Meet the 2026 Mazda CX-50: Where Luxury Hits the Trail
The CX-50 features more off-road-oriented styling and capability than its closely related, best-selling cousin, the Mazda CX-5.
The spirited Mazda CX-50 crossover SUV effortlessly offers everything an active, outdoorsy family needs, confidently handling both the urban commute and off-road trails without sacrificing luxury.
Stay with us as we meet the 2026 Mazda CX-50: Where luxury hits the trail.
What changes are in store for buyers of the 2026 Mazda CX-50?
For the 2026 model year, the Mazda CX-50 sees key changes focusing on improved rear passenger comfort and cargo loading utility.
A redesigned rear bench offers better legroom and support, and the cargo floor is now flatter and more accessible with a wider opening.
The exterior is enhanced with a slightly wider stance with more pronounced wheel arches, along with a refreshed front grille design and new signature lighting on upper trims.
The 2026 Mazda CX-50 is available in a lineup of seven trim level choices, which we will share more on a bit later in our article.
2026 Mazda CX-50 exterior design
The CX-50 sets out to look the part of the automotive equivalent of an adventurer and certainly stands out with its rugged accents.
As mentioned, the CX-50 now sports a wider stance and pronounced wheel arches finished in black protective molding. Talking about protection, the 2026 Mazda CX-50 is fitted with more than a fair share of body cladding to allow for worry-free off-road travels.
Depending on the model and the standard wheel size, the 2026 Mazda CX-50 offers between 8.3 and 8.6 inches of useful ground clearance for enhanced off-road travel.
Just some of the many standard exterior features of the CX-50 lineup include:
- LED headlights
- Auto on/off headlights
- High Beam Control
- LED daytime running lights
- Automatic rain-sensing variable-intermittent windshield wipers
- Intermittent rear wiper/washer
- Windshield wiper de-icer
- Black dual power side mirrors with LED turn signal indicators
- Body-colored rear roof spoiler
- Aluminum roof rails in Satin Chrome or Black finish
- Dual exhaust outlets with a bright finish
- Rear privacy glass
- AWD badge
All 2026 Mazda CX-50 trims are fitted with alloy wheels, and exterior color choices are dependent on trim level.
Does the 2026 Mazda CX-50 have a luxury interior?
The 2026 Mazda CX-50 features a decidedly upscale and luxurious cabin that rivals many pricier German luxury brands, and it will seat up to five passengers in its two rows of seats.
The durable and high-quality luxury interior is well-appointed and continues with the exterior's theme of an outdoorsy-oriented lifestyle.
The cabins’ features are designed and shaped for a comfortable and relaxed drive, with controls and panels within easy reach, all designed around the driver's line of sight, allowing you to stay focused on the road ahead.
The CX-50’s seating features stitching that mimics the pattern of hiking boot laces, plus neat touches like a textured surface finish on the center console, which is reminiscent of a telephoto lens grip.
The uncluttered dashboard features large square dashboard vents to allow for enhanced cooling from the dual zone climate control, highly appreciated by hot and sweaty passengers after a long hike.
The front bucket seats are comfortable and supportive, and all trim levels offer, as standard, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, push-button start, and a partially digital 7-inch LCD meter gauge display that includes a speedometer, tachometer, and fuel gauge in a classic-looking black background with white lettering and silver surround.
Interior storage areas for life's little travel necessities include:
- Glove compartment
- Overhead console with sunglasses holder and LED room lamp
- Center console armrest with tray and covered storage bin
- Front passenger's seatback pockets
- Front and rear door bottle holders/storage
- Rear seat center armrest with tray and covered storage bin
What infotainment features does the 2026 Mazda CX-50 have?
All trims are fitted with a 10.25-inch infotainment screen with the latest version of Mazda’s Connect interface, along with Alexa Built-in, Bluetooth, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.
A center console-mounted click wheel controls the systems, plus a wireless phone charger and an eight-speaker stereo are standard. Upper trims come with a 12-speaker Bose setup plus SiriusXM satellite radio.
How Much Cargo Can the 2026 CX-50 Carry?
The 2026 Mazda CX-50 offers a cargo area that is now deeper than it is wide, which can accommodate coolers, packs, and other travel gear lengthwise, plus a range of available Mazda accessories can make for easier storage.
The CX-50 has up to 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space available behind the second-row seats, growing to 56.3 cubic feet once the remote-fold 60/40-split rear seats are down.
Shoppers will get a powered rear liftgate that features programmable height adjustment on all trims aside from the entry 2.5 S Select.
What Engines are Available in the 2026 Mazda CX-50?
The 2026 Mazda CX-50 is available with two engine options, depending on the chosen trim level.
All 2.5 S models feature a SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter engine producing up to 187 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque, while the CX-50 2.5 Turbo models see the fitment of a Twin-scroll Turbocharger that ups the horsepower output to 256 with torque of 320 pound-feet when using recommended premium fuel.
A SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode is standard on all trims, with power going to all four wheels via the iActiv all-wheel drive system.
How Capable is the CX-50 off-road?
Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) technology allows drivers to switch between drive modes for optimized traction and responsiveness when tackling off-road trails.
The Mazda CX-50 offers four drive modes: Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and available Towing, allowing it to adapt to almost any driving situation.
Mazda’s i-Activ AWD system, unlike other basic AWD systems, is always engaged to proactively monitor the vehicle dynamics data of the CX-50 in real-time.
The system will watch out for variations in wheel loads that a driver may not notice and then automatically control the distribution of torque for more predictable handling in slippery and difficult conditions.
But that's not all. Working in tandem with the i-Activ AWD system is Mazda G-Vectoring Control Plus technology, which seamlessly responds to steering inputs and makes subtle braking and torque adjustments to enhance stability.
What is the towing capacity of the 2026 Mazda CX-50?
The 2026 Mazda CX-50 2.5 S trims, when properly equipped with a genuine Mazda Tow Hitch, offer a towing capacity of up to 2,000 pounds, while the more powerful 2.5 Turbo trims have a towing capacity of up to 3,500 lbs when engaging Towing Mode.
What gas mileage can owners expect from the 2026 Mazda CX-50?
While actual values may vary in real-world conditions, the EPA mileage estimates give a fair idea of what owners can expect.
Mazda CX-50 2.5 S models are rated at 24/30 mpg for city/highway, and CX-50 2.5 Turbo models are rated at 23/29 mpg for city/highway travel.
What are the trim levels and pricing for the 2026 Mazda CX-50?
We share just some of the many key features of the latest CX-50’s trim levels.
2.5 S Select
The entry-level 2.5 S Select kicks off at $29,900 with key features that include:
- Leather-wrapped gear selector
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Black half-leatherette-trimmed seats
- 17 x 7 aluminum alloy wheels with Black Metallic Finish
2.5 S Preferred
At $32,400, the Preferred adds features like:
- Heated front seats with 3-level adjustment
- Black or gray half-leatherette-trimmed seats
- Dual heated side mirrors
- Rear privacy glass
- Rear Power Liftgate with programmable height adjustment
2.5 S Meridian Edition
Starting at $33,150, the Meridian edition offers further features that include:
- AWD badge in Black finish
- 18 x 8 aluminum alloy wheels with Black Metallic finish
2.5 S Premium
At $34,900, buyers get upgraded items such as:
- Black or white leather seating
- Ventilated front seats
- Bose 12-speaker surround sound system with Centerpoint and AudioPilot
- 20 x 8 aluminum alloy wheels with Black Metallic and machine-cut finish
2.5 Turbo:
Starting at $37,900, the first of the 2.5 Turbo trims adds:
- LED combination taillights with signature lighting
- Adaptive Front-lighting System
- Windshield wiper de-icer
- Automatic power-folding side mirrors
- Windshield-projected Active Driving Display
- Paddle shifters
2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition
At $40,400, buyers can expect luxury niceties that now include:
- LED headlights with auto-leveling
- Heated steering wheel
- Terracotta leather interior
- 2-position memory function
- Mazda Online Navigation System with off-road navigation
- Meridian Hood graphics
- Side rocker garnish
2.5 Turbo Premium Plus
The range-topping Premium Plus is available from $42,900, with standout features that include:
- Auto-dimming driver's side mirror
- 20 x 8 aluminum alloy wheels with Black Metallic and machine-cut finish
- White, Black, or Terracotta leather interior
Purchase your 2026 Mazda CX-50 at Seacoast Mazda
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