The 2023 Mazda CX-50 can do more than get you further into nature — it can haul your equipment, too. Mazda’s new Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) mode makes it easier than ever to confidently explore. From kayaks and small boats to bikes and light camping trailers, once in towing drive mode the CX-50’s 3,500-pound towing capacity will help you find new ways to spend time in nature.
Committed to creating a confident driving experience in every drive mode and on nearly every surface, Mazda approached towing with the driver in mind. Exclusive to turbo models, towing mode helps CX-50 maintain a smooth experience for more confidence while towing.
Mazda’s Approach to Towing
The first thing towing mode does is change the transmission logic to account for a much higher load so that the engine is in the right torque band. Mazda also looked at how much work the driver has to do when controlling the steering.
When towing, a driver typically has to make a lot of minor corrections even when driving on a straight road. Even a properly loaded trailer will respond to every gust of wind and bump or dip in the road. As the trailer shifts or sways, it pushes on the back of the vehicle and disrupts the smooth driving experience.
“A driver is busier when towing than on a normal drive, so over the course of a long trip that extra work can be exhausting,” says Dave Coleman, Vehicle Dynamics Engineer.
Wanting to create a better driving experience, Mazda studied how a vehicle responds to those swaying motions and discovered that each sway causes the front and rear tires to turn at slightly different speeds. In towing mode, the CX-50 pre-loads the AWD torque coupling that connects the front and rear wheels, forcing them to go at the same speed and resist that sway motion. As a result, the CX-50 feels more stable and more confident while towing.
The G-Vectoring Control Difference
Mazda also studied the frequent steering corrections most drivers do while towing — and learned that they result from the vehicle not responding intuitively to small steering inputs. The added weight from the trailer pushes down behind the rear wheels causing the nose of a vehicle to pivot up and lift weight off the front tires. Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control addresses this by shifting weight onto those front tires every time the driver moves the steering wheel, restoring normal steering response. The vehicle responds intuitively, resists small nudges from the trailer, and the driver experiences Mazda’s premium driving dynamics even when towing.
Why Towing Matters
The 2023 Mazda CX-50 is designed to help people spend more time in nature. Oftentimes, an active outdoor lifestyle means bringing along plenty of gear. While CX-50’s interior and roof rack are spacious and adaptable enough for everything from family camping equipment to skis, the ability to tow opens up new opportunities to explore.
The 3,500-pound capacity means that a wide variety of outdoor gear is within range. Light basecamp trailers, small boats, jet skis, bikes, or kayaks — with CX-50 it’s possible to explore and spend time in nature like never before.
Learn more about the first-ever CX-50
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