If you’re shopping for a new crossover, come to Bountiful Mazda to check out the 2024 Mazda CX-50, a vehicle that caters to a wide range of driving needs and lifestyles. This Mazda SUV impresses in almost every department, from performance and fuel economy to cabin quality and feature content. It faces tough competition from the Ford Edge, another extremely competent crossover. Read as our team in Bountiful, Utah, sees how the 2024 Mazda CX-50 matches up against the 2024 Ford Edge in this head-to-head comparison.
Trim Levels and Prices
The 2024 Mazda CX-50 is a highly customizable compact crossover. It comes in eight trim levels: the base 2.5 S Select, the 2.5 S Preferred, the 2.5 S Premium, the 2.5 S Premium Plus, the 2.5 Turbo, the off-road-oriented 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition, the 2.5 Turbo Premium, and the top-of-the-line 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus.
The CX-50’s starting MSRP ranges from $30,300 for the 2.5 S Select to $43,300 for the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus. If you want a better deal, you can take advantage of the manufacturer incentives Mazda offers, such as bonus cash, loyalty rewards, military discounts, disability discounts, low-interest financing, and lease specials.
The 2024 Ford Edge competes in the midsize SUV segment. It has five variants: the SE, the SEL, the ST-LINE, the Titanium, and the performance-focused ST. The SE starts at $38,465, making it considerably costlier than the entry-level CX-50. Opting for the ST raises the price tag to $47,205 or more.
Performance
The 2024 Mazda CX-50’s lower trims have a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower. For a more engaging driving experience, the Turbo model packs a 256-horsepower turbocharged version of the standard engine. This power plant enables the Mazda crossover to go from zero to 60 mph in a mere 6.6 seconds. Both engines work with a six-speed automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels.
The 2024 Ford Edge has more potent engines than its Mazda rival, which is necessary for moving its heftier body. Most models have a 250-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo-four that pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. With this setup, the SUV takes 7.6 seconds to accelerate from zero to 60 mph. Under the hood of the ST lies a 2.7-liter twin-turbo V-6 that serves up 335 horsepower, which is enough to cut the sprint time to an impressive 6.1 seconds.
Although it isn’t as powerful as the Ford Edge, the Mazda CX-50 impresses with its athletic and confidence-inspiring handling. This Mazda SUV boasts precise and well-weighted steering that makes it easy to control around turns, and it exhibits minimal body lean. Even with the non-turbocharged engine, it delivers an exhilarating driving experience on winding roads. If you routinely need to venture away from the pavement, consider getting the Meridian Edition. This trim has off-road upgrades, such as an 8.5-inch ground clearance, an “Off-road” driving mode, and all-terrain tires.
Due to its larger dimensions, the Ford Edge is more cumbersome to drive than the CX-50, especially in confined spaces, but provides a smooth and stable ride in most situations. The ST kicks driving dynamics up a notch or two with its sport-tuned suspension, sportier steering, and available performance brakes and tires. Still, it isn’t as light on its feet as the Mazda.
Fuel Economy
Besides more athletic handling, the Mazda CX-50 offers better fuel economy than the Ford Edge. CX-50 models with the standard engine return 24/30 mpg (city/highway), while the turbocharged ones dip slightly to 23/29 mpg. In contrast, the Edge earns 21/28 mpg with the base turbo-four and only 19/25 mpg in ST guise.
Interior
One of the Mazda CX-50’s most attractive aspects is its outstanding interior quality. This Mazda model features a refined cabin with aesthetically pleasing accents and soft-touch materials, making every trip around Bountiful a delightful experience. In comparison, the Ford Edge has a lot of hard plastic throughout its cabin, which makes it feel somewhat cheap.
Since it’s a compact SUV, the CX-50 doesn’t offer as much legroom as the Edge but can still comfortably accommodate most adults in both rows of seats. As for cargo space, the Ford is the clear winner, with a maximum capacity of 73.4 cubic feet, which is about 17 cubic feet more than the Mazda.
Infotainment Features
The 2024 Mazda CX-50 and the 2024 Ford Edge have intuitive and feature-loaded infotainment systems to make your trips easier and more enjoyable. The entry-level CX-50 has a 10.25-inch touch-screen display, a Wi-Fi hotspot, USB ports, HD radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an eight-speaker audio system. The Edge has the same standard technology features but offers a larger 12-inch touch-screen display. A wireless device charger, navigation, and a 12-speaker audio system are available on both SUVs.
Safety Features
Whether you choose the Mazda CX-50 or Ford Edge, you’ll have plenty of active safety features to help you detect potential hazards and avoid collisions. The two SUVs come standard with blind-spot detection, lane-keeping assistance, lane departure alert, forward automated emergency braking, automated high-beam headlamps, forward collision alert, and rear cross-traffic warning. The CX-50 seems to have a small advantage in the safety department, as it offers standard stop-and-go adaptive cruise control. This feature is optional on the Edge.
Test-Drive the 2024 Mazda CX-50 Today
The 2024 Mazda CX-50 may not be as powerful and spacious as the 2024 Ford Edge, but it’s more fun to drive and features a more upscale interior. It’s also significantly more affordable than the Ford. If you want to know whether the CX-50 can meet your expectations, come to Bountiful Mazda. Our friendly and highly qualified auto experts are ready to help you get behind the wheel of your dream ride and drive away with the best deal. Contact us today to schedule a test drive.
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