True to the off-road nature of the SUV, the CX-50 comes with added underbody protection for those rough nature trails. It also has a low roofline and wide-opening rear door to grant easy access to the roof racks without sacrificing the increased ground clearance. Powering the CX-50 is a choice of a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-4 or 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-4. Both have a 6 speed automatic system and all wheel drive for better performance off-road. Mazda didn’t reveal other specs of the engines but they are similar to what you will find in their other models which range from 187 hp to 250 hp output. Luckily, Mazda confirmed that electric version and also a hybrid CX-50 will be unveiled at a later date. To further enhance the driving experience, the CX-50 will have Mazda Intelligent Drive Select, or Mi-Drive system. It will allow the selection of driving modes : normal, sport, towing and off-road modes. Most off-road focused vehicles let you choose individual settings for sand, mud, gravel etc but not the CX-50. Mazda defended this decision by saying “If you’re off the pavement, off-road mode is the one you want,” says Dave Coleman, vehicle development engineer at Mazda R&D. “It’s as simple as that.” “While [multiple off-road modes] seems exciting in the showroom, we found it confusing off-road,” Coleman continues. “The real-world conditions are always some ambiguous combination of surfaces landing somewhere between the settings you’re choosing from. We firmly believe the most intelligent system in the vehicle is the driver.” Continuing with the outdoor theme, the Mazda CX-50 will have a Terracotta interior design, it is the same kind you find in modern outdoor equipment. For a splash of luxury, the SUV will have a panoramic moon-roof option, a first for Mazda. The automaker insisted that the vehicle will handle perfectly on non – off road situations too. The CX-50 will begin production in January 2022 at the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing plant in Huntsville, Alabama and arrive to dealerships later in the year.
