The Mazda CX-50 or the CX-5? Which One to Choose!

You forgot two important differences. The CX-5 is 100% made in Japan while the 50 is produced in Alabama. Also, the CX-5 utilizes an independent rear suspension while the 50 goes “cheap” with a torsion beam.

Imo the infotainment is the best in these cars. People can’t touch my screen and change things plus no fingerprints. Knob is easy.

I would choose the Premium Plus CX 5. No turbos for me. Being made in Japan is also a good selling point.

The infotainment system is easy and basic in a good way. I actually use the knob mostly and love it. There is a favorite button, I have a lot in there , easy peasy. Plus the hand controls on the left side steering wheel. It took a couple weeks of me playing around and getting used to everything. It's second nature now.

As an owner of a 2023 CX-5 Signature, I performed the same comparison against the CX-50 a year ago. For me, the biggest advantage of the CX-5 was significantly more headroom in the FRONT seats. I am 6 feet tall so that made a big difference in the roominess of the cabin. Second, I do wish the CX-5 had a panoramic sunroof, but that was not a dealbreaker for me. Lastly, I find that the rotary knob to control the infotainment screen is very intuitive and easy to use while driving….it’s not a big deal. Note there are one-touch buttons adjacent to the rotary knob for navigation and entertainment.

I absolutely love my Mazda CX 5 for a lot of reasons but most of all its still made in Japan baby!

I just made that decision and went with a 2024 CX-5 Turbo Premium. I compared the CX-5 and CX-50 side by side in the showroom, sat in both. I just found the CX-5 more luxurious inside which was what I preferred. I liked the way the doors closed better on the CX-5. The CX-5 has painted wheel trims available which looks more upscale in my opinion vs plastic cladding. I actually prefer the regular size sunroof on the CX-5 over the panoramic. I like the extra headroom in the CX-5. We don't have passengers in the back seat very often so the extra legroom in the backseat that the CX-50 has over the CX-5 isn't a deciding factor. I would rather have the extra headroom in the front if I have to choose. The leather strip on the middle of the seats of the CX-50 bothered me and I don't know if it's something I could have gotten used to. I find the CX-5 seats more comfortable overall. Top it off that the CX-5 is a little less expensive and made in Japan although I wouldn't have a problem buying a car from the Mazda Toyota plant in Alabama. Our other car is a made in USA 2017 Toyota Camry probably from the same plant and it's been great.I never test drove the CX-50 so I can't speak to the driving experience between the two. I do love driving my CX-5 Turbo.

I would pick the CX 5

Mazda employs massive cost cutting in several areas on the CX-50 yet charges more...the hard plastics, the torsion beam rear suspension, the lower quality front seats, etc. And as noted, the CX-5 is made in Japan vs. Alabama. I would pick the CX-5 any day of the week. EDIT: not to mention the matte black cladding even on the top CX-50 trim, no thanks.

We just bought the CX 5 premium plus and like it very much . We chose it over the rav 4 and crv after test driving all 3 .

I just bought a cx 50 as needed a new car. Had a 2004 Acura MDX I bought new starting to have lots of issues. I tend to keep cars for as long as I can. The Mazda cx 50 size wise fits my needs now. Retired and a smaller suv better suits me. First Mazda for me and so far like it. Will see if this was the right choice as time will tell.

Being a newer model vehicle for Mazda, the CX-50 has had more issues/problems that still need tweaking, & the fairly new Huntsville, AL plant still needs some tweaking also, as the CX-50 & Corolla Cross vehicles they churn out tend to have more build defects, so examine the vehicles you buy very carefully. The venerable CX-5 is close to its last production year before a new gen is released, so it tends to have fewer problems/issues currently (& it is also built in Japan still).

It absolutely drives me nuts when the car reviews have the top of the range model when most people buy the basic level. I just tune out.

The US audience has spoken. In 2023 Mazda sold almost 45,000 units of the CX-5. The CX-50? Just 15,867. So an important difference is one sells nearly twice as well as the other in the USA. And it is the older CX-5 that outsells the CX-50 and is why they have not discontinued the older model because the newer one has not sold as well.

I looked at a CX50, but I couldn’t get it with Tan or Brown interior unless I got it with a turbo and I don’t want a turbo

I just test drive both today. The seats in the CX-5 were much comfortable. I think,the CX-50 looks better, and I loved driving it, but I couldn’t get that comfortable in it.

I got a cx 50 tpp! And I love it but thinking bout trading up for the all black cx70

I bought the CX-5 2.5 (No turbo). Good vehicle.

great video

I am currently leasing a CX5. I love it. It is a joy to drive, especially in the red paint.