Mazda has taken a really particular strategy to the CX-50’s dynamics. In response to the automaker, the automotive ought to carry out the identical whether or not you are cruising on backroads, working via a decent grime observe, or towing a heavily-laden trailer. Therefore, the CX-50 has 4 drive modes. There’s Regular, Sport, Off-Street, and should you join a hitch, Towing mode seems. Beginning in Regular mode, as Mazda understands the overwhelming majority of its journeys might be on tarmac, the CX-50 drives just like the CX-5. The experience is agency however clean, it is fast when referred to as upon, and all the things from the throttle management and braking is exact and responsive with out having any sharp edges. That appears like faint reward till you have pushed a contemporary Mazda and notice what a superb achievement that’s. The identical interprets into the dynamics, that are enjoyable whereas remaining predictable. The Mazda CX-50′s measurement additionally is not so giant that it feels unwieldy. One of many neat methods Mazda’s all-wheel-drive system pulls off is managing weight switch electronically whereas nonetheless feeling pure. The CX-50 is perhaps adjusting torque to shift a bit of its weight stability to the entrance wheels when it is aware of you are going to nook, however you will not really feel it, and should you’re pushing the automotive, you continue to want to have the ability to drive.
Sport mode is not a violent change within the CX-50’s perspective, however the gears maintain for longer underneath acceleration and downshift earlier when decelerating. On-center steering turns into extra responsive, and the CX-50 turns into wanting to deal with a twisting highway. As marketed, the Off-Street mode does not make itself obvious till turning right into a nook on a dusty observe, and it simply turns. Put it again in Regular mode and take the identical corners on the identical velocity, and also you’re all of the sudden making the corrections you had been anticipating. It is not a miracle employee, however it brings a real consistency to cruising a dust highway. On steep inclines, the AWD system shifts torque round to the place the load has shifted to and retains the grip constant.
Towing mode is a brand new one for Mazda, and once more, the key phrase right here is consistency. The AWD begins taking note of the truth that heavy load on the again lightens the load on the entrance wheels and adjusts accordingly whereas on the transfer. The result’s that you just discover a 3,000-pound trailer does not want the standard fixed small inputs into steering to maintain the car in a straight line. Merely turning off Towing mode with a trailer hitched up rapidly confirmed this.
