2023 Mazda CX-50 vs. 2023 Ford Bronco Sport Comparison
Most compact SUVs spend most of their lives on tarmac. They are great commuter cars and family vans. And many are capable of easy off-road riding. But both their engineers and buyers agree with the realization that you wouldn’t expect to see them on a Moab trail.
But a handful are built to go there. Including the Mazda CX-50 and the Ford Bronco Sport. Let’s see how these two sport utility vehicles snuggling up in a grocery store parking lot or heading down to a kayak launch compare.
2023 Mazda CX-50
The Mazda CX-50 is Mazda’s most rugged SUV. It has the great driving character you expect from a Mazda. But it adds standard all-wheel drive, an off-road drive mode, and available all-terrain tires to make a trail companion, too. Prices start at $27,550.
Highlights of the Mazda CX-50
Torque vectoring: Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control system is common on luxury cars but rare in the affordable vehicle classes. It brakes each wheel independently to minimize body roll when cornering. Engineers use it to make handling sportier, and only Mazda would build a trail-ready SUV and make sure it’s a great handler first on the tarmac.
Also looks at home in a parking garage: Most SUVs capable of hitting the trail look tough in the woods and in the factory lot, and tough in front of a fancy restaurant. Maybe you don’t want to wear your technical cargo pants to the club. The CX-50 cleans up elegantly.
Available traffic jam assistant: Mazda Traffic Jam Assist can maintain a safe distance from traffic and assist with steering below 60 km/h. It’s not quite the self-driving car of your dreams, but it does take some of the driver’s workload off by providing a sort of mind-numbing driving that feels like work.
Check this week’s fair price or view CX-50 models for sale near you
2023 Ford Bronco Sport
If you want a traditional compact SUV, Ford will sell you an Escape. If you want something more capable on mud and sand, you want the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport. Yes, it’s a compact crossover like the others. But the GOAT (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) riding modes, standard all-wheel drive, and nearly 9 inches of ground clearance make it better than most on the trail. Prices start at $29,215.
Ford Bronco Sport Highlights
Proportioned for taller riders: More headroom. More legroom. More shoulder freedom. The Bronco Sport is smaller overall and has a shorter wheelbase than the CX-50. You would never know from the driver’s seat.
Five off-road modes, not one: Yes, these are both SUVs with standard four-wheel drive. But one of these companies has been building off-roaders for generations. The difference is evident in the drive settings. Mazda has one for “off-road”. Base Bronco Sport models have five. The more off-road Badlands trim has seven. Rock? There is a mode for that. Sand? The same thing. Dirt? Yes indeed.
Available Heritage model: If you like a vehicle that stands out, the 2023-only Heritage models are no doubt good. With a contrasting white roof and grille and red BRONCO lettering, the Bronco Sport combines 2023 technology with the cool retro look of the late 1960s. Buy one in Robin’s Egg Blue, play Marvin Gaye on the Bang & Olufsen sound system and you might just peak.
Check this week’s fair price or view the Bronco Sport models for sale near you
similarities
More off-road capability than most small SUVs, similar performance, similar mpg.
Diploma
If you’re looking for a small SUV to commute to work and practice with the kids, you have dozens of options. If you also want to cross the sand and mud, you have more limited choices. Both the Mazda CX-50 and the Ford Bronco Sport will take you where others can’t. The Bronco Sport will likely get you out of slightly sticky situations on the trail. But the CX-50 cleans up better. Otherwise they share many characteristics.
The choice between the two basically boils down to this: the Mazda is a little more fun on a paved surface and the Bronco Sport off it. Which trait appeals to you more?
specifications
| 2023 Mazda CX-50 | 2023 Ford Bronco Sport | |
| starting price | $27,550 | $29,215 |
| Popular powertrains | ||
| engine | 2.5 liter 4 cylinder | 1.5 liter 3 cylinder |
| hp | 187 hp at 6,000 rpm | 181 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| torque | 186 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm | 190 lb-ft at 3,000 rpm |
| transmission | 6-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| fuel consumption | 24 city/30 highway/27 combined mpg | 25 city/28 highway/26 combined mpg |
| Also available | 2.5 liter turbocharged 4 cylinder | 2.0 liter turbocharged 4 cylinder |
| specifications | ||
| base guarantee | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Overall Security of the NHTSA | open | 5 Stars |
| Maximum seating capacity | 5 | 5 |
| wheelbase | 110.8 inches | 105.1 inches |
| overall length | 185.8 inches | 172.7 inches |
| Broad | 80.8 inches | 82.2 inches |
| Height | 63.5 inches | 70.2 inches |
| turning diameter | 36.0 feet | 37.4 feet |
| headroom in front | 39.1 inches | 41.5 inches |
| Rear headroom | 38.6 inches | 41.7 inches |
| Legroom, front | 41.7 inches | 42.4 inches |
| Rear legroom | 39.8 inches | 36.9 inches |
| Shoulder room in front | 55.9 inches | 57.3 inches |
| Shoulder room at the back | 53.6 inches | 55.6 inches |
| cargo volume | 31.4/56.3 cubic feet | 32.5/65.2 cubic feet |