Skyactiv-G 2.5 L engine 187 Horsepower -Enough Power?
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We have driven both the turbo and non-turbo CX-50 and decided to reserve a turbo. I think it’s a personal choice though based on expectation and driving style. I am coming from a 400 HP Dodge Ram. My wife has a CX-30 with the base engine and finds it very adequate. The other reason we chose the turbo is based on tongue weight / towing capability. We don’t expect to be towing but we will be using hitch mounted accessories like a bike rack and wanted the extra buffer for tongue weight.
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Thanks for the information; very much appreciated.
I agree, the added tongue/tow capacity would be nice.
I have ordered the pearl white non-turbo and hope to take ownership within two weeks. Unfortunately, I continue to think about the lower horsepower. Good to know the CX-30 is adequate.
Like yourself, I am coming from a large engine; BMW Z4 and X5. Just an FYI, the 2011 Z4 has turbo issues (wastegate) after 100k miles. Hence my turbo concern. My understanding is the average Mazda with a turbo engine is approaching 90,000 miles. Any knowledge about the Mazda Turbos?
Congrats on reserving the CX-50!
Thanks again!
I agree, the added tongue/tow capacity would be nice.
I have ordered the pearl white non-turbo and hope to take ownership within two weeks. Unfortunately, I continue to think about the lower horsepower. Good to know the CX-30 is adequate.
Like yourself, I am coming from a large engine; BMW Z4 and X5. Just an FYI, the 2011 Z4 has turbo issues (wastegate) after 100k miles. Hence my turbo concern. My understanding is the average Mazda with a turbo engine is approaching 90,000 miles. Any knowledge about the Mazda Turbos?
Congrats on reserving the CX-50!
Thanks again!
In my experience with car shopping, if you're already thinking about a feature, trim level, or engine that you'll be "ok" with or "settle" for over what you know in the back of your mind you want, you're going to be disappointed. You can always add accessories, rims, tires, etc., but the engine is with you forever. Just my opinion. Get what you can afford.
In regards to reliability, this is my first Mazda and turbo engine. I made my purchase solely banking on Mazda's track record and continued high marks on reliability to get 10 years and a min of 100k out of this car. Being on top of regular maintenance and overall general care, I have no worries about hitting this mark as I have with all my other cars.
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I have the naturally aspirated 2.5, got it last week. It feels a lot peppier in my wife’s CX30 due to size and weight. I know the turbo will be A lot faster but for the commute I do, plus I have a 1 year old, my lust for fast cars is over. To each their own. Just enjoy what you have!
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Agree, I am done with speed and at my age.....
How do you like the CX-50? I know only a week.
Thanks for feedback.
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I love it so far. Drastically different than my previous gladiator but the ride is much quieter. I just wish it was a little higher so driving down the road so you have a more suv like riding position but for someone who is 6’4 I find Mazda’s seats to be the most comfortable I’ve ever been in.
Plan on taking it up to Nantucket Memorial Day weekend then to Cape Cod in August. I know it will be a comfortable road trip vehicle for my family.
I’ve had my non-Turbo Premium Plus for 4 weeks now, coming from an older non-Turbo Outback. While the hp ratings on both are almost identical, the difference is night and day. The 50 is a delight while the Outback, as much as I have loved it over the years, always seemed to hesitate and then struggle to get out of it’s own way. They’re geared differently — the 50’s 6-speed transmission has been shifting flawlessly — and that’s probably no small part of the difference. Plus the steering is more responsive and the handling is a joy. I’m sure the Turbo is even more fun to drive but I just can’t make the cost/benefit analysis work for my purposes given the 50 is already such a step up in every regard. Drive them both and you’ll want the Turbo just because…“zoom-zoom”. But I am more than happy with the natural, especially in Sport-mode on our twisty local back roads where Turbo doesn’t really get you as much. JMO…
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I just wanted to follow up on my original post about the non-turbo engine. After driving BMWs (525, 740, X5 and Z4, and Mini) for the past 30 years, many models and all but one car had large engines I find the CX50 to be outstanding. The smaller engine has ample power and the CX50 drives and handles really well when compared to BMW.
I am now a huge Mazda fan! Go Mazda!
Thanks for all the replies to my post. I was not able to test drive the car before putting a deposit down on CX50. So, your thoughts were very insightful and helped me through the buying process; THANKS!
I am now a huge Mazda fan! Go Mazda!
Thanks for all the replies to my post. I was not able to test drive the car before putting a deposit down on CX50. So, your thoughts were very insightful and helped me through the buying process; THANKS!
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Update: I hit the 600 miles driving like a grandma in the right lane following trucks. Actually, I am learning to like the right lane; no stress!
However, when the odometer hit 600 miles I kicked the mule but the mule did not move! The 187 HP engine is great cruising on the highway and even on the back roads but from a dead stop it's a turtle. Just realized, I never used "Sport" mode. I will once I hit 1,000 miles.....going easy on the new engine.
However, when the odometer hit 600 miles I kicked the mule but the mule did not move! The 187 HP engine is great cruising on the highway and even on the back roads but from a dead stop it's a turtle. Just realized, I never used "Sport" mode. I will once I hit 1,000 miles.....going easy on the new engine.
I have 80k miles on the 2.5T in a 2018 Mazda 6 GTR. I've had two engine issues. At 45k miles, something in one of the cylinders failed that was replaced under the powertrain warranty. It happened right after the spark plugs were changed. At 75k miles, the coolant reservior next to the engine cracked and leaked. Not covered under the 100k warranty I had, cost $500 to fix. I was 500 miles from home when that happened.
I learned a long time ago that I can't drive comfortably in a vehicle with less than 225 HP. I keep 93 Octane in my Turbo Premium Plus to get that extra power (near 250 on Premium).
I travel Interstate too much and often have to make quick moves to avoid drifters and cell phone users. I like having the power to rely on.
The last non turbo vehicle I drove was my 2007 SUV, but it had a fully aspirated V6.
I travel Interstate too much and often have to make quick moves to avoid drifters and cell phone users. I like having the power to rely on.
The last non turbo vehicle I drove was my 2007 SUV, but it had a fully aspirated V6.
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We love our NA CX50. I guess the type of driving you do and where are you live may influence your decision on what engine is best.
We live in a rural area with not a lot of expressways or freeways. We have yet to have a problem merging onto any highway or passing a vehicle with this engine. Nor have we ever needed to “floor it” to do so. With just a minimum amount of advanced planning, you can easily drive in heavy traffic. Mind you, if I was driving on a 6 or 8 lane expressway all the time, I may have a different opinion?
The other consideration for us was that we drive in snow several months of the year. As most of us already know, rapid acceleration and snow (or wet highways) do not mix well. Each year I tow several vehicles out of the ditch with my 4x4, from those who accelerated or drove way too fast for the road conditions.
As you know, there is an increased towing ability with the turbo engine, however, we have already have our truck to address that. This extra towing capacity may be important to some, but remember there’s so much more to towing than just the GCWR of the tow vehicle.
Seldom if ever, do you want to tow something at your vehicle’s maximum towing capacity and remember to add several hundred pounds of “wet weight” to the “dry weight” of any trailer you might tow.
We were also concerned over the reported valve seal failures/oil consumption on the turbo models. I understand there currently is a class action lawsuit in the USA in regards to this. I am not sure if that concern has yet to be corrected or not?
The last consideration we had is that we usually keep our vehicle for 10 to 15 years. That is likely approaching or beyond the life expectancy of a turbo engine before expensive repairs are required. We did not want to put several thousand dollars into repairing our engine just prior to getting rid of the vehicle.
While the NA model will not be a “rocket ship”, but most drivers will discover it performs very well. Be comfortable with your decision. These are amazing vehicles and I suspect you’ll thoroughly enjoy yours.
Happy New Year to everyone on this forum.
We live in a rural area with not a lot of expressways or freeways. We have yet to have a problem merging onto any highway or passing a vehicle with this engine. Nor have we ever needed to “floor it” to do so. With just a minimum amount of advanced planning, you can easily drive in heavy traffic. Mind you, if I was driving on a 6 or 8 lane expressway all the time, I may have a different opinion?
The other consideration for us was that we drive in snow several months of the year. As most of us already know, rapid acceleration and snow (or wet highways) do not mix well. Each year I tow several vehicles out of the ditch with my 4x4, from those who accelerated or drove way too fast for the road conditions.
As you know, there is an increased towing ability with the turbo engine, however, we have already have our truck to address that. This extra towing capacity may be important to some, but remember there’s so much more to towing than just the GCWR of the tow vehicle.
Seldom if ever, do you want to tow something at your vehicle’s maximum towing capacity and remember to add several hundred pounds of “wet weight” to the “dry weight” of any trailer you might tow.
We were also concerned over the reported valve seal failures/oil consumption on the turbo models. I understand there currently is a class action lawsuit in the USA in regards to this. I am not sure if that concern has yet to be corrected or not?
The last consideration we had is that we usually keep our vehicle for 10 to 15 years. That is likely approaching or beyond the life expectancy of a turbo engine before expensive repairs are required. We did not want to put several thousand dollars into repairing our engine just prior to getting rid of the vehicle.
While the NA model will not be a “rocket ship”, but most drivers will discover it performs very well. Be comfortable with your decision. These are amazing vehicles and I suspect you’ll thoroughly enjoy yours.
Happy New Year to everyone on this forum.
I couldn’t live with the NA model. We test drove both before going with the turbo Meridian.
I’m in no way disappointed with the turbo but it for sure doesn’t feel overly fast for the size of vehicle. It feels adequate. Maybe somewhat anemic in the low to mid rpm range and you really need to wind it up to feel the power. Just my opinion. My wife was driving a Ford Flex ecoboost prior to this. That felt really peppy compared to the turbo CX-50.
I’m in no way disappointed with the turbo but it for sure doesn’t feel overly fast for the size of vehicle. It feels adequate. Maybe somewhat anemic in the low to mid rpm range and you really need to wind it up to feel the power. Just my opinion. My wife was driving a Ford Flex ecoboost prior to this. That felt really peppy compared to the turbo CX-50.
The 190hp (ish) 2.5 Skyactiv does not get its fair credit, its a wonderful engine, if a little light on power above 70mph. My wife and I had to use our CX-5 (with 150,000 miles) to drive to and from Montana in August because our CX50 hadn't arrived yet. And our CX5 did the trip like a champ. 4600 miles in 10 days.
I didn't expect nor want to drive crazy in tight mountain passes or gravel/off road conditions anyways. Slow and steady wins the race. And yes, I've also driven the NA CX5, and I feel its even better than the same engine in the CX5.
I didn't expect nor want to drive crazy in tight mountain passes or gravel/off road conditions anyways. Slow and steady wins the race. And yes, I've also driven the NA CX5, and I feel its even better than the same engine in the CX5.
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