Mazda CX-50 Baggage Check: How a lot cargo area?

The CX-50 is the marginally greater, appreciably extra American compact SUV from Mazda, becoming a member of the extra globally minded CX-5 final 12 months. Many would possibly surprise why Mazda wants each, particularly because the CX-50 does every little thing the CX-5 does properly and provides some uniquely worthwhile parts (model for one). I’ve to think about that promoting a CX-50 and CX-5 confuses individuals, too. Anyway …

The Mazda CX-50 has a bit extra cargo area on paper than the CX-5: 31.4 cubic toes versus 30.9. That leaves each under our present baggage check hierarchy of (so as of greatest efficiency on this check and never acknowledged quantity): Hyundai Tucson, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester and Mitsubishi Outlander, with the Kia Sportage someplace in there as properly (lengthy story, see under). Because it seems, the CX-50 is only a bit higher than the Nissan Rogue and method higher than the Ford Escape. All of the previous hyperlinks go to their respective baggage exams.

OK, now that I’ve put the cart earlier than the horse, let’s have a look at how I got here to that conclusion.

Yep, it is a cargo space. Not like many of the opponents talked about above, there are not any hidden methods right here. No dual-level cargo ground or sliding again seat for further area, no split-level cargo dividers … only a cargo space.

OK, so there’s a spare tire, which is not nothing. Some opponents, particularly the CR-V and Tucson hybrids, would not have them.

As soon as once more, a automotive that I am testing has not included a cargo cowl. This prevents me from testing with and with no cowl. Annoying. 

I can inform, although, that the CX-50 has a extra standard cargo cowl than the CX-5: It slides out from a single cartridge and attaches to mounting factors adjoining to the liftgate. The CX-5 has a niftier unit connected to the liftgate that slides up and out of the best way when the liftgate opens. See above proper.

OK, onto the baggage. As in each baggage check I do, meaning two midsize curler suitcases that will must be checked in on the airport (26 inches lengthy, 16 huge, 11 deep), two roll-aboard suitcases that simply barely match within the overhead (24L x 15W x 10D), and one smaller roll-aboard that matches simply (23L x 15W x 10D). I additionally embody my spouse’s fancy in a single day bag simply to spruce issues up a bit (21L x 12W x 12D).

Not surprisingly, every little thing match simply and there is loads of room left over. Beneath you’ll be able to see how Kia Sportage and RAV4 differ, as simply two examples. 

Now, let’s have a look at how a lot further stuff can match inside. For this, I will the identical backup gadgets I’ve used for all of the beforehand listed opponents, save for the Sportage. The backup gadgets have been in storage once I did its check, due to this fact stopping me from definitively inserting that on the chief board.

There you will have it: a 38-quart Coleman cooler and that blue duffel bag additionally match. That is the case with the Tucson, RAV4, Forester and Outlander with the Sportage seemingly, however in equity, a query mark. I truthfully do not know in regards to the CX-5 since that was one of many earliest baggage exams and I hadn’t began bringing out the cooler but. 

Now, regardless of becoming the identical gadgets as these above opponents, there’s a key distinction that in the end leads to the CX-50 on the backside of that pile. Notice how excessive every little thing is to the ceiling. This efficiency could be very near being a no-no right here at baggage check HQ, however the gadgets in query won’t fly ahead within the occasion of a sudden cease and there is adequate area to see out the again window — the 2 causes I do not simply stack proper to the roof.

To place it merely, extra visibility is maintained in these opponents and as such, they’re higher. Nonetheless, the CX-50 can actually maintain the identical stuff, whereas driving higher and, arguably, wanting higher, too. Looks as if a viable tradeoff to me.