Mazda CX-50 revealed

Mazda has officially taken the covers off the 2022 Mazda CX-50, an all-new mid-size SUV that has a more rugged edge than the CX-5.

Based on the same platform as the smaller Mazda CX-30 (and the Mazda3) but with a bigger body that sees it stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the CX-5, the CX-50 is designed exclusively for the North American market, which means it won’t be coming to Australia.

It’s the first Mazda model to be built at a new factory shared with Toyota in Alabama in the US, where production of the CX-50 is set to begin in January next year.

This plant will also produce the Toyota Corolla Cross, which will come to Australia via a production facility in Asia.

Striking a wide, boxy and muscular-looking pose, the new CX-50 will be positioned upstream of the CX-5 in the US.

From launch, the new SUV will be offered exclusively with Mazda’s SKYACTIV-G 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol and turbo-petrol engines, both paired to a six-speed automatic in an all-wheel drive layout.

Later, the Japanese car-maker says electrified powertrains will join the CX-50 range, including a series/parallel petrol-electric hybrid option.

Meanwhile, the CX-50 will also enter with the brand’s latest technologies, including its i-ACTIV all-wheel drive system with Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive), which the company claims helps the SUV “drive naturally in a wide variety of conditions, such as in exciting off-road terrain or providing reliable towing capabilities”.

Debuting new colour options, including a Zircon Sand exterior and terracotta interior options, the CX-50 also brings a new panoramic moonroof option.

Elsewhere, heavy-duty roof rails are fitted standard, along with reinforced B-pillars and door jambs, bolstering the off-roader as an adventure-focused model.

While the CX-50 is not bound for Australia, there’s a swag of new SUVs heading this way in the next few years – including four based on Mazda’s new large-vehicle platform.

The first of those will be the 2022 Mazda CX-60 due for release late next year, followed by the CX-70, CX-80 and CX-90.

Unveiling the new CX-50 overnight, Mazda North American chief Jeff Guyton said: “This new Mazda vehicle has been developed for North America, particularly to support the active and outdoor lifestyles of customers in this region.

“The CX-50 encourages people to immerse themselves in nature without compromising on the premium design and outstanding on-road performance Mazda is known for.”