The Main Competitor of Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, in China Excites Russian Enthusiasts

The main competitor of Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V the Mazda CX-50 has classic 2 and 2.5 liter engines and a no less classic 6-speed automatic. But interestingly, automotive enthusiasts across the Chinese border, in Russia, are very excited about the new Mazda CX-50.

Official sales of the Mazda CX-50 have started in China. For a car in the basic version with a 2-liter engine, Mazda asks for $ 22,650, but the CX-50 with a 2.5-liter is priced at $24,900. I have been reviewing the Russian news website and noticed the excitement there because some think this news important in the context of the fact that the car may soon be delivered to the Russian Federation through parallel imports. It is no secret that the lion's share of new cars on the Russian market is now imported from China, and the Mazda CX-50 is clearly no exception. Both in China and in Russia, the CX-50 will act as an alternative to the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V.

The Chinese CX-50 is no different from the American version of the 2023 CX-50. In the basic version of the crossover we have 17-inch wheels, but in the top versions we have 19-inch. The manufacturer offered seven colors to choose from. The dimensions of the car are 4785 x 1920 x 1638 mm, the wheelbase is 2815 mm.

The interior of the Chinese version of the 2023 Mazda CX-50 is made in the style of Mazda, but, according to the Chinese resource Autohome, "for people who like all sorts of technological things, the interior may seem too traditional." And this is true: for example, in the CX-50 there is no digital instrument panel. Instead, there are traditional arrow scales. And on the central panel there is a small screen with a diagonal of 10.25 inches, which is part of the media system. The latter is built on a MediaTek SoC with an 8-core processor, supports the Apple Car Play interface and over-the-air updates.

There aren't so many options in the base trim of the Chinese version of the CX-50. The base trim includes a push-button start system, an automatic parking attendant, a rear-view camera. There is not even a steering wheel with leather upholstery and climate control. The top version has a projection screen, a panoramic roof, a 12-speaker audio system, keyless entry, dual-zone climate control and a surround view system.

The engines of this SUV are exclusively atmospheric. The 2-liter produces 155 hp, the 2.5-liter produces 188 hp. Both are mated to a 6-speed automatic. Interestingly, if in the CX-5 the rear suspension was independent multi-link, then in the CX-50 there is a torsion beam at the rear.

The significance of the article about the Mazda CX-50 is that it is the first time that Mazda has introduced a new SUV model in China since 2017. The CX-50 is a more rugged and adventurous alternative to the Mazda CX-5, and it is expected to be a popular choice among Chinese buyers who are looking for a stylish and capable SUV.

Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebok, Linkedin and Youtube.

Ref: IXBT.