Mazda CX-5 vs. CX-50: Which Crossover Fits You Best?
Mazda CX-5 vs. CX-50 is one of the most common questions shoppers bring into Palm Springs Mazda, and it’s easy to see why. The two crossovers sit close in size, share a similar name, and even share an engine option, but they’re built for slightly different priorities. The CX-5 leans into a lower, more traditional crossover feel with surprisingly generous cargo room, while the CX-50 trades a little of that for a longer stance, extra ground clearance, and an available turbocharged engine. Here’s how the two actually compare once you look past the badge.
Cargo Space: The Surprising Winner
Most shoppers assume the newer, longer CX-50 wins on cargo room, but the numbers actually favor the CX-5. The CX-5 offers 33.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 66.5 cubic feet with the seats folded flat, some of the most generous cargo space in its class. The CX-50 offers a still-respectable 31.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 56.3 cubic feet folded down, more than enough for weekly errands but noticeably behind the CX-5 once you’re loading up for a trip. Both crossovers seat five passengers, so the difference comes down entirely to how much gear travels with you, not how many people. If cargo room is your top priority, the CX-5 has a real edge despite its more compact styling, especially if you’re regularly hauling luggage, sports gear, or a stroller and a week’s worth of groceries in the same trip. Browsing Palm Springs Mazda’s new CX-5 inventory is a good way to see just how much room the cabin actually holds before you decide.
Size and Footprint: How They Fit on the Road
The CX-5 measures 184.6 inches long on a 110.8-inch wheelbase, giving it a compact, easy-to-park footprint for tighter lots and shorter driveways. The CX-50 stretches slightly longer at 186.1 inches on the same 110.8-inch wheelbase, with a wider stance and additional ground clearance of 8.3 to 8.6 inches compared to the CX-5’s 8.2 inches. That extra inch and a half of length and marginally higher clearance give the CX-50 a bit more presence and a small edge on rougher pavement or gravel, while the CX-5 stays the easier crossover to thread through a crowded parking structure. Neither difference is dramatic, but if you’re regularly navigating tight downtown parking versus dirt roads out toward the mountains, it’s worth factoring in before you commit to a trim. Checking out Palm Springs Mazda’s used CX-50 inventory is a good way to get a feel for the CX-50’s stance in person and see how it compares side by side with the CX-5.
Power Under the Hood: Standard vs. Available Turbo
Both crossovers start with the same SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, and the numbers are nearly identical: 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque in the CX-5, and 187 horsepower with 185 lb-ft of torque in the CX-50. The real difference shows up further up the lineup. The CX-5 sticks with the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter across every trim, paired with a 6-speed automatic and standard i-Activ AWD. The CX-50 adds an available 2.5 Turbo option producing up to 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque, paired with i-Activ AWD and Mazda’s Mi-Drive select system. Towing capacity reflects that split too: the CX-5 tops out at 1,500 pounds, while the standard CX-50 matches that at up to 2,000 pounds and the turbo model climbs to 3,500 pounds with towing mode engaged. If you want more power or plan to tow anything beyond light cargo, the CX-50 Turbo is the one built for it. Palm Springs Mazda’s service department can walk you through maintenance schedules for either engine option.
Shared and Different Technology Features
Where the two crossovers line up closely again is technology. Both offer wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Mazda’s i-Activsense suite of driver-assist features including blind spot monitoring and lane departure warning, and both have earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award. The CX-5 introduces Mazda’s largest touchscreen yet at 15.6 inches along with a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster and optional 12-speaker Bose surround sound, giving it a noticeably more premium cabin feel at the top trims. The CX-50 counters with standard Alexa Built-in, an available 360-degree view monitor useful for tighter trailheads or unpaved parking, and the same Mi-Drive terrain modes that pair with its extra ground clearance. Neither crossover is missing anything essential, so the choice mostly comes down to whether you value the CX-5’s larger screen or the CX-50’s outdoor-oriented extras and slightly tougher stance. The team at Palm Springs Mazda can walk you through current financing options for whichever trim fits your must-have list.
Which Mazda Fits Your Daily Drive in the Desert?
Think about how you actually use a crossover on a normal week, not just on an occasional weekend trip. If you’re mostly running errands around Cathedral City, want the easier vehicle to park, and would rather have more cargo room than more ground clearance, the CX-5 covers that daily routine well. If you’re regularly heading out toward Palm Desert or up into the mountains above Rancho Mirage, hauling gear for hiking or towing a small trailer, the CX-50’s extra clearance and available turbo power start to make more sense. Both hold up fine on the desert’s mix of highway stretches and around-town driving, so the real question is whether you’re optimizing for cargo room or for a little extra capability off the beaten path. Either way, the decision comes down to which set of trade-offs actually matches how you drive day to day, not just on the occasional trip out of town.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the main difference between the Mazda CX-5 and the CX-50?
The CX-5 is more compact with slightly more cargo space, while the CX-50 is a bit longer with more ground clearance and an available turbocharged engine option.
Do the CX-5 and CX-50 use the same engine?
They share a nearly identical base engine, a SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 187 horsepower. The CX-50 also offers an available 2.5 Turbo with up to 256 horsepower that the CX-5 doesn’t offer.
Which one has more cargo space, the CX-5 or the CX-50?
The CX-5 actually offers more cargo room, with 33.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats compared to the CX-50’s 31.4 cubic feet.
Do the CX-5 and CX-50 have the same towing capacity?
No. The CX-5 is rated to tow up to 1,500 pounds, while the standard CX-50 can tow up to 2,000 pounds and the CX-50 Turbo can tow up to 3,500 pounds with towing mode engaged.
Can I test drive both the CX-5 and CX-50 at Palm Springs Mazda?
Yes. Palm Springs Mazda keeps both crossovers in stock at 69200 E Palm Canyon Dr. in Cathedral City so you can compare them back to back.
Whether the CX-5’s compact footprint and extra cargo room or the CX-50’s added clearance and available turbo power fits your life better, the clearest way to decide is behind the wheel of both. Stop by 69200 E Palm Canyon Dr. in Cathedral City, or call (760) 328-2102 to set up a side-by-side test drive, and let the team at Palm Springs Mazda walk you through current offers and financing for whichever crossover ends up fitting your Coachella Valley routine best.
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