Mazda CX-50 Review: Good Value? Price, Specs & Verdict

There’s a specific thrill in finding a crossover that doesn’t drive like one—and the 2024 Mazda CX-50 is trying to be exactly that. Mazda is taking its reputation for sharp handling and throwing in a dose of rugged style, all while undercutting the Toyota RAV4 on price by nearly a thousand dollars at the base level, and this review breaks down where that money goes, what you trade for the lower entry cost, and whether the CX-50 actually delivers on its dual promise.

Starting MSRP (2024): $31,720 ·
Top Trim Price: $44,720 ·
IIHS Safety Rating: Top Safety Pick+ (2024) ·
Engine Options: 2.5L 4-cylinder (187 hp) / 2.5L Turbo (256 hp) ·
Towing Capacity (Turbo): 3,500 lbs ·
Cargo Space (behind rear seats): 31.4 cu ft

Six key facts, one pattern: the CX-50 prices like a mainstream crossover but drives like a premium one, and the trade-offs show up where you’d expect them.

Is a 2024 Mazda CX-50 a good car?

Key strengths and weaknesses

• Praised for sharp handling and upscale interior at the price point (Car and Driver editorial review)
• Critics note a stiff ride and less cargo space than rivals like the Honda CR-V (Car and Driver review)
• IIHS Top Safety Pick+ in 2024 (IIHS ratings)

Who is the CX-50 for?

The CX-50 targets buyers who value driving engagement and design over maximum passenger space. It fits someone who commutes on twisty roads, wants standard all-wheel drive for light off-roading, and will take a firmer ride in exchange for a more planted feel. Car and Driver (automotive review authority) sums it up: the CX-50 is the enthusiast’s choice in a segment dominated by appliance-like crossovers.

The implication: the CX-50 is an excellent vehicle for the right buyer, but “good” depends entirely on whether you prioritize driving feel or rear-seat room.

Why is the Mazda CX-50 so cheap?

Pricing vs. competitors

The 2024 CX-50 starts at $31,720, undercutting the Toyota RAV4 ($32,275) and Honda CR-V ($33,000) at their base prices (Edmunds pricing guide; Toyota official pricing; Honda official pricing). That price gap widens at the turbo end: the CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus tops out at $44,720, while a fully loaded RAV4 TRD Off-Road hits $44,820 and offers less power (Kelley Blue Book; Toyota official pricing).

Trim level cost breakdown

Kelley Blue Book (used-vehicle pricing authority) notes that the 2024 CX-50’s MSRP breaks down as follows:

• 2.5 S Select: $31,720
• 2.5 S Preferred: $33,350
• 2.5 S Premium: $35,700
• 2.5 S Premium Plus: $37,900
• 2.5 Turbo: $38,500
• 2.5 Turbo Meridian: $40,800
• 2.5 Turbo Premium: $41,800
• 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus: $44,720

The catch: the “cheap” label is relative. A loaded CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus costs $44,720, which is firmly in near-luxury territory. Mazda isn’t discounting its way to the bottom; it’s undercutting at the entry point and earning profit on well-optioned trims.

Is the Mazda CX-50 made by Toyota? Does it have a Toyota engine?

Mazda vs. Toyota joint venture details

The CX-50 is assembled at the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA plant in Huntsville, Alabama, a $2.3 billion joint venture that opened in 2021 (Mazda annual report). The plant also produces the Toyota Corolla Cross. However, Mazda and Toyota operate separate production lines within the same facility.

Engine specifications

No. The engine is a Mazda Skyactiv-G unit, not a Toyota powerplant. Edmunds (detailed vehicle spec library) confirms the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter produces 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, while the turbocharged version makes up to 256 hp on premium fuel. Both mate to a six-speed automatic transmission with standard all-wheel drive. A hybrid version arrives for the 2025 model year and will use Toyota’s hybrid system, according to Mazda’s product roadmap (Mazda USA official model page).

The pattern: the CX-50 is “made alongside” Toyota, not “made by” Toyota. The powertrain is pure Mazda, and the joint venture benefits are logistical and structural, not mechanical.

What are the disadvantages of the Mazda CX-50?

Common complaints from owners and reviewers

• Rear seat legroom is tight: at 38.6 inches, it trails the RAV4 (37.8 in) and CR-V (41.3 in) for passenger comfort (Car and Driver review)
• Fuel economy lags: the turbo model achieves 23 mpg combined, versus a RAV4 Hybrid’s 39 mpg combined (EPA fuel economy data)
• Infotainment system uses a rotary dial instead of a touchscreen (Mazda’s proprietary interface)
• Firm ride quality: owners on Reddit threads describe the CX-50 as “too stiff for rough roads” (Reddit CX-50 owner community)

Interior material trade-offs

The Car Connection (consumer vehicle guide) notes that lower trims use cloth seats and hard plastics on the lower doors, while Mazda reserves synthetic leather and more padded surfaces for the Premium trims. The dashboard design is minimalist and attractive, but the lower door panels feel cheap compared to the CX-5.

What this means: the disadvantages are real but largely predictable. The CX-50 sacrifices space and comfort for style and driving dynamics. If you need to carry four adults regularly or drive on unpaved roads daily, the RAV4 or Subaru Forester better suits you.

What should I pay for a 2024 Mazda CX-50?

MSRP range and dealer pricing

Kelley Blue Book (used-vehicle pricing authority) shows the 2024 CX-50’s starting MSRP at $31,720 and the top Turbo Premium Plus at $44,720. However, KBB also lists current market prices for used examples: a 2.5 S Select with 18,000 miles averages $23,900, and a Turbo Premium Plus with similar mileage sits around $30,300.

Best value trim analysis

Car and Driver (automotive review authority) recommends the 2.5 S Premium at $35,700, which adds a 10.3-inch display, a 10-speaker Bose audio system, a panoramic sunroof, and synthetic leather upholstery without forcing you into turbo fuel costs. For buyers who want the 256-hp engine, the 2.5 Turbo at $38,500 is the sweet spot, since the jump to Premium Plus adds $6,220 mostly for audio and convenience features.

The trade-off: average transaction prices hover near MSRP because demand remains strong. You likely won’t find big discounts on the 2024 CX-50. The real value play is buying a well-optioned 2.5 S Premium or a lightly used off-lease model.

Is the CX-50 worth buying?

Direct comparison: CX-50 vs. Toyota RAV4 vs. Mazda CX-5

Here’s how the three key players in the segment stack up across the metrics that matter most to a U.S. buyer:

The pattern: the CX-50 offers a more engaging drive than the RAV4 but less interior space. The CX-5 remains the more practical choice for families if you prioritize overall cargo room and cabin comfort over rugged styling and towing capability.

Long-term ownership costs

Car and Driver editorial analysis estimates cost-to-own for the CX-50 at roughly $38,000 over five years, including depreciation, fuel, insurance, and repairs. That’s about $1,500 less than the RAV4’s total and $800 more than the CX-5, primarily due to the CX-50’s lower initial price offsetting slightly poorer fuel economy.

“The CX-50’s sharp steering and composed body control make it one of the most engaging crossovers to drive under $35,000.”

Car and Driver (automotive review authority)

“I love the way it drives, but the interior plastic quality on the lower part of the doors makes me wish I’d spent a bit more for the CX-50 Premium.”

Reddit CX-50 owner community

The final verdict: the CX-50 carves a clear niche. For U.S. buyers who can accept a firmer ride and less cargo space in exchange for a genuinely sporty crossover that looks distinct and starts below $32,000, the choice is straightforward: buy the 2.5 S Premium. For everyone else, the CX-5 remains Mazda’s safer, more practical pick, or the RAV4 Hybrid covers the efficiency angle the CX-50 can’t touch.

Frequently asked questions