2026 Mazda CX-50 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition - Latest Drive Review

PRIMED FOR LONGITUDINAL LINE : The imaginary 0^o degree line separating Western Hemisphere from East passes from magnetic pole to pole, linking with its 180^o opposite to form the Earth's Great Ellipse.

The imaginary 0^o degree longitude line cuts mostly across oceans, from Arctic to Antarctic. The truly adventurous could skip and hop along to terrestrial stops such as Tema in Ghana, Cinkasse, in Burkina Faso, Gao in Mali, Stidia in Algeria, Castellon in Spain, Villers-sur-Mer in France, and finally Greenwich in the United Kingdom. And, like Lieutenant T.E. Lawrence, the modern expeditionary could hold the helm of the 2026 Mazda CX-50 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition as the rider-in-unison-with-steed.

2026 MAZDA CX-50 2.5 TURBO MERIDIAN EDITION AWD DIFFERENCES FROM LAST TESTED 2024 MAZDA CX-50 2.5 TURBO MERIDIAN EDITION:

2024 Mazda CX-50 2.5T Meridian - Re- Driven Trail Capable Review

ZOOM ZOOM TREADING ON TRAIL : The Earth’s 88th Meridian West lies 88o degrees west of the Greenwich U.K. Prime Meridian. Part of its longitudinal span from North to South Poles passes through the Great Lakes region of the United States and Canada, and more specifically through Roadblazing.com HQ

RoadBlazingGeorge Straton

• New for '26 the overland themed Meridian Edition is available with the $10,000 cheaper naturally aspirated 2.5L Skyactiv engine.
• New Included Features (on tested 2.5 Turbo model):
  • Heated & cooled 1st Row seats, heated steering, Bose 12-speaker premium audio, reverse tilting wing mirrors

2026 MAZDA CX-50 2.5 TURBO MERIDIAN EDITION AWD CARRIED OVER / SHARED WITH 2024 MAZDA CX-50 2.5 TURBO MERIDIAN EDITION:

Segment, Style & Finish:

• Overland theme, compact family crossover utility vehicle, 5 occupant seating
• The active lifestyle alternative to the classic CX-5, but based on the BP series CX-30
• Long proportion low slung hood, Mako shark nose, dark chain-link diamond cradle grille; wide body, emphatic hips; sloped roof, slim backlight; fully metallic and dark gray body and wheel cladding, front & rear fascia corner fangs, simulated metallic front & rear skid plates.
• Exclusively available in Polymetal Grey or Zircon Sand colors, with contrasting hood decals
• Assembled in Alabama, U.S.A.
• Contrasting hanging stitched leather seams on dark dashboard face and saddlery tan seats.

Performance:

• turbocharged 2.5L DOHC inline-4 petrol engine
• 6-speed automatic transmission
• electronic viscous clutch all-wheel drive
• Broad low to mid engine speed thrust
  • rated power - 253 hp, 320 lb-ft (with 93 AKI unleaded fuel; 227 hp, 310 lb-ft with 87 AKI unleaded fuel)
• 25 miles per gallon, 461 miles highway driving range
• Front strut, rear semi-independent, oversized vented four wheel disc brakes
• Quick ratio electric assist steering, heavy weighted resistance

Terrain Capability:

• Standard viscous clutch all-wheel drive
• Mazda Mi-Drive includes Off-Road mode, with descent control
• Falken Wildpeak all-terrain tires
• Rugged wheel arch and body splash cladding
• Extra 0.5" ground clearance
• -1 Lacks surround / trail camera, differential lock, descent crawl control

2026 Mazda CX-50 2.5T Meridian Edition AWD DRIVING HITS:

• Swell of off the line & passing acceleration
• Taut ride damping, Minimal body roll, minimal pitch
• Responsive steering, Consistent brake slowing
• Useful off-road ground clearance, still comfortable for occupant entry
• Surprising grip in sloppy mud and on gravel grassy inclines

2026 Mazda CX-50 2.5T Meridian Edition AWD DRIVING MISSES:

• This turbo is more about smooth torque
  • Still stuck with 6 transmission gears
  • Engine rasp under throttle
• Some pavement ride chop
• Longish brake pedal travel
• No reinforced underbody bash plates
• No driver activated center differential lock; No descent control
• Wind noise from "APEX" accessory roof platform

Safety:

• IIHS - Top Safety Pick Plus (2026 MY)
• 8 SRS airbags, rear camera, blind spot warning & avoidance, park warning (fore & aft, audible & visible), reverse tilt wing mirrors
  • i-Activesense 1.5 advanced driver assisting adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning, forward collision avoidance braking, lane departure warning
    • +1 Traffic sign recognition audible announcement
    • -1 Test vehicle lacked traffic jam or cruise lane keep assistance
• Adaptive headlights - available (tested)
• +1 Low cowl good forward view;
• -1 Slim rear backlight; -1 Small wing mirrors; -1 No surround camera; -1 No reverse auto-braking

Comfort & Convenience:

• Keyless entry, push button ignition
• 7.1" classic twin analog dial + Multi-information Display configurable TFT instrument cluster
• Sport Bucket front seats, good torso support
  • Terracotta saddle leather with dark piping, inverted on dashboard & door cards, all with hanging contrast stitching
• 2-zone automatic climate control, heated & cooled 8-way driver, 6-way pax power seats, heated tilt/ telescoping steering wheel, wing mirrors, wiper de-icer, 2nd Row climate vents & heated seats
• Power windows, full express x 4, 2nd Row privacy glass
• Power folding wing mirrors
• Power panorama sunroof + shade

Utility:

• Kammback cargo bay, available accessory liner
• Height adjusting power liftgate
• Low load liftover
• 60:40% split, flat folding 2nd Row seatback, cargo bay remote releases
• Long door pockets
• 12V bay accessory power supply
• - 1 Lower load height vs. Mazda CX-5; -1 No middle 2nd Row pass through

Infotainment:

• 10.25" Mazda Connect 3.0 landscape dashtop pod LCD infotainment screen
  • Knurled Mazda Commander rotary emote center console knob, touch reactive for smart phone projected apps
  • USB-C x 4 , Rows 1 & 2
  • 12V x 2, (including cargo bay)
• 12-speaker, 365W* Bose Centerpoint streaming audio, HD radio (*estimated)
• Bluetooth hands-free communication, SMS
• wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay projection
• Mazda Connected Suite Wi-Fi, Sirius XM satellite entertainment - by Subscription (with limited trials)

2026 MAZDA CX-50 2.5 TURBO MERIDIAN EDITION AWD PRICING:

• $44,675 price, as tested 2026 Mazda CX-50 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition AWD in Polymetal Grey ( CX-50 2.5L non-turbocharged Meridian Edition from $34,645)
• 3 years / 36,000 miles bumper to bumper; 5 yrs. / 60k miles powertrain warranty

LIKES ABOUT THE 2026 MAZDA CX-50 2.5 TURBO MERIDIAN EDITION AWD:

• Active adventure lifestyle travel vibe adds overlanding theme
• Generous cabin and cargo space for four persons and four roll-aboards
• All-weather & muddy off-road capable
• Six speed automatic will engine brake all that turbocharged torque
• Predictably stable & responsive on-road
• Quiet cabin on surface roads, exhibiting creak-free assembly
• Handsomely crafted cabin, exuding the aroma of a fine leather goods store
• Generous premium content (enhanced for 2026)
• Good 'ol analog dials, detail finished and crisp acting switchgear
• Bose Centerpoint audio excels at spatial accuracy

NOT PREFERRED ABOUT THE 2026 MAZDA CX-50 2.5 TURBO MERIDIAN EDITION AWD:

• No surround / trail cameras, center diff. lock or descent crawl control
• Raucous engine
• Wind roar from APEX accessory roof platform
• Ride chop (owing to lack of fully independent rear suspension)
• Squeaky steering wheel
• Unlined, hard pillar plastics and center console saddle
• Infotainment screen touch sensitivity only in phone projection mode
• Slim rear backlight hinders rear view
• Steering wheel spoke control button function script visibility poor (low contrast on chrome frames)
• Seat heating lacks memory