Verified against primary sources
| Cost category | Estimate |
|---|---|
| 5-year depreciation | $11,183 |
| Insurance (annual) | $1,907 |
| Fuel or charging (annual) | $1,900 |
| Maintenance (annual) | $358 |
| Tires (annual) | $430 |
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined) | 27 MPG |
| Fuel economy (city / highway) | 24 / 30 MPG |
| Engine | 2.5L SKYACTIV-G I-4 |
| Horsepower | 187 hp |
| Torque | 185 lb-ft |
| Seating capacity | 5 passengers |
| Cargo space | 31.4 cu ft |
| Pillar | Score (0–100) | Class median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of ownership | 90 | 60 | +30 |
| Powertrain | 67 | 55 | +12 |
| Safety | 99 | 95 | +4 |
| Driver assistance | 32 | 38 | -6 |
| Livability | 60 | 44 | +16 |
The 2026 Mazda CX-50 scores 90/100 on cost of ownership — 30 points above the midsize suvs median. The Midsize SUV class median 5-year ownership cost is $61,184 (15,000 mi/yr, national average rates). Largest annual recurring expense: insurance.
The 2026 Mazda CX-50 scores 32/100 on driver assistance — 6 points below the midsize suvs median. All scores reflect standard equipment at base MSRP; optional driver-assistance packages are not scored.
The 2026 Mazda CX-50 scores 67/100 on powertrain — 12 points above the midsize suvs median. Key figures: 27 MPG combined, 187 hp.
Verdict
The 2026 CX-50 is one of the highest-scoring compact SUVs on MotiveGrid, delivering exceptional cost of ownership with strong resale value, five-star NHTSA safety, and Mazda's engaging driving dynamics. The cabin is well-crafted, and running costs are impressively low. The driver-assistance suite is adequate but not segment-leading. For buyers who want a compact SUV that's efficient, safe, and genuinely fun to drive, the CX-50 is one of the best values in its class.
Good fit for: Daily commuter
Best for
- Exceptional cost of ownership with strong resale value
- Five-star NHTSA overall safety rating
- Engaging driving dynamics with premium-feeling cabin
Watch out for
- Driver-assistance suite is adequate but not segment-leading
2026 Mazda CX-50
Five measured pillars, weighted into one score.
Cost, Powertrain, Driver Assistance, Livability, and Safety — each scored against its class, then combined into a single MotiveGrid Score. Built by our engineering team and benchmarked against independent sources like NHTSA, IIHS, and CarEdge. How it’s calculated →
Verdict
Based on median-price trimThe 2026 CX-50 is one of the highest-scoring compact SUVs on MotiveGrid, delivering exceptional cost of ownership with strong resale value, five-star NHTSA safety, and Mazda's engaging driving dynamics. The cabin is well-crafted, and running costs are impressively low. The driver-assistance suite is adequate but not segment-leading. For buyers who want a compact SUV that's efficient, safe, and genuinely fun to drive, the CX-50 is one of the best values in its class.
Good fit for: Daily commuter
Daily commuters seeking low per-mile energy costs and efficient performance
Cost of Ownership
Five-year cost is driven mostly by depreciation; maintenance is a minor share.
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State
Ownership Cost
Powertrain
Fuel efficiency weighed with long-term ownership confidence.
Reliability from NHTSA complaint records, adjusted for how many were sold. How we measure it
Combines real-world energy efficiency (EPA-verified MPG or MPG-equivalent vs. class) with long-term ownership confidence (warranty coverage, platform maturity, and reliability data). Methodology →
Driver Assistance
Strongest in highway driving support, but parking convenience and hands-free automation are limited.
💡 Tracks where the car can drive itself (highways vs. local roads) and how much driver supervision is needed (up to fully driverless).
PoorStandard driver assist — no hands-free operation
Combines highway support, parking convenience, and hands-free automation capability into one score. Methodology →
Livability
Easy to maneuver, but tighter on interior space.
Combines how comfortably this vehicle fits passengers and cargo with how easily it maneuvers in real-world conditions — normalized within its Midsize SUV segment for fair comparison. Methodology →
Safety
Top crash-test results paired with a full crash-avoidance suite.
Combines crash-test protection — NHTSA frontal, side, and rollover ratings plus the IIHS crashworthiness sub-tests (small- and moderate-overlap front, side, headlights) — with standard crash-avoidance technology. New model years without published crash tests are scored on crash-avoidance features alone and capped until tested. Methodology →
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MotiveGrid Score for the 2026 Mazda CX-50?
- The 2026 Mazda CX-50 earns a MotiveGrid Score of 86 out of 100. The score combines five pillars — cost of ownership, powertrain, safety, driver assistance, and livability — into one number, so you can weigh a vehicle's all-round strength at a glance.
- Is the 2026 Mazda CX-50 safe?
- The Mazda CX-50 carries an NHTSA overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars. MotiveGrid's safety pillar pairs federal crash-test results with the standard active-safety equipment fitted at base price.
- What is the 2026 Mazda CX-50 safety score?
- The 2026 Mazda CX-50 earns a MotiveGrid safety score of 99/100. The score combines NHTSA and IIHS crash-test results with the standard active safety equipment included at base price.
- What driver assistance features does the 2026 Mazda CX-50 include?
- The 2026 Mazda CX-50 scores 32/100 on driver assistance. MotiveGrid evaluates only standard equipment — features included at base MSRP — across four areas: highway automation, parking support, collision avoidance, and visibility aids. Optional driver-assistance packages are not scored.
- Is the 2026 Mazda CX-50 reliable?
- The 2026 Mazda CX-50 has an average reliability profile for its class, based on NHTSA complaint data. MotiveGrid calculates a reliability proxy score of 70/100 from complaint rates per 1,000 vehicles sold over a trailing multi-year window.
- What is the 2026 Mazda CX-50 fuel economy?
- The 2026 Mazda CX-50 is EPA-rated at 27 MPG combined. MotiveGrid uses this figure as the basis for its annual fuel or charging cost estimate.
- How does the 2026 Mazda CX-50 rank among midsize suvs?
- The 2026 Mazda CX-50 is in the top 11% of midsize suvs on the MotiveGrid composite score. All vehicles in the same segment are scored on an identical five-pillar framework, making the percentile a direct comparison.
- How does the 2026 Mazda CX-50 compare to the Mazda CX-5?
- See the MotiveGrid side-by-side comparison page for a full breakdown across cost of ownership, safety, powertrain, driver assistance, and livability. Both vehicles are top-scored options in the midsize suvs segment.
- Is the 2026 Mazda CX-50 spacious and practical?
- The 2026 Mazda CX-50 scores 60/100 on livability, which covers interior passenger space, cargo capacity, and maneuverability. This score is compared directly against other midsize suvs in the same segment.
Analysis by the MotiveGrid Engineering Team · MotiveGrid Score last computed 2026-07-03