2024 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition is a powerful performer with off-road capability

CX-50 debuted in the 2022 model year, and for 2024, Mazda made few significant changes. There are new shock absorbers and recalibrated power steering for improved handling manners. Mazda also added a more powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine and increased towing capacity to 3,500 pounds (only with the turbo motor). Select, Preferred, Premium and Premium Plus trims feature that selfsame turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine, rated 227 horsepower on regular gas and 256 horsepower on 93 octane premium fuel. Many desirable features become standard items, including a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery (baseball stitching), and heated front seats.

Built in the United States, this crossover SUV comes in a broad array of trim levels. There are 10: Select, Preferred, Premium, Premium Plus, Hybrid Preferred, Hybrid Premium, Hybrid Premium Plus, Turbo Meridian, Turbo Premium and Turbo Premium Plus. Four of them are equipped with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder, three with a four-cylinder hybrid, and three more with the aforementioned turbocharged engine. All Mazda CX-50s include standard all-wheel-drive replete with sport and off-road drive modes.

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For this week’s review, I drove the Turbo Meridian Edition, an appearance package based on two subdued colors — Zircon Sand or Polymetal Gray. Aesthetic upgrades include fresh headlight surrounds, rocker panels, and a subtle matte-black graphic on the hood. This outdoorsy looker, capable of engaging in moderately challenging terrain, is fitted with 18-inch wheels shod with Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail all-terrain tires. Curbside Meridian looks like a veritable wilderness beast. Light off-roading aside, Meridian lacks sufficient ground clearance and underbody protection for proper off-roading.

In the real world, most Meridians are destined to spend their days on city streets where hard acceleration speeds this compact crossover from zero to 60 mph in a little under seven seconds. A counterpoise to her strong acceleration, Meridian comes to a complete stop from 60 mph in 115 feet. CX-50's previously mentioned all-terrain tires, predictably make the ride a little rougher than street skins.

CX-50 offers goodly comfort for five passengers in two rows of seats. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, with moderately tight rear seat space. I liked how the self-leveling adaptive headlights swiveled as I turned a corner or followed a curve, improving illumination in an otherwise darkened abyss. Notable interior accouterment includes a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and push button start. The pallet-style roof rack is plenty sturdy for transporting canoes and bikes. Alas, the downside is how the overhead platform makes a deafening roar at highway speeds, loud enough that you may have to raise your voice to be heard above the din.

Base CX-50s feature an 8.8-inch infotainment display, while the other trims benefit from a larger 10.3-inch screen. One accesses the Mazda Connect interface via a click wheel on the center console. All models feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with wireless connectivity. An eight-speaker stereo is standard, but high-end Premium and Premium Plus models benefit from a 12-speaker Bose stereo and SiriusXM satellite radio. A wireless phone charger is available, albeit only on the top Turbo Premium Plus.

As for driver-assistance features, there are many, including lane-keeping assist and standard adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, and lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist and automatic high-beam headlamps. A 360-degree exterior camera system is optional. A significant caveat: Mazda reminds us that driver-assist features are not a substitute for safe, attentive driving. When behind the wheel, conduct yourself accordingly.

Finally, Mazda's basic warranty term runs for three years or 36,000 miles, with powertrain coverage good for five years or 60,000 miles.

Automotive journalist, Tim Banse, wrote The Gazette's Motoring car review column from 1989 to 2013 and has published stories in Popular Mechanics and Yachting magazine. He's toured carmaker factory floors in the U.S. and Japan and raced cars at Riverside, Watkins Glen, and Michigan International Raceway press events. He's stood close enough to a crash test to feel the shock wave reverberate off his chest. His first car was a vintage '56 Chevy Belair.