2026 · Compact SUV

Mazda CX-50: stopping, space, visibility and safety, measured

Mazda’s compact SUV with a 187-hp 2.5-liter four with a six-speed automatic, or a 219-hp Toyota-sourced hybrid, both with all-wheel drive.

Figures are for the CX-50 2.5 S Meridian Edition (2 trims in the catalog, listed below). Last checked Oct 3, 2026.

Open the CX-50 in the 3D lab

Where it stands among compact SUVs

#9 of 17Large suitcases, packed: 4
#7 of 17Rear knee room, 5 ft 11 in behind 5 ft 11 in: +3.3 in
#5 of 17Driver head room, 6 ft 4 in driver: +1.3 in
#5 of 13Fastest you can stop inside the low beams: 70 mph
#3 of 17Starting price, this trim: $34,745

Ranked against the default trim of every compact SUV in the catalog that has the figure.

At a glance

Starting price, this trim	$34,745PublishedMazda
Powertrain	2.5 L four-cylinder, direct injection, cylinder deactivation · i-Activ AWD (electronically controlled rear coupling)
0–60 mph, tested or claimed	8.4 sTestedCar and Driver
Braking 70–0 mph, tested	181 ft (55.2 m)TestedCar and Driver
EPA combined	26 mpg (9.0 L/100 km)PublishedEPA
Cargo behind the second row	31.4 cu ft (889 L)PublishedMazda
Large suitcases, packed	4Simulated from Mazda
Seats	5PublishedMazda
Crash ratings	NHTSA 5★ overall · IIHS Top Safety Pick+

Acceleration

Why some cars pin you to the seat and others just hum along.

Power	187 hp (139 kW)PublishedMazda
Torque	185 lb-ft (251 Nm)PublishedMazda
0–60 mph, tested or claimed	8.4 sTestedCar and Driver
0–60 mph, our simulation	8.4 sSimulated from Car and Driver
Passing, 50–70 mph	6.0 sTestedCar and Driver
Quarter mile	16.5 sTestedCar and Driver

Watch it in The Shove

Braking and stopping distance

The distance between "I saw it" and "I stopped" decides everything.

Braking 70–0 mph, tested	181 ft (55.2 m)TestedCar and Driver
Braking 60–0 mph, tested	118 ft (36.0 m)TestedMotorTrend
Wet road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction	369 ft (112.5 m)Simulated from Car and Driver
Dry road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction	284 ft (86.4 m)Simulated from Car and Driver
Packed snow from 30 mph, 1 s reaction	145 ft (44.2 m)Simulated from Car and Driver

Watch it in The Stop

Rollover

Where the weight sits decides how easily a car falls over.

NHTSA rollover rating	4★TestedNHTSA
Sideways slide that trips it into a roll	12 mph (19 km/h)Simulated, estimated inputs from NHTSA
Static stability factor (half-track ÷ CoG height)	1.25Simulated, estimated inputs from NHTSA

Watch it in The Tipping Point

Efficiency and running costs

At highway speed most of your energy is spent shoving air.

EPA combined	26 mpg (9.0 L/100 km)PublishedEPA
Fuel or charging, 15,000 mi a year	$2,583/yrDerivedEPA
Steady 75 mph, our simulation	30 mpg (7.8 L/100 km)Simulated, estimated inputs from Car and Driver
Drag coefficient	0.39DerivedEPA

Watch it in The Invisible Wall

Grip, snow and maneuvering

Four palm-sized patches of rubber. Every maneuver spends their grip.

Skidpad grip, tested	0.80 gTestedCar and Driver
Cornering grip, our simulation	0.80 gSimulated from Car and Driver
Pulling away on packed snow	0.32 gSimulated from Car and Driver
Turning circle	36.0 ft (11.0 m)PublishedMazda
Ground clearance	8.5 in (22 cm)PublishedMazda Canada
Tires	Falken WildPeak Trail 225/60R18 100H all-terrain (3PMS) · 225/60R18TestedCar and Driver

Watch it in The Grip Budget

Space, luggage and fit

Will your knees, your luggage and your kids actually fit?

Seats	5PublishedMazda
Large suitcases, packed	4Simulated from Mazda
Carry-ons in the space left	2Simulated from Mazda
Cargo behind the second row	31.4 cu ft (889 L)PublishedMazda
Cargo, seats folded	56.3 cu ft (1,594 L)PublishedMazda
Towing	2,000 lb (907 kg)PublishedMazda
Driver head room, 6 ft 4 in driver	+1.3 in (3 cm)Simulated from Mazda
Driver head room, 5 ft 11 in driver	+3.6 in (9 cm)Simulated from Mazda
Driver head room, 5 ft 4 in driver	+6.3 in (16 cm)Simulated from Mazda
Rear head room, 5 ft 11 in passenger	+3.8 in (10 cm)Simulated from Mazda
Rear knee room, 5 ft 11 in behind 5 ft 11 in	+3.3 in (8 cm)Simulated from Mazda
Rear head and knee, 6 ft 4 in behind 6 ft 4 in	+1.2 in head · −1.0 in kneeSimulated from Mazda
Front head room, published	38.6 in (98 cm)PublishedMazda
Rear head room, published	37.5 in (95 cm)PublishedMazda
Rear leg room, published	39.8 in (101 cm)PublishedMazda

Watch it in Live In It

Cabin noise

How loud is it inside at 70 mph, and what exactly are you hearing?

Cabin sound at 70 mph	70 dBATestedCar and Driver

Watch it in The Quiet Test

Visibility

Every car hides some of the road. How much, and who could be standing in it?

Road hidden in front of the bumper, 5 ft 9 in driver	30 ft (9.0 m)Simulated
Ground visible within 33 ft ahead	28%Simulated

Watch it in Can You See Me?

Headlights and night stopping

IIHS measured how far these headlights reach. Can you stop inside that light?

IIHS headlight rating	AcceptableTestedIIHS
Low beams, straight road (right edge)	335 ft (102.0 m)TestedIIHS
Fastest you can stop inside the low beams	70 mph (113 km/h)Simulated from IIHS
High beams, straight road (right edge)	422 ft (128.7 m)TestedIIHS

Watch it in After Dark

Crash safety

Official crash ratings side by side, and the physics of what happens when two cars meet.

NHTSA overall	5★TestedNHTSA
IIHS small overlap front	GoodTestedIIHS
IIHS moderate overlap front (updated)	GoodTestedIIHS
IIHS side (updated)	GoodTestedIIHS
IIHS award	2026 Top Safety Pick+PublishedIIHS
Curb weight	3,751 lb (1,701 kg)TestedCar and Driver

Watch it in The Impact

CX-50 compared

Trims in the catalog

CX-50 2.5 S Meridian Edition · from $34,745 · figures on this page
CX-50 Hybrid Premium Plus · from $42,045

Other compact SUVs

Sources

Badges: Published figures come from the maker, a regulator or a rating agency; Tested from an independent instrumented test; Simulated are computed by our physics from those inputs (how); Estimate means no published value exists. Confirm figures with the maker or your dealer before you buy.