A Week With: 2026 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition

Mazda knows a good thing when it makes it. When the brand introduced the CX-50 in late 2021, it created a massive buzz. It supercharged Mazda’s transition to a crossover-dominated lineup. Four years later, nothing’s changed and it’s nearly the brand’s top-selling vehicle. More important, Mazda keeps making it better, as evidenced by the all-new 2026 Mazda CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition.

Once considered an affordable performance brand, it’s now affordable “near-premium” nameplate. The CX-50 is the keystone of that shift, and to ensure the lineup continues to evolve, Mazda introduced the CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition for 2026.

It was a massive hit when introduced a few years ago as a mild off-roader. With a wider stance, higher ride height than its slightly smaller CX-5 sibling, plus standard all-wheel drive, Mazda took advantage of a push by Americans to get outdoors — one of the few fun things we could do during the pandemic.

Performance without (much of a) penalty

The big news for Mazda for several years was the shift to an all-hybrid portfolio of crossovers. It meant better fuel economy and reasonable performance. The compact crossover is a strong performer, powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that puts out 187 horsepower. Of course, the Meridian edition is turbocharged, which means 250 hp.

Yeah, you give up 12 mpg on the highway compared to the non-turbo version (37 mpg versus 29 mpg), but the extra oomph is worth it. No one will climb behind the wheel and mistake it for an F1 or IndyCar racer, but when you’re looking to merge onto the freeway in rush hour or simply find yourself on a curvy road and want to have some fun, you can do it in the turbocharged Meridian Edition — without a massive penalty at the gas pump.

Actual numbers for the CX-50 Turbo Meridian are 23 mpg city, 29 freeway and 25 combined, which puts you right in line with competitors like the Acura MDX, GMC Terrain, Honda Passport, and Toyota Highlander.

Quite the looker

Earlier I called Mazda a “near premium” brand, and taking a look at the exterior design will support that assertion. It’s a simple, but contemporary design that looks like it could take you camping or to the opera … or anyone performing at Red Rocks Amphitheatre at the very least.

With its long hood and short overhangs, it’s easy to pick out a Mazda in a crowd of crossovers. The design of the CX-50 looks athletic and powerful, but also the length of the hood gives it a feeling like it simply cuts through the wind.

Since with its ample ground clearance, the CX-50 appears ready to take you off-road — on 18-inch alloy wheels and all-terrain tires — albeit not too far off. Our tester came with the Apex Package, which includes a black Roof Platform, Splash Guards, Black Wheel Locks and Lug Nuts, and CX-50 Meridian-exclusive Black Crossbars. If you want, there is a Mazda-branded roof top tent available from the dealer — for $1,899.

It’s the inside that counts

My “near premium” assertion gets further support once you slide inside the CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition. With heated and ventilated terracotta leather seats, which features 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support and 2-position memory and a 6-way power seat for the passenger.

Additionally, you get a one-touch panoramic moonroof and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, so once you’re behind the wheel, you can simply drive and enjoy. The cabin is extremely quiet — until you unleash the Bose system, then it’s like a rolling concert hall.

The Meridian Edition is stuffed full of technology, starting with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as wireless charging for your smart phone. Accessing the infotainment features is channeled through a 10.25-inch, which can be accessed using the “Multifunction Commander control,” which sounds good, but it simply a big dial that acts like a mouse or using voice commands. This is one dial I’m not onboard with as it forces you to scroll through different menus to make choices. It’s tedious, onerous and a real drag.

That said, the screen is well placed and next to the dial that I loathe is the feature I love: a volume knob. It’s not on the dashboard, but instead on the center console, abutting the armrest. No need to reach around a steering wheel to get at it, just move your hand up a bit and it’s right there.

Carrying things

In addition to the all the tech stuff, it carries people and cargo as well. Second-row passengers get a better-than-average amount of legroom, and the 60/40 split bench seat is comfortable. It says it will seat five people, but as a larger person, I’m certain three of me would not be comfortable back there for a trip of more than a couple of hours.

However, three average-sized adults should be fine and just two people will feel enjoy a relaxed space where they have privacy glass and USB ports to charge their devices and control of their own temperature setting.

The cargo space in the back is deceptively small. It looks big when you open the liftgate, but it’s a smaller space than what’s offered by the competition — but only slightly. Two couples could take a weekend trip together and have enough room for all of their bags — as long as they packed lightly. It would be hard for a couple to run out of room.

Our tester also came with the “Weather Package” which includes a very handy cargo liner that keeps everything dry as well as easy to slide forward and backward while packing and unpacking — especially golf clubs.

Would I?

Loaded with premium touches, offering great style and strong performance, the Mazda CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition gives Mazda one more entry in an already crowded field. You can get into a non-hybrid CX-50 for right around $30,000, plus a $1,495 destination charge.

Our tester begins somewhat north of that number at $40,400 and that doesn’t include the Apex Package at about $1,200. That said, it’s on the affordable end of the range for the compact segment, when equipped at this level and well below the average price of a new vehicle, which is currently about $50,000. Would I? Yes I would — gladly.