Anything the 2025 Mazda CX-50 2.5 S Can Do, the Turbo Meridian Can Do Better

Anything you can do, I can do better; I can do anything better than you.

Who can't relate to the spirited back-and-forth of the classic show tune Anything You Can Do from the 1946 Broadway musical Annie Get Your Gun? With music and lyrics by Irving Berlin, the playful duet between sharpshooters Annie Oakley and Frank Butler captures a timeless spirit of friendly rivalry and self-assured bravado. Their humorous call-and-response performance, full of increasing exaggeration and tongue-in-cheek swagger, is a lighthearted battle of the sexes built on confidence and competition. In much the same way, the 2025 Mazda CX-50 lineup hosts its own internal contest—one in which the Turbo Meridian steps into the spotlight with bold assurance, confidently one-upping its baseline sibling at every turn ... because whatever the CX-50 2.5 S Select can do in terms of performance, design, and features, the ruggedly enhanced Turbo Meridian Edition can do even better.

Performance and Powertrain

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 2.5 S Select is powered by a naturally aspirated SKYACTIV®-G 2.5-liter engine, delivering 187 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain offers smooth, confident acceleration paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and Mazda's advanced i-ACTIV AWD® system. Mi-Drive settings include Sport and Off-Road modes, providing thoughtful adaptability for drivers who want a steady, composed ride in a variety of environments. By contrast, however, the Turbo Meridian Edition pushes the CX-50's performance envelope with its SKYACTIV®-G 2.5-liter turbocharged engine. It produces 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque on 87-octane fuel; with 93-octane premium, those numbers increase to 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque. This version benefits from the same i-ACTIV AWD® system but adds a specialized Mi-Drive towing mode to complement its 3,500-pound towing capacity. The twin-scroll turbocharger and 10.5:1 compression ratio provide quick throttle response and muscular performance, especially at lower rpm ranges, indicating that Meridian clearly outmuscles its sibling with both enthusiasm and utility.

Exterior Enhancements

The CX-50 2.5 S Select presents a stylishly balanced silhouette, featuring body-colored side mirrors, 17-inch alloy wheels, and LED headlights with High Beam Control. The design embodies the visual identity of the CX-50 family with a more understated presence on the road; but the Turbo Meridian Edition, on the other hand, makes no such attempt at subtlety. It replaces the S Select's modest exterior with a more rugged visual identity that includes exclusive Meridian hood graphics, a side rocker garnish, and bold black metallic 18 x 8 aluminum alloy wheels wrapped in P225/60 R18 all-terrain tires. A larger dual exhaust with a bright finish, body-colored rear roof spoiler, and signature LED taillights further accentuate the aggressive stance. Practical upgrades such as automatic power-folding side mirrors with memory settings, adaptive front-lighting, and a programmable rear power liftgate elevate the aesthetic for a serious purpose-driven off-road identity.

Interior Features and Comfort

Inside the cabin, the 2.5 S Select trim provides a tasteful balance of essential comforts and user-friendly tech. It features an 8.8-inch full-color display with Mazda Connect™, Apple CarPlay™, Android Auto™, and a multifunction Commander control interface. The driver benefits from a 10.25-inch center display and 7-inch LCD meter display, providing clean, intuitive access to driving data and infotainment features. Conversely, the Turbo Meridian upgrades nearly every element of the interior. Terracotta leather-trimmed seats replace standard cloth, offering a warm and earthy elegance that complements the model's adventurous ethos. Front seats are both heated and ventilated, with three-level adjustment and an 8-way power driver's seat including lumbar support and memory functionality. Rear seats are also heated, ensuring second-row passengers experience the same comfort afforded to the front row. The panoramic moonroof invites natural light into the cabin, while a heated steering wheel and a Bose® 12-speaker surround sound system featuring Centerpoint® and AudioPilot® elevate the drive to a more immersive experience.

Technology and Navigation

Although the 2.5 S Select features the core of Mazda's advanced tech suite—including HD Radio™, SMS text audio delivery and reply, Mazda Connected Services, and voice command capabilities—it lacks the specialized functionality necessary for more demanding travel. While its infotainment interface is functional and intuitive, it is built more for everyday commuting and light-duty recreational use. The Turbo Meridian adds precision to its adventurous intent with Mazda's online navigation system, including specialized off-road navigation capabilities. The upgraded infotainment system enhances both connectivity and clarity while still providing the benefits of Mazda Connected Services with a one-year trial. Speedometer and tachometer dials remain traditional in design, but the 7-inch LCD Meter Display introduces a more vivid readout that accommodates off-road data and vehicle status updates. The Traffic Sign Recognition System helps reduce driving stress, particularly on long rural or trail-heavy routes.

Safety and Driver Assistance

Standard safety across all 2025 CX-50 models includes dual front airbags with passenger-weight sensors, side-impact and curtain airbags with rollover protection, and knee airbags for both driver and front passenger. Features such as Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Speed Limit Assist ensure confidence behind the wheel. Lane Departure Warning with Lane-keep Assist, Hill Launch Assist, and the Tire Pressure Monitoring System further support driver awareness and control. The Turbo Meridian builds on these already robust systems with enhanced driver assistance tools such as Emergency Lane Keeping with Road Keep Assist and Driver Attention Alert. The inclusion of Vehicle Exit Warning, Rear Seat Alert, and advanced rear-view monitoring reflects a heightened attention to occupant safety and accident avoidance in unpredictable conditions.

While the 2025 Mazda CX-50 2.5 S Select provides an excellent foundation with refined features, responsive handling, and admirable AWD performance, the Turbo Meridian Edition represents a compelling escalation in nearly every category. It enhances power, comfort, connectivity, and style, offering adventurous drivers the freedom to explore further and with greater confidence. Like Annie Oakley's cheeky refrain in the famous show tune, the Turbo Meridian doesn't just compete—it insists it can do it better; and in many ways, it delivers on that promise. With its bolder stance, enhanced capability, and premium details, the 2025 CX-50 Turbo Meridian Edition doesn't merely echo the talents of its sibling; it sings its own confident verse with performance-driven refinement and fearless expression.

Learn More

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Mazda CX-50

About Mazda

Proudly founded in Hiroshima, Japan, Mazda has a history of sophisticated craftsmanship and innovation, and a purpose to enrich life-in-motion for those it serves. By putting humans at the center of everything it does, Mazda aspires to create uplifting experiences with our vehicles and for people. Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Colombia through approximately 795 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada Inc. in Richmond Hill, Ontario; operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City; and operations in Colombia are managed by Mazda de Colombia in Bogota, Colombia.