UPDATE: 2026/09/01 07:45 EST BY DAN CLOUGHER
The Upcoming Hybrid Model Will Close The Performance Gap
We’ve included a section that briefly covers the CX-5 Hybrid, set to arrive for the 2027 model year.
Mazda rests in a middle ground between mainstream and luxury automakers. For the most part, we would call the brand “premium,” since it’s not quite on the level of a luxury brand, but its models are typically nicer on the inside than most mainstream options. That said, Mazda’s higher trim levels are built with good quality, high-end materials, have simple, but elegant layouts, and feel nicer than their prices would suggest.
While Mazdas aren’t as expensive as most true luxury brands, higher trim levels can get pretty pricey. That’s why we prefer to find a three-year-old CX-50 Turbo, rather than spend more money on a lower-trim, brand-new CX-5.
All specs are sourced directly from the manufacturer. New prices are correct at the time of writing, and exclude destination, options, taxes, incentives, or potential dealer fees. Used car prices vary greatly depending on location, mileage, cosmetic and mechanical conditions, and more.
You Can Get A Turbo CX-50 For Less Than A New CX-5
The front of the 2024 Mazda CX-50.Mazda
The Mazda CX-50 has only been around for a few years, having debuted for the 2023 model year, and has already depreciated enough to cost less than a new CX-5. Starting with the CX-5, buyers can choose among five trims that start with the 2.5 S for $29,990, and end with the 2.5 S Premium Plus at $38,990 before destination and options.
One huge difference between the CX-5 and CX-50 is that than former lacks any Turbo trim levels. Models like the Mazda 3 sedan/hatchback, CX-30, and CX-50 all have top trim levels outfitted with turbochargers that offer more power and nicer interiors, but the CX-5 ends its lineup short of adding those extras.
That said, you could choose to buy a 2023 CX-50 2.5 Turbo AWD. It has a great interior that we’ll talk about later, a more powerful engine, and it only costs an average of $28,100 according to CarBuzz Marketplace price trend data. To reinforce its value proposition, Kelley Blue Book places its fair purchase price at $25,900 for the most basic Turbo trim, or up to $27,200 for the Turbo Premium version.
If those numbers aren’t enough to convince you, we went to the used market and found examples of listings around the country:
- 2023 Turbo Premium with 91,747 miles in Texas for $22,990
- 2023 Turbo Premium with 85,744 miles in New Jersey for $23,889
- 2023 Turbo AWD with 42,529 miles in New York for $26,862
- 2023 Turbo Meridian Edition with 56,815 miles in Michigan for $27,209
- 2023 Turbo Meridian Edition with 53,379 miles in Ohio for $28,990
After reviewing real-world data, we’re confident that you can find an average-condition CX-50 Turbo for less than the price of a new base model CX-5. Those with higher mileage can be found in the low $20k range, but even examples with more reasonable mileage are affordable.
What Makes The CX-50 Turbo’s Engine Great
2024 Mazda CX-50 2.5 Turbo Engine detail shotMazda
In Mazda’s world, “Turbo” is more than a method of forced induction. The brand uses the word “turbo” to represent its highest trim levels, which are also more powerful than its lower trims due to a turbocharger. When we drove the CX-50 a couple of years ago, our road tester discovered that most drivers would probably be comfortable in a non-turbocharged model, since it makes reasonable power and isn’t too slow. Nevertheless, the Turbo trims are our favorite for their ability to reach highway speeds more quickly.
Mazda CX-5 VS CX-50 Turbo Powertrain Specs
2023 Mazda CX-50 Turbo
2026 Mazda CX-5
Powertrain
2.5-Liter Turbocharged Inline-4
2.5-Liter Inline-4
Horsepower
227–256 hp
187 hp
Torque
310–320 lb-ft
186 lb-ft
0-60 mph
6.4 Seconds*
8.2 Seconds*
Top Speed
142 mph*
116 mph*
Max Towing Capacity
3,500 Pounds
1,500 Pounds
Fuel Economy
(city/highway/combined)
23/29/25 mpg
24/30/26 mpg
*According to independent testing
The chart above compares our two subjects for today. Buyers who choose the CX-50 Turbo can get up to 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque when using 93-octane fuel, but they don’t have to. The CX-50 is one of only a few cars that can comfortably handle using lower octane fuel, since most other cars should only use the octane rating recommended by the manufacturer. With regular unleaded gas, this Mazda makes 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, meaning it’s still noticeably quicker than the CX-5.
Our road tester found that the CX-50 was actually fun to drive, despite being a crossover. It’s obviously not as agile as a smaller, sportier car like the Mazda 3 Turbo hatchback, but it handles well.
“If you find yourself on a twisting road with no traffic around, the CX-50 is a little more agile than the CX-5, despite its extra few inches in length. The grip is plentiful on the larger wheels and tires of our tester, but it’s the CX-50’s overall ability to carve corners like a sedan that makes it so fun to drive.”
– Ian Wright, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzz (2024 Mazda CX-50 Drive Review)
The Upcoming Hybrid Model Will Close The Performance Gap
2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid model badgeJared Rosenholtz/CarBuzz/Valnet
Exact facts and figures are not yet known, but a hybridized version of the CX-5 is on the way very soon, and it will sport an all-new Skyactiv-Z engine, in addition to a hybrid system, of course. The electrical boost should see the CX-5 produce somewhere in the region of 200 to 250 horsepower, closing the performance gap between it and the CX-50.
Naturally, there will be an additional price to pay for this setup, further increasing the gulf between CX-50 and CX-5 prices, but that additional boost will likely prove enough to justify the extra cost, plus an expected increase in efficiency wouldn’t hurt either.
Does A Turbocharger Mean Higher Maintenance Costs?
2023 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus side profile.Mazda
Forced induction technology has come a long way since its production car introduction back in the 1960s. That said, turbocharged engines are technically not as reliable as naturally aspirated engines in the long run. Most drivers will probably never put enough miles on their car to see any major turbo-related problems — especially not in a Mazda — but you don’t need studies to tell you that more moving parts, increased pressure, and stress on internal components will result in parts wearing out sooner.
That said, many issues can be avoided by simply keeping up with regular maintenance. There’s no reason why a modern turbocharged engine, like the one powering the CX-50 Turbo, shouldn’t make it to 250,000 miles or more. Maintaining a turbocharged engine isn’t really much more expensive than any other. According to CarEdge, the CX-5 costs owners an average of $2,502 to maintain and repair over its first five years on the road. While the CX-50 hasn’t quite been around for five years yet, the same source estimates a five-year maintenance cost of $2,529.
CX-50 vs CX-5 Reliability Comparison
2026 Mazda CX-5 rear 3/4 angle while drivingIan Wright/CarBuzz/Valnet
Since the CX-50 has only been on the road for a few years, we don’t have much long-term data to compare exact reliability. However, the 2023 model year has enough data to provide an estimate of what owners can expect in terms of issues.
According to complaints submitted by owners to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the largest concentration of complaints have to do with the car’s brakes. Some people reported the automatic emergency brakes activating without cause or reason, while one other explained how the car needed new brake pads and rotors after only driving 22,000 miles. There aren’t enough complaints for us to consider these common by any means, but it’s something to double-check on a pre-purchase inspection.
The CX-5 is refreshed for its third generation for the 2026 model year, so we can’t say for certain how it’s holding up yet. However, it uses the same powertrain as its previous generation (2017–2025). The earlier second-gen model years have many complaints to the NHTSA about cracking cylinder heads that result in oil leaks and even engine failure. Engine-related complaints decreased after the 2019 model year (although owners continue to report major oil leaks for the 2020 and 2021 models), but there are some complaints about bad timing chains and valve tick with the 2022 and 2023 models.
Both Models Make For Practical Family Haulers
2024 Mazda CX-50 interior view of second-row seatsMazda
Both models make for good family cars that offer comfortable, soft seats, plenty of legroom, and a reasonably spacious cargo area. The 2023 CX-50 has 39.8 inches of legroom in the rear seats, while the 2026 CX-5 offers 39.9 inches. Cargo space for the CX-50 comes in at 31.4 cubic feet behind the second row and 33.7 cubic feet in the CX-5. Folding the rear seats down opens up the cargo capacity to 56.3 cubic feet in the CX-50, but the CX-5 has 66.5 cubic feet behind the front row.
Inside the CX-50, there’s plenty of space offered by the extra width over the CX-5. Legroom is about the same, which means there’s enough for large adults to be comfortable over longer journeys and kids will have no excuse for kicking the back of the front seats.
– Ian Wright, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzz
The 2026 CX-5 2.5 S (base model) is nicer than many mainstream base models from rivals like Toyota or Honda, but it can’t reach the CX-50 2.5 Turbo’s level. The basic CX-5 comes with dual-zone air conditioning, an eight-way manually adjustable driver’s seat, cloth upholstery, and an 8-speaker audio system to name a few highlights. The 2023 CX-50 Turbo Premium comes with leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, and more.
2026 Mazda CX-5 interior view of the second row seatsIan Wright/CarBuzz/Valnet
If you have a sub-$30k budget to spend on a two-row family crossover, Mazda has your back. Both the new CX-5 and CX-50 start at under $30k, but we would prefer a higher trim level — that’s where the used CX-50 comes in. There are plenty of listings around the country at reasonable prices that offer more features, power, and reliability (so far) for the same or less money than a new CX-5.
Sources: Mazda, AutoTempest, Kelley Blue Book, EPA, NHTSA, Car Complaints
