Another Zoomy Crossover: Meet the Rugged Mazda CX-50

The Los Angeles Auto Show is this week — yes, it’s actually happening, as of this writing, and this author is boarding a flight for Cali tomorrow — and one of the vehicles that had been teased in advance of the show was the Mazda CX-50.

Your humble scribe was supposed to be in L.A. this past weekend to see it, but COVID caused Mazda’s off-site to be binned. Which is why I’m instead looking at press photos while sitting here in cold-ass Chicago.

The CX-50 is a new model, slated to be built in Huntsville, Alabama. It’s another crossover, full of the Mazda “zoom-zoom” ethos, but meant to be rugged enough for relatively light off-roading. All-wheel drive will be standard, along with a system of customizable drive modes. Two engines will be on offer — a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder or a turbocharged 2.5-liter four. A six-speed automatic is the sole transmission available.

Electrification is in the cards, and that includes a hybrid model, though Mazda is mum on further details at this point. A panoramic moonroof will be available for the first time on any Mazda. A terracotta interior color joins some new-to-Mazda exterior colors.

“This new Mazda vehicle has been developed for North America, particularly to support the active and outdoor lifestyles of customers in this region,” Jeff Guyton, President and CEO of Mazda North American Operations said in the press release. “The CX-50 encourages people to immerse themselves in nature without compromising on the premium design and outstanding on-road performance Mazda is known for.”

You’ll notice I’m not saying much on specs. That’s because Mazda will be releasing more info at a later date. For now, we can gaze upon Mazda’s newest crossover, which seems like a natural competitor to the upcoming Subaru Solterra and Toyota bZ4X.

One thing we do know — Mazda intends to begin production in January 2022.

[Images: Mazda]