about CVT failures. Plus, this thing can tow 3600 pounds, which is very impressive for a four cylinder, turbo or not. Plus, they decided against some eight or ten speed monstrosity that can't decide what gear it wants to be in.
This thing is awesome for what it is
I am very happy with the CX-50 . . . I could never really like the CX-5 for a lot of reasons, and Mazda has changed a lot of what I don't like. It will certainly add a few new buys to Mazda even if it does cannibalize some of the CX-5 sales.
p.s.: Obviously neither of you worked on a dairy farm as a teenager.
Tom - so do you *really* get used to that smell? Lol!!
How do u like the plastic sides center console feel on your leg? Do u like the cheep plastic feel if the interior door handles? Ping Pong of road debris translated into interior. Not at $43k. This is a $26k. Car
Ha, I remember reading automotive articles in Sport Compact Car magazine 20 years ago from Dave Coleman back in the day. Good to see he's still part of the car industry.
I like what Mazda is doing all around, and this is another prime example. Turbo is always best; live a little, life is too short, and everything works better with turbo
As a fan of "old Mazda"... I genuinely hate that Mazda has ditched is racing heritage. Mazda is turning into Buick and it's a sad thing to watch.
but he did say that you don't notice that it is isn't turbo on Mazda, or did I misunderstand him?
@@mikearnwine5809 Unfortunately Miatas and RX-7s don't keep a company in business.
@@kiramiftari9486 I think you misunderstood. They were driving the turbo, but wanted to try an NA model, as those outsell the turbos. Most people don't care what's under the hood, as long as the power is adequate. My suspicion is the NA versions will be fine for most people.
@@markmiller3279 Thnx! :-))
I wasn't expecting Mike Myers to do the final thoughts. The CX-50 looks promising. Too bad it isn't available in other markets.
Eiji Kimoto*
Trent Reznor*
I'm trying not to burst into laughter at 9:30 this evening. That scene was so funny!
Finally, they improved the appearance!! I got used to the previous version, but now it's much more youthful and trendy. So, congrats to Mark and the successful hair transplant!! I'm diggin' this mid cycle refresh! 🤣
Oh wait, you mean the improved and youthful appearance of the car
@@jefftoonstra5087 lol nope
Mark and Jack great job on this, happy you still go on these press trips, even though it is a pain with your schedule, excellent video. Also, round of applause for Dave Coleman. Mazda has a great guy in that position, Dave knows the product, very honest, doesn't hide anything and always explains the new Mazda products so well. He keeps it simple and to the point, and once again honest. I own my mix of American products and Japanese products, always have been a fan of Mazda, My Dad had a RX-7, so always loved Mazda, but I never owned one myself. That will change in the future I feel. Mazda has a great line up and really want to see the new inline six sedan, that is rear wheel drive, hopefully will offer all wheel drive as well. Mark and Jack when you have this CX50 for a full review can you compare it to the feel and size of the Mazda CX-9. I really like the CX-9 always have been impressed by it and it still looks great, aged very well. this CX50 seems like it has the room of the CX-9 and close in size, just not as heavy, no third row. Thanks great video.
next gen mazda 6 will be a BMW killer
My wife and I just purchased a 2019 CX9 Touring, it’s an amazing vehicle! Have had it for about 2 months now and have been very happy with comfort, materials, and how fun it is to drive! I drive an ‘04 Suburban (that I love and it’s a great mountain/camping car) but I am definitely tempted to sell it and get one of these CX50s sometime in the near future
There's a CX-70 for you if you want even more room. Mark barely fit in the back seat, his knees were touching the front seat 😞 Hope the CX-70 is launched soon (and without that twist beam rear suspension.)
Holy hell, I did not expect to see Dave Coleman in this video. Just some casual legendary journalist.
The CX-50 is a fantastic looking car. The low, wide stance is aggressive, but not overtly so and still has Mazda’s usual classy styling. As someone with a 4th generation Mazda3 Turbo, I’m considering trading it in for the extra space and utility.
I drive a 2017 Mazda 3 and had a 2022 CX 30 loaner the other day. It felt awesome to drive, but it really felt high perched. As much as I loved the cx30, I was happy to go back to my Mazda3
don't
I watched several reviews from this event and none of them included interviews with Mazda people. Great job!
Really pumped that Mazda came out with this. I loved my Mazda 3 and had to upgrade to a Jeep because I needed more ground clearance. I would love this as my commuter / play vehicle.
You are a Mazda guy and you bought a JEEP?
@@johntechwriter drove a 626 for a decade, and had a little bit of an overlap with the 3. Started my 4 year old snowboarding and one of the potholes on the parking lot of the resort nearly swallowed the 3 whole. Needed a little more cabin space and something that could go to places like Moab and all that. None of the Mazdas fit the bill at the time.
This is the first off road review I’ve seen for this car as I’ve been obsessively watching every single cx50 video i can find
This was the best final thoughts. I love the new hairstyle
New look is legit
Mazda CX-50 looks very handsome, I'm personally not a fan of Hyundai Tucson looking cars
The CX50 appears to be a good choice for anyone who was disappointed when VW replaced the Golf Alltrack with the underwhelming Taos. I expect to see an absolute shit ton of them driving around here in Colorado in the not too distant future.
Dave Coleman is the best
The hairstyle is as premium as what Mazda is heading to
The bits of humour sprinkled in the review is pretty impressive. Great to see Kimoto at the end
Its crazy how Eiji Kimoto took over the final thoughts section. He must've liked the channel so much.
Commenting for the algorithm. Thanks for doing what you do, y'all!
15:38 I have a similar thing with my grand cherokee and 5.7 hemi. For a 5000lb brick, if you go past like 5% throttle you're moving, I am FORCED to use cruise control anywhere between 30 and 55mph simply because I can't keep my foot on the throttle softly enough for it to not accelerate. It's actually kind of a problem, and I think it's as a result of engineers trying to make a car feel more powerful than it is by giving more throttle when you don't need it
Great first impressions video, guys! Also the input from the Mazda engineer. I bought the 2025 CX-50 TPP 3 weeks ago. I really like how it looks and how it drives. I took it on a 1000 mile trip a few days after I got it and it did great. The ride is firm but not uncomfortable. I was less fatigued than I would be in my previous Subaru Outback where I was always squirming in my seat after 2 hours! In a few days time, I’m taking it on a long road trip from Michigan to visit friends in Calgary, Alberta. That’s about 3500 miles round trip. Only thing I’m changing is to switch the OEM Goodyear tires to Michelin Cross Climate 2s as winter approaches. It got an oil change at 1200 miles and will be ready for its scheduled 5000 mile one when I get back.
Great review guys. I've been waiting for this one. Thanks.
I work for a mazda dealership and was able to go hands on with one of these cars about a week ago and I can say my biggest gripe was the ac switch. the ac activation light from the drivers view is blocked by the passengers temperature control knob. This means that if your the driver you can't see if the ac is on unless you bring your head down to almost the level of the center consol. Other then that small gripe I think this will sell well for Mazda and is a very nice car
So outdoorsy, so off-road able. Can't wait to see these things swerving out the way of potholes as deep as a dinner plate like they're avoiding a deer.
And Tip Toe-ing over RR tracks as if they don’t have ground clearance and suspension made to easily overtake such modest challenges
It still blows my mind when I see SUV's and off road trucks, go over train tracks super slow cause there suspension is sooo weak 😒
@@Ironkhight then people like us with somewhat low cars just go over them at speed limit speeds
Need that extra ground clearance to handle the flat gravel parking lots
No joke though when I had a CX-5 it was fucking great on trails (Pacific Northwest forestry service roads, which are heavy trucking dirt roads that get practically no maintenance). The Outback we have now feels comparably shit.
The way Mr Goose did the finnal thoughts is what keeps me coming back 😂
I like the looks of it, and I certainly like Mazda in general, although a lot of their models have gotten a bit stale. This certainly looks much better. It’s certainly not an off-roader but it’ll do some trailing and easy stuff getting into camp grounds. I know many folks who have taken their Subarus (including a wrx with very little ground clearance) on some basic trails and as long as you keep yourself aware you’ll be fine. Back country in Colorado? Now that’ll be an issue for sure.
Hopefully it’s a winner for Mazda, as they’ve been slacking lately.
I guarantee that this will perform pretty decent on the trails with the right mods.
They're staying in their lane and making vehicles that customers have been forced to get elsewhere. You can't have brand loyalty without a dense lineup. This thing, especially once hybridized, is going to be a top pick as my kids get bigger and we find the need to replace my 2007 Mazda3 or the wife's 2010. They're not going to jump into a new market with existing competitors and long loyal history just like others aren't going to hop in with a direct competitor to the Miata without differentiating enough to present something new. Mazda + PHEV is going to hit the meat of the segment, right in the Outback's wheelhouse but without the horrid boxer engine.
I can bet it will loose it's fit and finish quality being put together in the states. Americans can't build cars.
I feel like this will be great for me on Florida trails
@@TermlessHGW Americans aren't any different than anyone else. What is different is the culture. We're run by bean counters with a next quarter mentality. I don't have a solution but it's not hard to identify a problem.
I'll be getting a Meridian Edition CX-50 as soon as it's available. Incredible machine!
11:58 the face made at the failed visor test made me spill the rice milk I was going to put into my latte
These Videos make my life better
Wow I gotta say with the wider stance and wheel arches this thing looks incredible. I've always found their recent happy-face design language awkward and their car shapes just melty and too smooth. But in this case the grill feels proportional finally and just...everything works. Really, really one of the best looking SUV's I've ever seen
What about all that black plastic on the bottom? Looks awful in other colors.
I would prefer less plastic cladding. I'm not sure when this trend started, but if more cladding = "off-road" Mazda got that covered. Otherwise, a very good looking car. Oh, the "recent" Happy face design was well over a decade ago....and yes it was awful. You can thank a certain Tesla designer for the ugly smiley faced Mazda's in that generation.
Lord, this was a great video. Brilliant stuff. I thank you.
I like this a lot, we have a CX-5 and love it. Mazda is on a roll. They don’t make an ugly car in my opinion
Other than the cx60 or whatever that new EU cuv is.
@@mitchellsteindler yes but for now this is it
The final review hair brought me back to my three stooges days Sir. Love it. My sister recently wanted an SUV..tried to steer her here but she selected a trailblazer..I’m praying it works out…. At least she’s happy.
Love the easter egg to the straight pipes...
3, 2, 1 Fail...
My wife’s boyfriend Tyrone recommended this overland vehicle he mentioned it matches my Soy Latte Wilderness life style.
What can I say folks, my wife have great taste!
Thank you Mr Geese & thank you Tyrone :D
Nothing like playing on your Nintendo Switch in the wilderness while your wife and her boyfriend go on a romantic "hike".
a mid-spec turbo cx50 is a really nice car, but at 40k it competes in a whole another weight class
so a naturally aspirated base model for 27k will be the choice for lots of people who don't wanna break the bank over a small suv and have more important expenses and/or smaller income (and let's not forget that 27k used to be able to pay for way more, not too long ago)
The bits of humour sprinkled in the review is pretty impressive. Great to see Kimoto at the end😂
Thank u! I am trading my Honda in for this. Was waiting for your video!
I literally bought one and had it a whole day and a half before I was t-boned and totaled, but in that time I had zero complaints! Will be replacing it with the exact one
I just bought a 2022 CX-5 on Saturday after being torn between it and the CX50. The torsion beam suspension was a deal breaker for me on the CX50.
Yes, Independent suspension is much better.
Extremely happy to see this review. I help build this car :)
I hope you don't leave your sticky boogie finger prints all over it.
True about Mazda: th-cam.com/video/qmXdlIMRGaQ/w-d-xo.html
@11:36 Glad to see @Savagegeese put this thing through it’s paces and proved it can do exactly what it designed to do, transport two adults quibbling over directions 😂
Awesome that Mazda respects your viewers enough to provide their people for this.
Great show, loved all of the info supplied here, we may see ours next week
Thanks "Bro" , good review "Bro" lol. The ending hilarious. Reviews for this thing area all over the map so far. Some say it rides softer than a CX-5, some say its rough. Some say there's more road noise, some say less. Some say the steering is heavy, some say it's not as heavy as CX-5. Some say the seats are more comfy, some say they are worse. Well, if I ever see one in stock, I guess there's only one way to find out.
I love the CX-5 and I've wanted one for years. I love the look of this car and what it's going for. But with gas the way it is, I think I still have to be boring and keep my deposit down on a RAV4 hybrid. If they offered this (or the CX-5) in a hybrid that didn't cost $40k, I'd definitely go for it. 25-28mpg is just a hard pill to swallow right now.
A CX-50 with a Toyota hybrid powertrain is coming....some day.
@@rightlanehog3151 next year..
Cx60 in EU/Asian, they will make a bigger version CX70 hybrid for pur collective fatter asses. Supposed to have a Inline 6 option and hybrid option to... fingers crossed.
@@rightlanehog3151 it's coming, but the gas engine in it will be Mazda's.
@@R4M_Tommy We'll see.
I’m currently running around in a CX-30 and it is so much freaking fun while being a great quality vehicle. This CX-50 is going to be a better choice if you have a family and need to get all of their diapers and strollers arounds. I will definitely be test driving it soon. As always, thanks for an outstanding video. You guys are always killing it.
To my eye, this is a very attractive vehicle. I’m not usually a fan of plastic body cladding, but this is tastefully done compared to some recent Subaru vehicles. If I were shopping for a something in this segment, I would take a serious look at this.
Somehow I don't think Subaru cares. They have their built-in clientele. Who like the product. Seem to be a devoted bunch.
I saw a reviewer comparing this to the Outback and he nailed it. Subaru is functional. This Mazda is fashion. Most Subaru drivers aren't looking for fashion.
Really digging the styling and hope it sells well! Glad to see Dave Coleman still doing his handling magic with Mazda.
Dave trying his best to justify the torsion beam, I think we all know it's a cost cutting feature haha
True that, but 99% of the people shopping for one of these don't know a torsion beam from a kidney bean. If the dynamics are okay, nobody cares, and torsion beams are rugged and simple to work on.
Everyone that knows anything about suspension knows a multi link/IRS is more compliant and better handing. More space efficient as well
@@TalismanPHX how can it be more space efficient? it covers more space than a torsion beam
I used to own a 2010 Mazda 3 gt with the n/a 2.5l and 6 speed tranny and the torque of that motor was definitely the highlight of it. In virtually any gear you could give it some beans and it would just pull super hard, it was very impressive. I’d imagine they have used similar updated architecture in the 2.5 they have now so I could imagine how torquey and good that engine still is
I swear to god, I opened the video and a flock of very loud geese flew by. The savage geese gods have spoken.
I loved the conclusion featuring Moe Howard!!!
Thank you guys for yet another great review. By far the best car review show on TH-cam. I have always believed that Mazda is the only Japanese company that still cares about the enthusiast driver. Clean lines, telepathic steering, great quality and not that boxy, transformer look like Toyota, Subaru, etc bring to the public. Too bad they will not bring the Mazda 6 to the US. As an owner of Audi car for over 15 years, Mazda is the only Japanese product I would consider. Are they still using the 6 speed transmission? I may have missed it.
Enthusiast drivers dont want torsion beam suspensions.
@@marklion315 You may be correct. Obviously for a different driving function. And yes, the new CX-50 has 6 spd tranny. Why don't they finally come out with an 7 or 8 speed???. Long overdue.
@@federicopivetta7387 how about a manual?
@@steve9377 Completely agree, however most people don't drive manuals anymore. A dear friend of mine bought a Honda Civic Si manual and the salesperson did not know how to drive one. LOL. I learned how to drive a manual in an International pick up truck. 3 speeds on the floor. Soo much fun. Cheers.
@@federicopivetta7387 yea, a manual would be cool and it would be 6 speeds, but a automatic with 6 speeds apparently isn't enough, go figure
Dave Coleman's sound was crisp and clear, like I was listening in person.
Looking forward to, hopefully inevitable, head-to-head comparisons with similarly spec-ed/priced Subaru Outback.
The CX50 would be competing with the Forester. If there was a CX90 it would be a more natural competitor with the Outback, but even still not really. Tough to compare a Station Wagon to an SUV
@@ScottHasADog Counterpoint. The Outback is not a station wagon. The CX-50 is lower and wider than an Outback (63.5 vs 66.1, 75.6 vs 73) and less ground clearance (albeit by just a smidge) than the Outback. Neither are wagons, but I'd argue the CX-50 has more of a wagon "stance" than the Outback. (Length wise the CX-50 slots in between the longer Outback and shorter Forester. 185.8 vs 191.3 vs 182.7)
Definitely see that comparison coming, particularly with both models offering turbo versions.
Eagerly awaiting a possible review on the normally aspirated middle trim you guys spoke of!!
9.5/10 until the final 45 seconds, then you turned it up to 11.
His hair even grew back.
I bet those rims would look great on my 3...
Beautiful review as always. Dave Coleman explained things perfectly.
Would love to see an Outback/CX-50 comparison!
Bro, it’s time Americans wake up to Mazda!! Canadians (and Australians) have for a long time and we’ve all been the better off for it.
With $6/gallon fuel costs, Mazda really needs to focus on at least hybrids. Toyota is crushing the competition in this regard. Other than that, I have been and still am a huge fan of Mazdas. I currently have two.
I agree, they really need to start doing some form of electrification.
The CX-50 starts at $37,900 in Canada but includes the panoramic moon-roof. Wished it had the same base trim as I generally do not fit vehicles with sunroofs height wise. Thank you guys for the video, awesome as always!
Weird. Subaru gives us more value on base but Mazda loads them up and charges more?
CX-50 VS Subaru Forrester? I will take CX-50 anytime. Better handle and style from Mazda.
...and no stinking CVT!
Super happy you got this video out quickly. Thank You!
Helpful info! I wonder if they improved driver leg room (the CX5 was always annoyingly short for my knee room; surprisingly, the CX30 did better !).
The seat moves back and forth and up and down. Put it in the right position and there's plenty of space, unless you're extremely tall.
I had the same experience with the cx5. I test drove one and I had to cut it short because my left knee was about ready to give out. It's unfortunate because I loved the way it handled. Hope the cx50 solved this legroom problem for us tall drivers🙏
I wish I had started focusing on Savage Geese years earlier than I did; this was yet another good review (and the wig that Mark put on was wild; the effect was accentuated by his decision to dead-pan the delivery of his "final thoughts"). Thank you.
Driving a CX-50 does wonders for hair growth apparently. Thanks to Mazda's scientific prowess.😊
I was waiting for the end of the test drive embargo. When I saw you had done a review I nearly lost my mind because you guys are ALWAYS my go to for reviews and are the absolute best!!! Great job guys but coming from a CX 5 I’m still not sold. Hope this isn’t a bust for Mazda. I’m looking forward to the CX 70.
I’m also looking forward to a review for the NA version. 186 HP doesn’t feel like it’s going to be enough for this size of vehicle.
170hp doesn’t feel like enough in my 2.5 Subaru Outback, CVT
My car has 145 hp and a 4sp auto. It's enough. People have lost touch with how much power they need.
@@mitchellsteindler you must be those who do 60 mph on the very left lane on highway.
@@neroxyn7625 it easily does 110 mph. 85 all day long. Seriously...you don't need that much hp.
@@mitchellsteindler i have a legacy with 175hp. It’s enough for driving in the city but when you do highway merging here in the states that have speed limit of 60-70 mph you definitely feel the shortcomings.
My wife is on her second Mazda CX-5 and loves it. I really like it too. Was not sure about this model, and still not100% sold that we should look to buy one in the next couple of years, but this review has me interested in looking at it more closely for sure.
I like that Mazda's thought about roof accessibility. A lower roof, reinforced b pillars and door sills... It ain't quite wagon like, but it beats most crossovers...
Granted, my stubby family would still probably struggle to get a kayak up there, as the car itself is still pretty tall...
So I found myself thinking this morning, 'maybe I should check out this new CX-50', as I'm starting to think about replacing the wife's CRV. I waste 30 minutes of my life on the "review" from a competing youtuber who we will call R'sRs. I'm like, good god man this is a fricking commercial for Mazda and yet he's telling me absolutely nothing about the vehicle. So in frustration I say to myself....has SG looked at one of these yet? Why do I even bother with car reviews from anyone else!
I've said this before but here it is again. SG makes the best, most informative, creative, well produced videos, full stop. Thanks for the work! Not sure why I've not become a Patreon except to say that I tend not to do that, even for boobs. ...hold on.
Ah fuck it, just became a Patreon. I tend to not have time for things like live streams but, well, fuck it.
Not sure i see the reason for this, building Cx-5 and this at the same time kinda seems like a mistake, but i guess there is a market for both...but seems like this could have been the evolution of the CX-5.
Totally
Different
Customer.
@@marshalljames5640 Who is this customer?
Me and my wife fell over laughing at the ending theme music… reminded us of “The Polka Dot Door” lol!
Next they're going to take the independent rear suspension out of the Miata... for "more natural handling"
Always loved Mazda products
I'm having a hard time squaring the praise of the CX-50's cargo space with the stats I'm finding online. While the CX-50 is a bigger vehicle than the CX-5, the cargo space didn't benefit much: the CX-50 offers 31.4 cubic feet behind the second row, while the CX-5 has 30.9. For anyone looking for more internal space, direct competitors offer much more: 37.5 in the RAV4, 38.7 in the Tucson, 39.2 in the CR-V and 39.6 in the 2023 Sportage.
The only one of those I'd call a direct competitor is the Rav4. The rest compete more directly with the CX-5. The edge for the Mazda is interior refinement and NVH. The praise for the cargo capacity isn't how much of it there is, it's how easy it is to get stuff in and out, access the storage from the cabin, and how easy it is to use all of the space. The Rav4 gets more space by being taller, unless you're loading floor to ceiling, effectively they have the same interior capacity.
That's always been the downside of modern Mazdas. Significantly less cargo capacity than their competitors. But they generally win on more sophisticated exterior and interior designs. That said, all cu. ft. are not created equally, and I find longer/deeper cargo boxes more practical for packing. It would be nice to be able to research cargo dimensions BELOW the height of the seat backs in vehicles with hatches and lift-backs.
If you are filling it with a liquid or gas, yes.. For every day use, I appreciate a nice long load floor where I don't have to play tetris with my belongings.. The CX-50 will hold more at the seat line than you would think based upon the total rating (and likely more than several of those listed), which is due to the lower roof line. It is 3-4 inches lower than many other CUVs.
In my opinion the CX-50 is simply the best-looking SUV/CUV on the market period.