Another day, another new SUV. This time it’s the turn of the Mazda CX-50, a ruggedised US-only crossover-type-thing that’s part of a collaboration between Mazda and Toyota that’ll eventually see 300,000 cars per year (150,000 each) built at the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing plant in Huntsville, Alabama.

The CX-50 will sit above the CX-5 in Mazda’s lineup and will be based on the same platform as the 3 and CX-30. It’ll use the 2.5-litre Skyactiv-G engine in either naturally-aspirated or turbocharged forms driving all four wheels, and Mazda promises that there’ll be ‘electrification’ in some form or other to follow.  

Of course we already know that in Europe, Mazda’s electrification plan involves plug-in hybrid versions of a two-row CX-60 and a three-row CX-80.

Throw your thoughts on the CX-50 in the comments below. From where we’re sitting it looks like it could be yet another hit for Mazda – chunky but stylish off-road looks combined with a simple and easy-to-understand interior. Very nice.

STORY Greg Potts