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I have heard on numerous reviews that steering on CX50 is quite heavy and may be bothersome for some people, especially during long drives. Can anyone comment and share their experience on this?
 

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2023 CX-50 Zircon Sand/Terracotta PPT
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I don't think the steering is heavy at all. It has what I'd call a less delicate feel at low speeds versus the various previous Mazdas I've owned or driven, but at regular road speeds it to me is fully responsive and "very Mazda". I actually find the steering feel with turns and on curves more appealing than my 2019 CX-5. Just feels more...solid, maybe, is the word, not that the CX-5 steering was vague or anything. To me, that perfectly fits the more offroad, somewhat rugged appeal of the CX-50.

Generally speaking, I've found some of the CX-50 criticism out there odd...really minor things or things that simply fall under personal preferences vs actual issues with the car. Plus with the Internet and all the individuals now who fancy themselves critic or reviewers, we lose the experience level of true critical thinking and instead have opinion masquerading as facts or people finding something, anything problematic to generate those clicks...best thing to do is to find a dealer willing to give you a test drive so you can determine how well the CX-50 or any vehicle meets your own individual expectations.
 

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I think it is a heavier steering than most cars these days, especially SUVs. Electric steering has made steering feel much more smooth and light. I can’t think of a reason why Mazda would make the CX-50’s steering so heavy. Makes no sense, as it doesn’t give any real feedback, especially when the suspension loads up in a corner. I will say that it doesn’t bother as I have driven sports cars all my life, so I’m use to a heavier feel.
 

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I don't think the steering is heavy at all. It has what I'd call a less delicate feel at low speeds versus the various previous Mazdas I've owned or driven, but at regular road speeds it to me is fully responsive and "very Mazda". I actually find the steering feel with turns and on curves more appealing than my 2019 CX-5. Just feels more...solid, maybe, is the word, not that the CX-5 steering was vague or anything. To me, that perfectly fits the more offroad, somewhat rugged appeal of the CX-50.

Generally speaking, I've found some of the CX-50 criticism out there odd...really minor things or things that simply fall under personal preferences vs actual issues with the car. Plus with the Internet and all the individuals now who fancy themselves critic or reviewers, we lose the experience level of true critical thinking and instead have opinion masquerading as facts or people finding something, anything problematic to generate those clicks...best thing to do is to find a dealer willing to give you a test drive so you can determine how well the CX-50 or any vehicle meets your own individual expectations.
Well said
 

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I have been driving my CX 50 for a few weeks now and honestly do not love the steering weight at low speeds. Heavier steering is great for high speed stability but this car is a chore to muscle around in parking lots. It’s excessive, and unnecessary. Mazda should have fitted a speed-sensitive rack with about 25% less heft below 15 mph.

It’s funny looking back on the test drive because I didn’t really notice it too much, but yesterday after a whole day driving in and around Boston my hands were sore from cranking that wheel 500 times.

My previous car was at ‘21 Rogue SL which I thought had equally good steering at mid-high speeds and much more comfortable weight at low speeds.
 

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16.5 CX-5 Touring/2023 CX-50 Turbo Premium
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I have heard on numerous reviews that steering on CX50 is quite heavy and may be bothersome for some people, especially during long drives. Can anyone comment and share their experience on this?
I don't have any issues with the steering wheel on long drives but I do think the CX-5 steering wheel feels more natural, especially the layout of the multimedia buttons. Then again, like anything new, it takes some getting used to.
 

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Our new CX is my wife’s vehicle. She is a tiny lady but has never once mentioned to me that the steering feels stiff or heavy for her. Just the opposite. She has stated that her previous vehicle tended to feel “sloppy” on the road. She says this one makes her feel like she is in total control of the steering. But in all fairness, most of her driving is in a rural area and not in heavy city traffic.
 

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I haven't minded the heavier feel of the steering generally speaking... I can make turns with one hand - its not THAT hard... but when doing 3 point turns into my garage in a tight back alley... I do notice on the slower smaller movements - its kinda noisy? which I find odd... heavy is one thing - but "hearing" the steering seems abnormal... anyone else experience this?
 

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I haven't minded the heavier feel of the steering generally speaking... I can make turns with one hand - its not THAT hard... but when doing 3 point turns into my garage in a tight back alley... I do notice on the slower smaller movements - its kinda noisy? which I find odd... heavy is one thing - but "hearing" the steering seems abnormal... anyone else experience this?
I read somewhere that this might be from the base of the signal light stem “rubbing” against the steering column. I’ll see if I can locate that posting again. If I remember correctly, a dealer was able to correct this.
 

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I don't have any issues with the steering wheel on long drives but I do think the CX-5 steering wheel feels more natural, especially the layout of the multimedia buttons. Then again, like anything new, it takes some getting used to.
I just wanted to follow up on my comment I made a few months ago. It would really depend on what type of vehicle that you came from as I came from a CX-5 and the steering wheel was extremely easy to maneuverer. Not to say that it wasn't heavy but there's not quite as much resistance as the CX-50 if I were to compare the two vehicles. I could corner very easily on highways, other tight turns and 3 point turns but on the CX-50, I have to exert more effort in doing it. On long drives (3-4 hours+), it's definitely not fun at all as my arms start to get tired so it would really depend on how the vehicle is utilized. If it's a city vehicle and you do only short trips, then you might not even notice it but if you go on long road trips, then it becomes fatiguing.
 

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I love the heavy feel but I could see how some who are used to driving heavily boosted/assisted steering systems may not like it. I used to have an '83 911 which is a car without power steering and mine had wide race rubber on it. Now that's heavy steering!
 

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I haven't minded the heavier feel of the steering generally speaking... I can make turns with one hand - its not THAT hard... but when doing 3 point turns into my garage in a tight back alley... I do notice on the slower smaller movements - its kinda noisy? which I find odd... heavy is one thing - but "hearing" the steering seems abnormal... anyone else experience this?
It's the electric assist you are hearing. In the driveway when you're turning lock-to-lock, you are making a relatively fast steering input and there is no road noise to drown out the sound.
 
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