Built at the same plant, the Mazda CX-50 and Corolla Cross are really estranged cousins

The 2022 Mazda CX-50, the jacked-up, off-roading twin of the Mazda CX-30 has begun production at the brand-new Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM) plant in Huntsville, Alabama.

The American plant also builds the North American-spec Toyota Corolla Cross and the CX-50 is Mazda’s first vehicle to be manufactured at the plant. Though both crossovers are built at the same plant, that is the only commonality shared between the two as the CX-50 is built on the same platform as the CX-30.

The crossover will be launched in spring 2022 and it targets customers that enjoy interacting with the outdoors. The chunky exterior with extensive body cladding and roof rails isn’t just for show as the CX-50 comes with the latest i-Active all-wheel-drive (AWD) technology and Mi-Drive (Mazda Intelligent Drive Select).

Also read: 2022 Mazda CX-50 debuts - CX-30's rugged, off-roading twin, SkyActiv engines

Mi-Drive allows drivers to select the suitable drive mode depending on the terrain or condition like off-road terrain towing, and the CX-50 will deal with the rest.

The CX-50 will be available with two choices of 2.5-litre SkyActiv-G engines, a naturally-aspirated one or a turbocharged unit. Both engines are paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Though the exterior design and powertrains make the CX-50 sound like Mazda’s own desert conqueror (or at least strike a menacing chord against the Subaru XV), the interior appears to be like a modern Mazda.

It looks well-crafted with premium materials but there are also features that are geared towards adventure-seekers like a panoramic moonroof.

Unfortunately, the chances for the CX-50 to make it into Malaysia appear to be very slim. According to Mazda’s plans, the CX-50, alongside the larger CX-70 and CX-90 are developed solely for the North American market.

Also read: 5 new SUVs confirmed - Mazda CX-50, CX-60, CX-70, CX-80, CX-90 starting 2022

Instead, the rest of the world would be getting the CX-60 and CX-80. Both SUVs are likely to be underpinned by a new rear-wheel-drive architecture and would be powered by a newly developed inline-6 engine. Rumours have it that the petrol units would be supercharged while the diesel engines would be turbocharged.

Also read: Scoop: Supercharged RWD Mazda CX-60 to make global debut in 2022-23