Hey guys,
It's been raining here in the east coast for the past two days and I discovered a leak above the rearview mirror area this morning. I brought the car to the dealership to take a look and they confirmed the leak with an exterior water test. They did mention that they're not entirely sure whether or not it's the windshield or moonroof yet as they would need to take apart the entire headliner to confirm. While they are working on my car, I was loaned the CX-50 Premium Plus and I noticed a few observations.
Overall, I would say that the 2023 CX-50 Premium Plus (non-turbo) feels like the 2016 CX-5 Touring in terms of overall vehicle dynamics and the steering wheel is very easy to turn compared to the 2023 CX-50 Turbo Premium. The non-turbo steering wheel feels like it has about 10 lbs. resistance and the turbo steering wheel feels like it has 25 lbs. of resistance and requires a lot effort to turn the wheel which gets fatiguing on long trips. If you were to ask me to choose between the light steering wheel or the turbo, I would rather pick the light steering wheel since it makes driving much more pleasurable and it definitely makes reacting to situations much easier. If there's a way to modify the electronic steering wheel assist somehow, that would honestly make this car much better.
Also, for whatever reason, the CX-50 Premium Plus seems much more forgiving over bumps than the CX-50 Turbo Premium even though both are 20 inch wheels. I did not check the PSI of the CX-50 Premium Plus yet but my Turbo Premium is set to 35 psi for all tires. I am thinking that it has something to do with the overall weight of the vehicles as the Premium Plus is 3,706 pounds vs the Turbo Premium which is 3,907 pounds or maybe I am going crazy
Savagegeese did mention the same thing about the heavy steering wheel as well.
2023 Mazda CX-50 | Trying the RAV4 Formula
Pics of headliner leak
View attachment 313474
View attachment 313475
It's been raining here in the east coast for the past two days and I discovered a leak above the rearview mirror area this morning. I brought the car to the dealership to take a look and they confirmed the leak with an exterior water test. They did mention that they're not entirely sure whether or not it's the windshield or moonroof yet as they would need to take apart the entire headliner to confirm. While they are working on my car, I was loaned the CX-50 Premium Plus and I noticed a few observations.
| Items | 2023 CX-50 Turbo Premium | 2023 CX-50 Premium Plus |
| Engine noise | Fake engine noise | No fake engine noise |
| Interior Chrome Trim pieces | Matte finish | Shiny finish |
| Seat bolstering | Center stitching protrudes a lot/butt feels tired on long rides | Center stitching is flush/seems more comfortable |
| Steering Wheel Feel | Feels plush/pliable/soft | Feels stiff/solid |
| Steering Wheel Resistance | High resistance/requires more effort to turn | Low resistance/much easier to turn |
| Suspension Stiffness | Very stiff/bumpy | Medium stiffness/more forgiving over bumps |
Overall, I would say that the 2023 CX-50 Premium Plus (non-turbo) feels like the 2016 CX-5 Touring in terms of overall vehicle dynamics and the steering wheel is very easy to turn compared to the 2023 CX-50 Turbo Premium. The non-turbo steering wheel feels like it has about 10 lbs. resistance and the turbo steering wheel feels like it has 25 lbs. of resistance and requires a lot effort to turn the wheel which gets fatiguing on long trips. If you were to ask me to choose between the light steering wheel or the turbo, I would rather pick the light steering wheel since it makes driving much more pleasurable and it definitely makes reacting to situations much easier. If there's a way to modify the electronic steering wheel assist somehow, that would honestly make this car much better.
Also, for whatever reason, the CX-50 Premium Plus seems much more forgiving over bumps than the CX-50 Turbo Premium even though both are 20 inch wheels. I did not check the PSI of the CX-50 Premium Plus yet but my Turbo Premium is set to 35 psi for all tires. I am thinking that it has something to do with the overall weight of the vehicles as the Premium Plus is 3,706 pounds vs the Turbo Premium which is 3,907 pounds or maybe I am going crazy
Savagegeese did mention the same thing about the heavy steering wheel as well.
2023 Mazda CX-50 | Trying the RAV4 Formula
Pics of headliner leak
View attachment 313474
View attachment 313475
