What the 2025 Mazda CX-50 lineup includes

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 comes in five trim levels — Select, Preferred, Premium, Preferred Plus, and Premium Plus — each with a choice of two engines and available all-wheel drive. The base Select starts around $28,000 and the top Premium Plus reaches into the mid-$30,000s before options. Every trim uses the same platform and interior layout, so the main differences are engine power, transmission type, and which comfort and safety features come standard versus optional.

Mazda groups features into packages rather than forcing you to buy everything at once. You can add a Premium Package to most trims that bundles leather seats, a power liftgate, and upgraded audio, or choose individual options like all-wheel drive, a sunroof, or a heated steering wheel. Understanding what each trim includes and what you'd be paying extra for helps you avoid overspending on features you don't need.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2025 CX-50 offers five trim levels from Select to Premium Plus, with prices starting around $28,000 for the base model.
  • You can choose between a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (181 horsepower) standard on all trims, or a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine (227 horsepower) available on Preferred and higher.
  • All-wheel drive is optional on every trim and costs roughly $1,500 to $1,700 depending on engine choice.
  • Feature packages like Premium and i-Activsense bundle multiple items together, but you can also add options individually to avoid paying for things you won't use.
  • The Preferred and Premium trims offer the best balance of standard features and price, while Select is the entry point and Premium Plus is for buyers who want every available feature.

Engine choices: standard four-cylinder versus turbocharged

Every 2025 CX-50 comes standard with a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that produces 181 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. This engine pairs with a six-speed automatic transmission and delivers fuel economy around 26 mpg city and 32 mpg highway with front-wheel drive, or 25 city and 31 highway with all-wheel drive. It's adequate for daily driving and commuting, though acceleration feels moderate rather than quick.

The optional 2.5-liter turbocharged engine becomes available starting at the Preferred trim level and produces 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. It uses the same six-speed automatic but delivers noticeably stronger acceleration and better passing performance. Fuel economy drops slightly to around 25 mpg city and 31 mpg highway with front-wheel drive, or 24 city and 30 highway with all-wheel drive. The turbo engine typically costs $1,200 to $1,400 more than the standard engine, depending on trim.

For most buyers, the standard engine is sufficient and saves money upfront. Choose the turbo if you frequently drive on highways, tow occasionally, or want quicker acceleration without stepping up to a larger vehicle.

Trim-by-trim breakdown of standard features

Select is the base trim and includes cloth seats, a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a backup camera, and Mazda's i-Activsense safety suite with automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping information. It has manual windows and locks, no power liftgate, and a smaller audio system. The Select is aimed at buyers who want a new CX-50 at the lowest price and don't mind basic interior materials.

Preferred adds power windows and locks, a power liftgate, a larger 8.8-inch touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, and heated front seats. This is where the turbocharged engine becomes available. Preferred is the most popular trim because it includes conveniences that make daily use noticeably easier without the cost of higher trims.

Premium includes leather-trimmed seats, a power driver's seat with lumbar support, a panoramic sunroof, a Bose audio system, and a power moonroof. It also adds wireless phone charging and a heated steering wheel. Premium is the choice for buyers who spend significant time in the vehicle and want a more upscale interior feel.

Preferred Plus sits between Premium and Premium Plus and includes most Premium features — leather seats, power driver's seat, sunroof, and Bose audio — but without some of the highest-end options. It's a middle ground if you want leather and a sunroof but don't need every available feature.

Premium Plus is the top trim and adds ventilated front seats, a power passenger seat, a head-up display, a 360-degree camera system, and adaptive headlights. It represents the full feature set and is for buyers who want everything Mazda offers on this model.

All-wheel drive and transmission options

All-wheel drive is optional on every trim level and costs approximately $1,500 to $1,700 depending on which engine you choose. The standard front-wheel drive is adequate for most climates and saves fuel, but all-wheel drive improves traction in snow, rain, and on unpaved surfaces. Mazda's all-wheel drive system is not full-time; it engages automatically when the front wheels slip, which balances traction with fuel economy.

Every 2025 CX-50 uses a six-speed automatic transmission regardless of trim or engine choice. There is no manual transmission option, and Mazda does not offer a continuously variable transmission (CVT) on this model. The six-speed is proven and reliable, though some competitors offer eight-speed or nine-speed automatics that may deliver slightly better highway fuel economy.

Feature packages and individual options

Mazda offers a Premium Package on Select and Preferred trims that bundles leather-trimmed seats, a power liftgate, and a six-speaker audio upgrade. On Premium and higher trims, a Bose Premium Audio Package adds a Bose sound system and typically costs $500 to $700. An i-Activsense Safety Package is available on lower trims and adds adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert — features that come standard on Premium Plus.

You can also add options individually: a panoramic sunroof ($1,100 to $1,300), a power moonroof ($800 to $1,000), a heated steering wheel ($300 to $400), wireless phone charging ($200 to $300), and a head-up display ($500 to $700). Buying packages is usually more cost-effective than adding options one at a time, but if you only want one or two features, individual options let you avoid paying for things you won't use.

Fuel economy and real-world performance

The standard 2.5-liter engine achieves EPA estimates of 26 city and 32 highway mpg with front-wheel drive, or 25 city and 31 highway with all-wheel drive. The turbocharged engine rates at 25 city and 31 highway with front-wheel drive, or 24 city and 30 highway with all-wheel drive. Real-world fuel economy often runs 1 to 3 mpg lower than EPA estimates, especially in city driving or if you frequently use turbo boost.

The CX-50 uses regular unleaded gasoline and has a 14.8-gallon fuel tank, giving it a driving range of roughly 350 to 450 miles per tank depending on engine choice and driving conditions. Maintenance intervals are 10,000 miles for oil changes, and Mazda's warranty covers the powertrain for three years or 36,000 miles.

Comparing 2025 CX-50 to similar compact crossovers

The CX-50 competes directly with the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Hyundai Santa Fe in the compact crossover segment. The CX-50 typically offers more engaging handling and a more upscale interior than the CR-V at a similar price, though the CR-V has a slightly larger cargo area. The RAV4 is more rugged and available with hybrid and all-wheel-drive standard on higher trims, but the CX-50 feels more refined on the road. The Santa Fe is larger and seats three rows, making it better for families with three children, while the CX-50 is strictly five-seat.

If you prioritize driving feel and interior design, the CX-50 is a strong choice. If you need maximum cargo space or a third row, look at the Santa Fe. If you want proven reliability and resale value, the RAV4 and CR-V have longer track records.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get all-wheel drive on the Select trim?

Yes. All-wheel drive is optional on every trim level, including Select. It costs the same regardless of which trim you choose, roughly $1,500 to $1,700, though the exact price may vary by dealer and region.

What's the difference between the turbocharged engine and the standard engine?

The turbo produces 46 more horsepower (227 versus 181) and 124 more pound-feet of torque (310 versus 186). It delivers noticeably quicker acceleration and better highway passing performance. Fuel economy is slightly lower, and the turbo engine costs $1,200 to $1,400 more upfront.

Is the Premium Package worth buying on a Select or Preferred trim?

It depends on what you value. If you want leather seats and a power liftgate, the package bundles them at a lower cost than buying individually. If you only want one of those features, buying it alone or stepping up to the Premium trim may be more cost-effective. Compare the package price to the cost of the next trim level before deciding.

Does the 2025 CX-50 come with a sunroof standard on any trim?

No. A panoramic sunroof is optional on Premium and higher trims and costs $1,100 to $1,300. It does not come standard on any trim level.

What safety features come standard on all 2025 CX-50 models?

Every trim includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping information, lane-departure warning, and a backup camera as part of the standard i-Activsense suite. Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert are optional on lower trims but standard on Premium Plus.