All-new Mazda CX-50 debuts with off-road capabilities and more

KUALA LUMPUR: Mazda earlier confirmed its plan to introduce a bunch of new SUVs over the next few years and the first one in the lot has arrived. Positioned between the CX-30 and CX-5, is the all-new CX-50.

Staying true to its positioning, CX-50’s size and proportions roughly match that of CX-5 and it shares some design elements with the CX-30. For instance, the chunky plastic fender claddings that you can see in the images.

Other highlighting bits on the exterior include - a gloss black wraparound trim around the grille and new headlights, significantly flared wheel arches, sporty black decals on the bonnet, and massive rear haunches.

Not to forget the wide rear door openings that make accessing the rook rack via stepping on the door sills super easy.

On the inside, the Mazda CX-50 like its siblings feature a minimalistic dashboard. However, unique to the SUV are its vertical air vents that can be seen guarding the digital instrument cluster.

What about Mazda CX-50’s mechanical details? At launch, the SUV will be offered with a couple of tried and tested engine options - a 2.5-litre SkyActiv naturally-aspirated petrol and a 2.5T SkyActiv turbocharged unit. A hybrid variant is on the cards and will be introduced at a later date.

The above-mentioned engine options can be found running the ongoing CX-5 wherein the naturally-aspirated unit pumps out 192hp/257 Nm and the turbo mill makes 228hp/420Nm. While in the CX-5 the mills are paired to a six-speed automatic gearbox, the CX-50 will offer all-wheel-drive as standard.

As for CX-50’s much talked about off-road capabilities, the SUV benefits from a drive mode selector with options like Normal, Sport, and Off-Road mode. The latter mode locks the differentials of the all-wheel-drive system and perks up the G-Vectoring system.

The Mazda CX-50 SUV will be the first brand offering to be built at the new Toyota and Mazda joint plant located in Alabama, US.

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