Surprise: The New Mazda CX-50 Meridian Edition Is One Of The Best Cars I Tested On Tombstone Hill!

[@redskins1120]

Finally! An off-road video. I used to love this channel when they would go off-roading.

[@gsctht123]

Most of there videos have lost intrest to me. I stop them all the time now. So scattered across all the channels and they just ramble.

[@backwoodstherapy]

It's just now off roading season in Colorado where they're at. Lots of their trails in the mountains don't actually even open until the last half of June due to snow. Hell, the Ranger Raptor vs GMC AT4X video from a week or so ago was cut short because they got halfway up the mountain and there was too much snow to continue.

[@mr.2cents.846]

Yep, they're back off the road. 😁

[@overlandPNWGX]

Love the CX-50. Looks way better than any other crossover in its class. Not much of an off roader but will probably be enough for majority of people.

[@Tahara-Aichi]

Not old school by any means. Having a non cvt it's a big advantage for reliability. The fact I don't like any other vehicles it's because the trash CVT. This mazda is assembled in the same assembly line of the corolla cross.

[@mr.2cents.846]

Most people don't go seriously offroad. And most testers love the steering feel in this.

[@MacLaw3084]

@@Tahara-Aichiyep, you nailed it. I’d buy a CRV if the drivetrain was better and they didn’t use a cvt.

[@BlakeParker15]

It's not built to be a Jeep wrangler, but it can go a lot more places than a toyota corolla!

[@remoevans7847]

⁠@@BlakeParker15To be fair, Stellantis doesn’t build Jeep Wranglers to be Jeep Wranglers either.

[@backwoodstherapy]

"We used to bring subarus up here." Nice subtle shade there, André. 😂

[@shanesnyder7359]

LOL! You made my day!

[@smithjones1906]

Last year I took a CX-9 up a mountain in Nevada that had old, abandoned communications equipment at the top of it, and an accompanying old, abandoned "road" leading there. It wasn't as difficult as what you're doing, but it was enough for me to learn that Mazda's AWD system is legit. 11:24 so glad that rock didn't maul the side of the car! Close!

[@BlakeParker15]

I have a 2016 cx-5 ans I've taken it off-roading a couple times. It's quite capable!

[@MDHenry4]

I like that it has analog gauges and glad that it as a standard automatic transmission and no overheating standard fuel

[@thomasrossi31]

I was going to buy A Meridian cx-50... But the premium package offered so much more for only $500 additional. Love it so far.

[@reserva120]

Interesting, so it’s one or the other??

[@mr.2cents.846]

So you don't have the cool stickers? 😞

[@MrDaveB123]

Ya and its pretty east to change tires

[@ChrisDIYerOklahoma]

I went with the CX-50 turbo premium plus. Swapped out the 20" stock wheels with offset 18" wheels and A/T tires. Quieter, more comfortable, better handling on-road. I didn't buy it for off-roading...got a truck for that. But, I am sure it has some more capability now vs street tires. FWIW - feed this turbo CX-50 premium fuel (I even add Lucas octane booster).

[@keithlockridge406]

I owned a 2017 Mazda cx5 and off roaded it many times. Sport mode, slap the gear shifter to manual, and turn off tcs. With some slightly oversized falken wild peak trails that thing did everything I asked of it.

[@chrisnah6540]

Did he turn off TCS? I didn’t hear. If he did it would have done even better, and for the most part I think it did fine

[@keithlockridge406]

@@chrisnah6540 he didn’t turn it off. Mazdas can transfer tones of power to the rear but their tcs is designed for on road stability not off road capability. Mazda approaches a lot of engineering challenges from a completely different angle than most manufacturers. It usually results in a more engaging driving experience.

[@CrazyMumu]

I believe if you turn off TCS it will behave better.

[@cartopia6161]

Looks better than CX-5, just wish it had the CX-5s independent rear suspension and a little more ground clearance.

[@pingpongballz5998]

You might as well get a 4Runner lop

[@bradcomis1066]

Agreed. The beam suspension on the CX50 sucks. I bought a CX5 after driving both of them.

[@2jyeti909]

Hrg sells a 1.5 inch lift for over 10" of clearance

[@ccchhhrrriiisss100]

I wish that there was an option for independent rear suspension and higher clearance. Still, I love the sporty drive of the CX-50 (and CX-30). That heavy steering and beam suspension is fantastic on regular roads (especially curvy roads) -- as long as there aren't any potholes.

[@noahcrust2903]

And that’s why lift kits exist. If I get a CX-50, I’m getting a lift kit

[@-aid4084]

I guess moral of the story is, TC and ABS can only get you so far without mechanical torque transfer.

[@UnyonRing]

Toyotas system they use in the Tacoma and 4Runner gets REALLY close to locking differential performance. It’s not quite the same obviously but it’s very good.

[@ckm-mkc]

99.8% of "off-road" vehicle owners never, ever get into situations that would require locking diffs. Beside, it's really about driver skill & tires rather than gadgets.

[@yissibiiyte]

That depends entirely on which TC/ABS system you're talking about. Land Rover's can practically mimic lockers. Honda's "off-roady" models are really good. Hyundai/Kia's system sucks, Subaru's is good until you hit a slight incline.

[@arkos55]

Or that Mazda’s system is only so capable.

[@Brian-og4uu]

@@UnyonRing And it's really good when you have the rear locker on and the front is doing it's electronic limited slip. My 2nd gen TRD OR Tacoma with 31" BFG KO2's is pretty invincible, until it runs out of ground clearance!

[@ckm-mkc]

I've been off road a lot. The reality is that most people don't need more than 8.5" of ground clearance. My old Montero, considered one of the best off-roaders ever (up there with the Land Cruiser), only had 8.5". Unless you are rock crawling a lot - and, let's face it, you should get something different - it's fine for the 1% of owners who actually go off-road. PS theres tons of lifted SUVs in my area, none of them are ever dirty. Maybe they might see a gravel road in a campground, but mostly they're just mall crawlers.

[@Nolo245]

In my experience only teens and college age people are really off-roading consistently anyway. For most adults it's a planned trip type of occasion.

[@RainyDaze67]

@TFL From my understanding of Mazda's system, you need to also disable TCS in off-road mode to allow full torque transfer to loaded wheels. Seems strange Mazda doesn't auto-disable TCS in off-road mode.

[@RainyDaze67]

As Mazda has said with their TCS, they don't use wheel braking intervention to mitigate slip, just torque reduction to keep the predictable driving feel. So their new off-road mode allows for more aggressive wheel braking, but with TCS on, will not allow enough torque to hit wheels with grip.

[@JRs-guitars]

Oh yea, I forgot about that video from driving sports tv and the TC intervention.

[@oct2274]

This vehicle is so much nicer looking than a subaru. I agree they should have given it at least 1" more lift. The awd drive system needs to be a bit more aggressive about moving torque to the opposite front wheel when the other is spinning as well, but that is an easy software fix.

[@daxmotis27]

Agree. Subaru design has gone downhill

[@shiftymcgee9359]

@@daxmotis27Subaru is too heavy on plastic cladding.

[@arkos55]

Subaru is definitely more quirky, but I could not convince my daughter to even consider the Mazda over her crosstrek. She said the Mazda was boring looking and a car for older people. I like the Mazda more myself, but I see her point.

[@maxxbenzz7842]

??? Old people? I think the Mazda is wayyyy better looking than the Subi. That Crosstrek is tiny inside. 10:49 ​@arkos55

[@arkos55]

@@maxxbenzz7842 Loke I said, people who like Subaru’s like the somewhat quirky design. I agree that the Mazda looks more sophisticated, but it’s also a bit boring.

[@gunmetalblue6965]

I was looking at this vs the Forester Wilderness and opted for the Forester. Mazda looks amazing and that turbo is nice. However its more dressed up while the Forester has a different suspension set-up, decent all terrain tires, dual x mode, transmission cooler, different gearing for better lower end torque, and different bumpers for better departure and approach angles.

[@ccchhhrrriiisss100]

I love our Mazda! We've taken it into the mountains (at high elevation) in Northern California and it's performed marvelously -- even in snow and ice! I am very impressed.

[@LukeEdward]

I’ve got to say, those Falken Wildpeak tire are really nice! And I currently have a vehicle with them, and one with BFG AT2. good all-around tires.

[@Evan-wt9zs]

the Wildpeak A/T Trail is the best CUV all terrain tire at the moment in my opinion.

[@arkos55]

The trail is barely an AT. It exists so crossover owners can boast they have AT’s, but it’s more or less a gussied up road tire.

[@pingpongballz5998]

That's a damn good looking crossover

[@randomgameuploads1162]

Yea! I own a meridian too

[@bryanmack5410]

Just took mine home last night after two years of researching

[@McNuggets-419]

I took my 50 up in the High Sierras and did some OHV that was way out of its class. It did it all and the only hold ups were freaking clearance on straight boulder sections. Its a great little off roader.

[@joeydechristina]

That’s cool man. I heard they have a lift kit available for the 50 now.

[@eddiespaghets7663]

Awesome awesome video!!! Was in the market for this car (but lower model trim) and couldn't find any videos on it! After test driving all the competition, this car blew me away on the quality and how it drove. Truly punches a class above its own. I wanted an "off road/trail" vehicle for the weekends and exactly like Andre said. Will get you to that more secluded camp site. Great job showing this gem of a car as im still learning about its capacity! Thanks!

[@SirEricArthurBlair]

I recently almost bought a CX-50. They’re nice vehicles. Mazda has a partnership with Toyota. The CX-50 is built alongside the Corolla Cross. Subaru has a partnership with Toyota too.

[@rtbdmd]

Fine for a mall crawler. nice looking and probably reliable, too. Mazdas are underrated.

[@jayhiggins5239]

backhanded compliments are my favorite

[@getlosttoday4045]

It's a good start for mazda

[@stevelouie5928]

For around 30k for the lower trims this is a pretty good deal. Basically the same price as a crosstrek but more luxurious.

[@Tahara-Aichi]

And more reliable

[@edsmith9855]

They are really in a different class. For 30k you would be looking at a basic CX-50. They are offering 2500 cash back now at my local Mazda dealer, so, yea, you can get one for 30K which is pretty good. I like the Crosstrek too, but they have become overpriced. I dont know what kind of discounts Subaru are offering, as they are being advertised at full list.

[@shanesnyder7359]

Been waiting for this venue for a long time! Thanks Andre and TFL!

[@blakespower]

Mazda should make a real 4 x 4 in the cx50 style raise the chassis by about 10 inches give is a 6 cyl engine, it just looks like a road crossover as it is now

[@kennak476]

I think “off-road” is becoming a too common word for manufacturers who just add some all terrain tires and some badging for the most part and call it “off-road” and up charge you another 5 grand!

[@jkink8049]

You ain’t kidding most of these crossovers won’t hold up off-road like older 2000s suvs and your are absolutely right give it .5 inch of extra clearance some flares and all terrain tires and there u go

[@Duane-vg6mb]

Agreed! A simple dirt road nearly crippled it. The "off road" moniker is a joke. At least he was impressed with it's lame performance.

[@users4007]

​@@jkink8049because crossovers aren't suvs, they are pretty much just lifted hatchbacks/wagons with black plastic fenders

[@theinternets7516]

Cupholders on the manifold cover. Nice touch.

[@Shanatorian]

Great video! Just got a CX-50 earlier this year and I'm trying to decide what tires to put on from the base commuter tire. Wildpeak Trail or BFG trail

[@ckm-mkc]

Wildpeak or Nokian APT - I have all three on different vehicles, the Wildpeaks and the Nokians are butter smooth on the road, the BFG not so much. The Nokians have kevlar in the sidewalls, the nAT (more off-road oriented) is almost as good on road as the Wildpeak but also has kevlar in the tread and is almost as aggressive as the BFG K02.

[@casval-pj5tb]

The wildpeak is far better than the bfg

[@kx8960]

I went up that hill a couple weekends ago when I visited your neighbor and we took my blue '24 Colorado ZR2 out on that trail. I SHOULD have done it both directions, but didn't think of it at the time. 4Lo and everything locked and there was zero wheelspin and it basically just idled up it.

[@g2theb584]

Meh...it struggled the entire time from my perspective. Not enough braking in the active traction control.

[@billybobbob3003]

lol i could do this with my FWD 2014 CRV LX

[@Big.Chungus.]

@@billybobbob3003I have one too, that’s a lie.

[@billybobbob3003]

@@Big.Chungus. lol ev insurance is higher than my 2014 honda crv even a 2013 tesla model S is lmao and yes they do eat up tires ''instant torque even if you baby pedal it'' not to mention model s weighs acouple thousand lbs heavier than my honda CRV pretty sad lol. also the tires cost more.

[@Michael-uo8yv]

The point is that for it's price and class it's better than most. Not the best but most vehicles would struggle the same

[@EazybakeEvan]

​@billybobbob3003 nobody mentioned EVs. Stop being delusional about fwd CRV. CRVs are slow and boring if it's not a manual. You're not doing any real off roading stop lying, Honda-Homer.

[@Conduit_3045]

I'm told that you can reduce the wheel spin by turning off the TCS when using the off road mode.

[@LionRunner]

@5:30 To my eyes 8.5in clearance is a very respectable clearance for a cross over.

[@backwoodstherapy]

I had a GMC Terrain AWD and it was at about 7, maybe 7.5. I ended up putting a spacer lift on it and some mild, slightly bigger ATs to do some camping and after that I was at 8" from the absolute lowest part of the vehicle (lower control arm) and about 10" from the oil pan to the ground.

[@Liplip40]

What are the gradient of these climbs? I would thin most potential customers would be using the is thing as a daily and to get them up i70 or i80 to their favorite ski resort. Great looking design !

[@tylerp1265]

Since you’re tracking your routes in Onx can you share the route in the description? I’d love to check out some of these trails you’re doing.

[@captaintf7759]

I think they stopped doing that a few years ago because so many people would go on the trails and would cause damage. It’s part of why they set up their own off-road course on private property.

[@keithem2001]

Did you air down your tires?

[@rem1762]

Come on man. The commenters are saying turn off the damn TCS! Geez. You just wasted the demo.

[@triggerjerk01]

These cuvs need momentum. But tfl loves stopping midway through an obstacle. Frustrating.

[@jayhiggins5239]

All that wheel spin and nothing broke.

[@NarcyZG1]

André - Subaru Forester Wilderness it doesn't kneel on such hills even though it has CVT and natural aspirated engine.

[@andrewd7860]

It climbs better when you turn off traction control so the system can throw more power to the tires to get you out of anything.

[@leJLJ]

I almost bought this Mazda but could not justify 43k for just a appearance/wheel package. Ended up buying a last model ford ranger for about the same and have never been happier in my decision

[@workct4102]

This little vehicle probably does better than my 35 year old F150 when it had 29" dealer tires and two open differentials

[@GranTigerGaming]

@TFLoffroad I would love to see the same test with the non-turbo CX-50 on the Trailpeak tires.

[@BillyBobTup]

Tires look fine, but way too much front tire spin at the beginning. Where is the spinning tire breaking? Are there no modes (like rock) that might make that tire breaking more aggressive? But then seems much more capable(less wheel spin) on the tougher Dare section? I'm not sure what was up with that?

[@jeffcarter8160]

I am glad you are reviewing this SUV as I’ve been interested in it I’m not sure if it actually has the guts I need

[@ResetIncoming]

Don’t buy it

[@reserva120]

Then you’ve been looking in the completely wrong category.. it’s you not the car - context matters

[@ckm-mkc]

Need for what? It's not a rally car or a boat hauler.... My off-road van has 90hp and it's plenty.

[@alananderson5202]

One thing that’s important. Mazda reliability and superior build. They just seem to have the best engineering department of any car manufacturer. Period.

[@jimbrown7261]

You said that you “…used to bring some Subarus up here.” What does that mean, bb Very nice looking car. I really like the rooftop platform too!

[@nm-qt2hb]

Very nice looking vehicle, interior is great. Great video.

[@ALMX5DP]

Maybe this has an obvious answer but how would the most basic true 4wd do on these hills? Like the cheapest work truck spec pickup with no modes or lockers or anything but mandated traction control. Would something like that just walk up this hill and clear all the rocks/obstacles with ease?

[@keithlockridge406]

A base truck with similar tires would struggle slightly I would think. A truck might have larger diameter tires, more ground clearance and more flex to help it out though. And they can take more abuse usually.

[@ckm-mkc]

The rear wheels would spin like crazy with an unloaded bed and stock tires.

[@00x0xx]

This hill is very easy with rear diff lockers. So any truck equip with lockers, including 2wd rear drive with lockers will make it up this hill w/o much trouble (the reason being is that all the weight is shifted to a back tires going up a hill). But a basic 4wd will have about as much trouble as this Mazda because it will run into the same issue, where it will have a spinning back tire that's absorbing all the torque. Another solution is tire size, much larger tires makes it easier to find traction.

[@LukeEdward]

Guys. It would be nice to give a profile shot while driving with the horizon at level so that it shows the steep angle that you’re climbing. A couple simple drive-by shots on stationary cams, just above ground, set at perfect level, would be enough. Just a thought.

[@joshc606]

I think it did as well as any open differential truck. The incline is what hurt it. No one is taking these up the side of a mountain. ;)

[@shanesnyder7359]

Can this be lifted after market? Warranty issues if so?

[@lccs187]

LP adventure offers a kit for it. And probably would void a warranty. But I have no idea.

[@rafalpgresiak629]

Love my cx50

[@inthewoods6111]

What the hell? I thought that the AWD system was supposed to transfer the torque from the spinning wheel to the stationary wheel. I off road and dont radical off road, but I dont know if this would work for me, especially for over $43K and no skid plates....

[@johnwanamaker84]

We will stick with our 2024 Jeep Compass Trailhawk with Falken Wildpeak AT 3W tires. A friend of mine has a hunting cabin in the Pine Barrens of NJ. The dirt/ sand road had a lot of pot holes and ruts. The Jeep went through it with no problems.

[@thebeast9606]

Underrated vehicle.

[@johnwanamaker84]

I would like to see a comparison between the Mazda, Jeep Compass Trailhawk, Subaru Forester/ Crosstrek Wilderness and Toyota Rav4 TRD.

[@st33ldi9ital]

@@johnwanamaker84 add bronco sport to that

[@johnwanamaker84]

@@st33ldi9ital I forgot about the Bronco Sport

[@BigStevo_6]

1% of owners will ever see anything close to this type of terrain. Nice looking though.

[@UIOP336]

Off road, tcs off.

[@paulholterhaus7084]

Regarding ground clearance, Many Folks like Myself only want to park beside a curb or behind a curb without tearing off the front bumper.........My Sister loves Her Buicks but always tears off the front bumper..."ACCIDENTLY".............Paul

[@azores15]

The CX50 doesn't have much headroom, does it?

[@johnriecke5584]

I think there’s a dealership in Utah that will install a factory-approved lift kit. Saw a video on YT where the reviewer got it.

[@edsmith9855]

Higher ride height wont help much if you cant transfer torque from that spinning wheel.

[@johnriecke5584]

Won’t hurt. And the “off road on, traction control off” anecdotally seems to work pretty well for that :)

[@GregHall-v1n]

You should have turned TCS off. Ive seen other vids where it crawls best on tough roads when TCS is turned off. I was hoping you would do that.

[@kamikazikaizer]

Cx50 should also be build in Japan too bad it's not

[@lccs187]

I like the fact it was made in a brand new factory along side toyota

[@keshav4778]

You are supposed to turn off traction control for the CX-50

[@Ralston1970]

At least you didn’t break the driveline.

[@Duane-vg6mb]

My antique 2000 Cherokee would easily do this in 2 wheel drive!!!

[@tphwhls]

My Forester Wilderness could have done this. Easily.

[@trailrunnah8886]

Funny that this comes with better tires than the new Land Cruiser.

[@oneiros1401]

That roof rack is hideous.

[@Papershields001]

Well to be honest Mazda’s turn to off-road capability on this one seems cash grabby to me. A lot the time they are just rebranding their existing all wheel drive system as capable offroad. New stickers, roof rack and more expensive tires. That seems to be the formula. I appreciate it a little more with like what ford did with the Maverick tremor or bronco sport badlands. This cars are always going to be soft roaders, but they at least put in more effort to imitate things like lockers and trail control.

[@Hiluxtaco]

This looks like the kind of video that Nathan would've done.. 🙃🙂🙃

[@daveforz]

styling reminds me a lot of porsche

[@JamesSusanka]

he didn't say if it had cruise control though.

[@Wynner3]

I hope the upcoming hybrid gives it better mileage. I want a vehicle like this but each one I look at has the same gas mileage my Audi S5 Sportback. 🤷

[@bv5515]

Why did you keep hitting the brakes and reversing 12 minutes in? You have to give it a second to shift power around or else you'll just keep spinning the wheels each time.

[@lyndonhamby7432]

You better keep that in town 😂😂😂

[@chriscon8463]

Very nice Mazda! I’m sure it’ll be great when the snow starts falling. It’d be tough getting this over Subaru Wilderness, though. Driving like this reminds me of when I used to take my old ‘86 Escort back trails!

[@jre617]

I wish some reviewer somewhere would be clear about torque distribution parameters. What is the default, FWD ? How much torque can it send rear, just 50%? No one ever finds out or reports this. And it makes a difference. Subarus do well because they are never just FWD and they can send most of the torque front or rear. But, so, the only real difference on this Meridian model is the tires, apparently. No extra ground clearance, no skid plate, no LSD front or rear...

[@henryfabianvideo]

If you deactivate TCS the off road performance is way better

[@mckuv]

It was literally the ground's fault (when it dislodged that rock and all that was left was loose dirt too far for full contact w/tyre)

[@Ryan-cf6lc]

To boldly go where no CX 50 will ever go.😂

[@Tully3674]

This video was twice as long as needed to be.

[@edsmith9855]

I agree with other posters. I like the styling of the CX-50 better vs the CX-5, but wish it had independent rear suspension. I dont think the off road performance is that great though, even for a crossover. When it was stuck in that hole in the road at about 12.00 minutes, it didn't seem to be transferring enough torque to the rear wheel. I dont do off roading, and only want AWD for slippery conditions. I would be sure to look at Mazda, but still would probably pick the CX-5 simply in protest of the beam axle in the CX-50.

[@Doncan0823]

I would like to see the new Hyundai Kona Turbo AWD tested.

[@alex77134]

Andrey try 2024 Nissan Rogue on the same hill and see if it can get up there please

[@pingpongballz5998]

CVT would take a dump

[@grizzleypeak]

I've had 5 Subaru 's but now they only have CVT's. Total deal breaker. I also like that the CX50 doesn't have a gigantic hideous touch screen for a dashboard. You can't see them in the sun, they are useless. Subaru has destroyed their brand with tech. The Mazda AWD seems pretty good and it looks nice inside... I'm probably going to jump ship on Subaru for a CX50.

[@maximeparent3004]

Those crossover with the off road appearance package are lame.

[@1guyin10]

They look okay, but most of them don't actually deliver on what that looks promises. If you really want to go off road that price gets you into an SR5 4Runner or the lower end of the Wrangler or Bronco lineups, any of which is worlds more capable off road.

[@michaelanderson8042]

Holy Moly, just rip a big rock out of the ground and send it careening down the hill. LOL LOL LOL Great job Andre.

[@seanwatson3790]

God kicking that rock near the top, you were about a half inch away from this being a misadventure video ....

[@StefanoKlironomos]

for sure it would do ok on rainy and icy roads - but then again, a subaru crosstrek will do the same for quite less money. off-roader it's not :) nice looking baby SUV though.

[@morganml3983]

Maybe with a 2 inch lift and chunkier tires I'd take it serious.

[@rd4k04]

Might as well take a Corolla up there driving that thing

[@GregHall-v1n]

If he would simply turn off TCS it would climb this hill easily but the guys on this channel don't do much research.

[@Taras-Nabad]

Mazda is the new Toyota.

[@JRs-guitars]

Wouldnt get me to my camping spot. Nice vehicle, but its not for off road.

[@classiccorvettesmusclecars5846]

Hate they put the stupid annoying stop/start on the turbo 50..I know u can turn it off but it’s the worst thing ever put on n e vehicle..

[@thrash123ful]

I don't think it has enough wheel arch plastic lol

[@dale5282]

Looks good but doesn’t off road very well. Struggles for traction.

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

13:54 roof rack and a sunroof makes no sense , most manufacturers make there best off roader / crossover a top of the line loaded luxury car

[@IronmanV5]

Needs a lift and skidplates.

[@mikemcc9820]

Drive it like a Rally Car.