When the Mazda CX-50 first appeared a few years ago, it was evident the SUV could potentially step on the toes of the CX-5. This is due to the CX-50’s size and pricing which pushed it close to that model’s territory in showrooms.

However the two have proven they can co-exist with each other and Mazda has applied a light touch to the CX-50 for 2026 when it comes to updates. Will these minor tweaks be enough to help it stay fresh in the minds of consumers?

Meridian Edition CX-50 spearheads updates

When we said Mazda was applying a light touch to the updates for 2026, we weren’t kidding, with the firm only bringing two updates of note to the CUV for the 2026 model year. One is a new non-turbocharged option for the Meridian Edition, and the other is a new white leather upholstery option for certain trim levels.

While these updates are the equivalent of a tree falling unseen in a remote patch of woods somewhere, this minimal suite of updates means the CX-50 still has to rely on the core aspects of its personality to get by. The front end is still very sporty looking and the side profile of our tester arrioved with plenty of body cladding since Mazda sees the CX-50 as more of an adventure vehicle versus an urban cruiser prowling the mall lined urban jungle.

The side profile itself is reminiscent of its chief rival the Subaru Outback and it leads out to a tidy looking rear end. Meridian Edition models get trim exclusive graphics but the core look continues to ve a prominent selling point.

A comfortable interior

Slip inside the CX-50 and you’ll find that comfort continues to be the prominent theme of the day in the CUV. Our Premium Plus model had plenty of soft touch materials and leather seating surfaces but unlike other Mazda models, sportiness is on the backburner with our tester having chairs that trade in some of the ambitious bolstering for squishier cushions which is great for long distance commuting.

The second-row seats are a bit tight for tall people and unless your hauling children, they are best left folded down to help expand the CX50’s cargo room. You get less space than the Honda CR-V but our tester still managed to haul a decent amount of gear during its stay with us.

All CX-50s get a 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard but the screen itself is not a touch unit with a large rotary control knob being the main source of control in this system. Our Premium Plus tester arrived with the uplevel 12-speaker Bose premium audio system which delivered adequate sound quality.

A smooth operator

Performance for the 2026 Mazda CX-50 continues to come from two engines with lower trims getting a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder which is also used in several other Mazda models. This well-traveled engine makes 187 hp and is more than enough for most commuters.

However, if you want more performance, Mazda offers the turbocharged version of this engine. Here in the CX-50 it makes 256 horsepower and while the six-speed automatic is still a couple gears short of matching eight-speed units, the tuning here is focused on comfort with smooth acceleration and handling behavior that is focused on tuning out bumps and divots. When it’s time to go soft-roading, the CX-50 offers a dedicated off-road mode and hill descent control. It’s far from a Rubicon slaying Jeep, but it can go turn for turn with a comparable Subaru very easily.

With this strong focus on comfort, the CX-50 can easily make you forget about fuel economy with the SUV being in the lower rungs of the pack when it comes to that particular category. The EPA says a tubocharged model like our example can get 23/29 MPG in city and freeway driving. The non-turbo version is slightly more efficient but not by much with those models only getting 1 MPG improvements in both city and freeway driving.

Value Quotient

Pricing for the 2026 Mazda CX-50 starts at $29,900 for a base 2.5 S Select model. The big update here is the new non-turbo Merdian Edition which starts at $33,150 a noticeable discount over the $40,000 plus turbo version.

Move all the way up to a range-topping Premium Plus model like our tester, and you will be greeted with a base price of $42,900. Our tester didn’t have much in terms of optional equipment, and ended up with a price tag close to $45,000 thanks to various fees including the destination charge.

This pricing is on par with many of its rivals but the main problem here is fuel economy. Fuel economy has become more important than ever due to recent events and with the CX-50 being in the proverbial trenches when it comes to that particular regard, this fact of life might become a deal beaker for some budget buyers.