Long-term test update: 2023 Mazda CX-50

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ICYMI: We’re doing a long-term test with the 2023 Mazda CX-50. I previously listed some basic specs in this introduction back in May, in which I also gave my first impressions about this two-row SUV that is brand new to the North American market.

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I’ve been driving this top GT Turbo trim for a little over a month and I’ve got a few updates. However, I also thought this would be a good time to call in some reinforcements to help judge this family car and all that it has to offer, minus its off-road capabilities — but you can read a bit more about that in Clayton Seams’ first drive of the CX-50. 

You may remember my fellow Millennial moms, Mom One and Mom Two, who recently helped me review the 2021 Land Rover Discovery. Back then, we were Girl-Guide moms, but after hundreds of mosquitoes attacked our kids (and us), we swapped them into an entirely different activity that teaches totally different life skills — we’re now Superkids Karate moms. 

First thing’s first, let’s talk about the touch screen — mainly because I need to ensure I correct some specifics from the previous intro post. I may have complained about not being able to use the screen as a proper touch screen. I stand corrected, sort of. There is an option — hidden deep within layers and almost impossible to find without actually knowing it’s there — to force the screen to be used as a touch for Apple CarPlay. That said, it won’t allow you to touch anything unrelated to Apple CarPlay, nor does it make it much easier to use since the screen is a considerable distance to reach while driving. 

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Apparently, that’s been done on purpose. “Our philosophy, called the Heads Up Cockpit, is based around the driver being focused on the most important task in the vehicle, which is driving, and some fundamental design decisions came out of that basic foundation,” said a Mazda representative. 

He also explained the screen is intentionally placed higher in the dash to lessen the angle at which you’re glancing away from the road. It may be important to note, as Mom One pointed out, the screen is also placed in a bit of a dip in the dash, meaning it’s a tad awkward to touch the bottom of the screen. 

In regards to the size and looks of the 10.3-inch screen, especially in its Apple CarPlay view, Mom One exclaimed, “That’s what kids phones are going to look like soon!” 

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Mom Two asked, “Does this come off?” It does look a bit like the screen can be removed from its spot in the dash, but it doesn’t move (don’t try!). Although, how awesome would that be? A removable touch screen tablet in the vehicle that allows passengers to control the infotainment options would sure be nice to trickle down from über-pricey flagships. It would obviously have to temporarily disable the capability of changing anything related to the driving functions of the vehicle. Upon further thought, it may not be the best idea for my family.

Mazda also says the commander wheel and buttons in the centre console — the buttons used instead of the touch screen — should become intuitive. After being in this car for over a month, the knob has become a bit more intuitive to use and the screen being far from me has generally deterred me from consistently reaching out to it. 

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However, as the rep pointed out, while Mazda Connect is designed for the use of the wheel, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not. And to that, I can confirm; sometimes it’s just easier to tap on the screen rather than scroll endlessly. 

“I don’t know if I like this speed thing in the window,” said Mom One, referring to the head-up display (HUD). I understand the feeling of it being a bit distracting at first, especially if you’re not used to driving a car with a HUD. It’s something I can definitely live without.

Of course, we got distracted from talking about the SUV as the conversation strayed into topics surrounding the kids, shopping, first vehicles, and a plethora of other things that I can’t disclose — because what happens outside of Starbucks, stays outside of Starbucks.

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When we eventually did get back to discussing the CX-50, we all agreed on a handful of things.

1. The CX-50 doesn’t feel large, it actually feels like you’re sitting in a car instead of an SUV. Then again, it isn’t very large; it is a bit longer and wider than the CX-5, but it’s not as tall.
2. The cargo space is bigger than it looks. It’s 889 litres to be exact, but it’s a very usable space that’s wide as opposed to tall — meaning it’ll fit a ton of groceries without having to stack things on top of each other. (See pictures below for some various things I needed to fit into the trunk over the last few weeks.)
3. The Bose speakers are awesome!
4. Allergies have been terrible this year and even though you shouldn’t do it, rubbing your eyes just feels so good!
5. The back of the front passenger’s seat has a small pocket, but there isn’t one behind the driver. The lack of storage space, including the limited centre console space with a butterfly opening, isn’t very kid- or family-friendly.

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While discussing our own vehicles, ones that aren’t anywhere as new as a 2023 model, Mom Two said she can’t live without backup cameras anymore — same, girl, same. Luckily, the CX-50 has an awesome surround view camera and it’s easily accessible with a button to the left of the driver. It makes reverse or even forward parking really simple. 

Mom One said she can’t live without the blind spot monitor. As someone who regularly drives a 2014 Honda Odyssey without blind spot monitoring on the side view mirrors, I have to agree with Mom Two who said, “I do the looking over your shoulder thing. I’m old school.”

In regard to the second row, Mom One said, “Maybe it’s because we’re all short, but it feels like there’s a lot of space back here.” While it’s true, we’re all short, it’s also true that there is an adequate amount of legroom in the back — if one of us is in the driver’s seat. If any of our much taller husbands were to be driving, there would be a lot less legroom for those in the back.

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Mom One also noticed that there’s limited space for my three car seats. While this may be a great option for smaller families, it’s become quite the task for my family of five to leave the house together. It goes something like this: My daughter’s booster seat is in the middle, but she needs to remove it in order for my son to buckle into his high-back booster, then she needs to shove her booster back in between his seat and my youngest’s forward-facing car seat, then reach her small hand into the tiny space that houses her buckle. It works similarly with getting out; she has to get out first then remove her seat so he can unbuckle. Good times. 

Moms vs electric vehicles

Mazda says the “CX-50 will be available with a Toyota-sourced hybrid powertrain in a future model year,” but no further details are currently available.

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As such, I thought it was a good time to raise the question, “Would you ever consider a plug-in hybrid or fully electric vehicle?”

Both moms (and their husbands) have considered a Tesla as a future option, but Mom Two also explained wanting the option of a plug-in hybrid. During a normal week, most of the driving done is within short distances to school or the grocery store, but it’s nice to have that extra bit of reassurance. You never know when you’ll need some extra range for travelling in remote places without proper EV infrastructure. 

What’s next for this CX-50? Stay tuned because we’ll be taking this SUV on a road trip, filled with suitcases, activities, and hungry kids. Then, look out for a comparison at the end of July where I’ll be putting it up against the CX-5 for a little sibling rivalry.