Frankly Frankl - April Update Mazda CX 50 - Frankly Frankl-life, luck, love and automobiles

 

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 has been a most pleasant surprise. Little thing that many testers don’t notice. Let me give you an example. On the screen in front  of you there are two lines pointing ahead. If you move over the white lines on the road one of them gets darker to give you a civilized warning that you should move back into your lane. No lurching on the steering wheel which in some cars can be pretty scary, no. Just a grown- up warning for grown-up people. Ditto the warning bells which on several rival brands verge on the hysterical. Clearly the in house and vastly overpaid lawyers
Are hacking a field data the expense of the customers.

It is also remarkable value for money. Having been testing for something like 45 years I could tell that the CX-50 is a triumph of the engineers over the money men. Many years ago when my partner and I ran CAR magazine in Britain

We often offended manufacturers if we thought that some of cars were rubbish. Totally predictably they canceled their advertising. That as we all know kills all germs, but like Domestos. What happened next? We got calls from the engineers who said thank you CAR, we’ve been telling the bosses that using an inferior suspension part or oil seal might save a few pounds in the short run but will come back like boomerang in warranty claims.

Some companies listened, we gave them deservedly better reviews and shock horror they started advertising again.

The CX-50 is fun. Clearly more fun with the 256 hp turbocharged four than with the basic 187 but than you would expect that. Certainly ,if you have a family and enjoy skiing you do not want to follow the trucks in the inside lane all way to Northstar then pay a bit more and get the bigger engine.
The 50 looks good and in the finest Miata tradition handles well. At the end of the day the trick is simple-let the designers and engineers get on with their jobs and you will have a winner on your hand. I would be happy to recommend the CX-50 to any of my friends.

There are 8 versions to choose from and I would definitely skip the ones with the smaller engines. Once you are with the 256 the choice really is up to you. Should you go to extremes and order the Turbo Premium Plus you are looking at 44 thousand dollars. Go to the dealer,kick some tires. Very often they have something on the lot they would like to move so if you are in luck the version they are offering could be be more than you’ve budgeted for but if they are anxious to shift it, go for it.
On the road you should get 28.5 miles per gallon provided you don’t drive it with too much enthusiasm.

The infotainment is less complicated than several others and the sound quality is good.
If I needed a car would be the CX-50 without hesitation. It is that good .