Ok found this from Mazda

 

But nothing there on my car. On either side. Front or back. Did they forget it?

Could it be behind the hood release lever? As in you have to remove that to use the diagnostic port? I’m not attempting to remove it till I’m sure it removable .

 

I'm curious, what do you intend to connect to it?

 

It is to the immediate left of the hood release when facing the dash in a recessed spot, so just out of view of your photo. If yours isn't there, perhaps it is loose and is dangling or stuck somewhere higher? My last CX-5's port was loose in the bracket and I found it a couple of times just dangling above it.

 

Lol I’m blind. My wife found it.

We use Allstate insurance and they have the drive wise device you plug into the port. If using this device you get a discount for the vehicle it’s in. Mazda warns not to leave anything plugged into the port. It’s just for diagnostics and anything left in it and drawing power can cause damage to electronics or battery. So I’m guessing we won’t be using it on this car. Have to see what Allstate says.

 

I find it funny they call it the "malfunction diagnosis connector", instead of just saying OBD.

 

I had trouble finding it and use Allstate Milewise as well (40% off Geico rates, albeit low annual mileage). Loving CX-50.

Thanks for answer.

 

Is there any other device that could be plugged into the port? For example, my I had a COBB access port that gaathered stats and diagnosted check engine codes.

 

In my 2016 WRX.