Best Crossover For The Money | 2024 Mazda CX-5 or CX-50 

I bought a CX-5 Turbo Premium in January. I liked the CX-5 over the CX-50. To me the interior seemed more luxury car level in the CX-5 which was my preference over the rugged style interior of the CX-50. The CX-5 felt more solid when closing the doors. Although not as wide there is more headroom in the CX-5 and I like the seating position better. I'm loving it so far. Quiet, quick, handles well, fun to drive, great Bose stereo. I'm happy that I was able to get the CX-5 without cylinder deactivation or start/stop engine. If I were doing a lot of off-road, pot holes, or dirt road driving, I would go with the CX-50 or Subaru Forester but for me, with mostly city and highway driving with lots of rain here in Florida, the CX-5 with AWD is perfectly suited.

I've had a 2018 CX-5 Touring, 2021 CX-5 GT, and now a 2024 CX-50 Premium Plus (all leased). I like the extra room and look of the CX-50, although now I feel the CX-5 is a better overall for me. The roofline is a little lower on the CX-50 and I kept hitting my head stepping in and out when I first got it, took a bit of getting user to. Also the added width and flared out fenders of the 50 caused me to curb my wheels a little a few times which I never did on my 5. But that's me personally. I do really love the handling of the 50. It seems to corner much better than the 5, could be due to the 20" wheels and wider tires, but the 50 feels more planted which is ironic for a vehicle targeted for a more off-road customer base, which I'm not. Next lease will probably go back to the CX-5, depends how Mazda updates it in a few years.

Jonathan in the end of the video you said it all, made in Alabama with cilinder deactivation. I'll the cx5 thankyou .

We have a new 2024 CX-5 Carbon Edition. Absolutely love it!

Thanks, Jonathan Since we already own 2 CX-5's (2015 & 2019) and are getting ready to trade/sell the older 2015 CX-5 for a new 2024 CX-5 Signature, and after looking at both, we still prefer the CX-5 over the CX-50. Although I'm really excited that Mazda will finally start making the CX-50 Hybrid later this year and will hopefully bring to the USA the new generation CX-5 in a hybrid model.

Test drove both, bought the CX-5. Don’t really haul large items and like the higher ground clearance. Also like that it’s nimble and drives like a sedan. CX-50 is nice too, but more for those who need more utility.

Another nice video, Jonathan. As someone who has had experience with both the CX-5 (2018 AWD and 2020 FWD) and the CX-50 (2023 AWD), both non-turbo I have to say that both vehicles have their merits. I enjoyed both CX-5's (the AWD was better regarding traction over the FWD model), but what I appreciate about the CX-50 is the longer and wider cargo area. Just the other week I had to bring an unbuilt bookcase to my daughter's house. It just fit in the CX-50, but would not have fit in the CX-5 (this is with moving the front passenger seat forward). There are some features of the CX-5 which I miss, such as the better side windows (I find there is more wind noise in the CX-50 over the CX-5), but the lower and wider CX-50 has less body roll than the CX-5. I say test drive both, and carefully consider what features are most important when choosing which model you want.

I was edging more for the CX-50 except for one thing. Cylinder deactivation. It was interesting they also made that available on the CX-5 but then they removed that feature. IMO, the reason they removed it from the CX-5 was from customer backlash. Generally speaking cylinder deactivation brings more problems then the tiny MPG improvement it brings. Unlike start/stop tech their is no way to turn it off. In short, its a show stopper issue for me. And being the trusty CX-5 threw that out I think Mazda knows many of their customers want no part of that. I think I'd get the turbo though. 187 HP would be a bit sluggish pulling a 3800 lb car. Also like they still use that 6 speed auto instead of CVT. People buy the CX-5 because they don't want any problems. Price point is competitive and they have them on the ground unlike the Yota which IMO, are not as reliable as this. These things can rack up a ton of miles and take a beating.

Cx 5 better made is made in Japan vs cx 50 in Alabama

None of the 2024 cx5 have cylinder deactivation?

I can't believe how much you get for the money in mazdas, if you want similar features in honda or Toyota it'll be probably be 40k + on a similar rav 4 or crv

Bought a cx-5 premium plus. Love it!

Waiting for the next generation CX-5.

We have a CX5 2024, love it. The fuel tank size is too small.. on both.. should be at least a 17 gallons, under thigh support for taller drivers as well.

I would choose a CX-5 over a CX-50, because the CX-50 looks sort of blocky-weird towards the rear IMO, & just more cheap/budget looking in-general due to more plastics & those awful front & rear cutouts. I would avoid any trims with the cylinder-deactivation tech added though regardless of what Mazda crossover I went with. Mazda shoots themselves in the foot IMO with certain awful/intrusive tech they force on consumers in order to meet fuel/economy regulations (cylinder deactivation & stop/start tech).

As always, Great car vid's. But.... Once again, Mazda misses the boat on Carbon edition. NO Sirius/xm. What is the deal with Mazda leaving this standard feature off the lower trims. Doesn't make sense. Oh wait, yes it does, you have to bump up thousands of $$ just to get a radio. More $$$ for Mazda.

They should add those nice 19 inch black wheels on other lower trim CX5 models. The 50 looks great & rugged but only in its 2nd year of production & not built in Japan..

Your video helped us. We bought a Machine grey select CX-50. Love th car.

Outstanding Video! The CX-50 definitely the better buy. Honda needs to follow Mazda's example in sticking to what really works instead of manufacturing terrible CVT engines. Good job!

Front left corner of the cx5 driver seat looks odd… is the Mazda cx50 seat curse spreading?? Love my meridian cx50 but others in all trims seem to be having the “leather” seats cracking. Mine is sharing to crease so cracking is next…

Can you gloss black all the plastic trim front and back and also the emblem as an upgrade ?

CX50

2 goods cars 😊

Cylinder deactivating is a proven failure of engines

It's going to be the CX-50 for me.

Cylinder deactivation wears down your engine faster than without it! I wouldn't be stupid to go with the activation! It wears out your starter, your fuel injectors, and piston rings! nah, stay a way from cylinder deactivation if you want your vehicle longevity!