(By Tom Lohnes) – The all-new, very confusing, Mazda CX-50 has been revealed, and it’s aimed straight at Subaru.
Poised as a rival to the Outback, the CX-50 is essentially an improved CX-5 with some more rugged looks and a slightly nicer interior. It is also expected to add an additional 150,000 sales to the company’s lineup, which is a pretty huge claim. Styling is far boxier and off-roady compared to the CX-5, and it has a bit more room inside. Also, the CX-50 gets a slightly revised interior with a larger infotainment system that sadly still isn’t a touchscreen.
Power comes from the same two motors the standard CX-5 has: a naturally aspirated, 184-hp 2.5L Inline-4, then a turbocharged version with around 250 on premium fuel. All models get the same dated 6-speed auto as well, and AWD comes standard, just like the Outback. Mazda claims that there is a hybrid and other electrified versions coming soon, as well.
So, that’s the CX-50. Not totally new, but a welcome addition that will give crossover buyers some choice when it comes to compact Mazdas. Pricing isn’t announced, but expect it to range between thirty and fifty thousand dollars.
