2026 CX-50 2.5 Turbo
Quick Answer: 2026 Mazda CX-50 2.5 Turbo
The 2.5 Turbo starts the CX-50's turbocharged line at $37,900 MSRP and is the trim to test drive if the base engine feels leisurely on a Route 22 on-ramp. It makes up to 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft on premium 93 octane fuel — or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft if you fill it with regular 87, still a meaningful step over the naturally aspirated engine's 187 hp either way. It adds Adaptive Front-lighting, a full-color head-up display, paddle shifters, and 3,500 pounds of towing capacity, all on the same standard i-Activ AWD as every other CX-50. This is the trim for buyers who want the CX-50's looks and practicality with genuinely quick acceleration behind it.
The horsepower number that needs an asterisk
Here's the detail a lot of dealer sites gloss over, and it's worth getting right before you cross-shop: the CX-50 Turbo's 256-hp figure is only achieved on 93-octane premium fuel. Run it on regular 87, and Mazda's own specifications drop that to 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Both numbers comfortably beat the base engine's 187 hp, so you're not making a mistake either way — but if a competitor's spec sheet quotes 256 hp with no fuel caveat, that's the number under ideal conditions, not the number you'll see filling up at the Route 22 QuickChek. Budget for premium if you want the full output; the engine runs fine, just less powerfully, on regular.
Towing, merging, and the actual reason to pay for this engine
3,500 pounds of towing capacity turns the CX-50 from "crossover that technically can't tow much" into a legitimate small-trailer, jet-ski, or pop-up-camper hauler — a meaningful jump from what the naturally aspirated trims can manage. On the road, the extra torque shows up exactly where central Jersey drivers feel it most: merging onto I-287 from a standing stop, passing on Route 22's two-lane stretches near Green Brook, or just getting up to highway speed without flooring it the whole ramp. The tradeoff is fuel economy — EPA-rated 23 city / 29 highway / 25 combined versus the base engine's 26 combined — a fair trade for buyers who value the power more than the extra trips to the pump.
What else the Turbo adds beyond the engine
Signature LED headlights with an Adaptive Front-lighting System that turns the beam into corners, a full-color Active Driving Display projected onto the windshield, and paddle shifters for the 6-speed automatic all arrive with this trim — none of them available on any 2.5 S trim regardless of price. A white interior option is also available here, same $200 as the naturally aspirated Meridian.
Turbo, Turbo Meridian, or Turbo Premium Plus?
This base Turbo trim is the value entry into turbocharged power. Step up to the Turbo Meridian Edition ($40,400) for the same engine with the outdoorsy black-out look and all-terrain tires, or the Turbo Premium Plus ($42,900) for the full driver-assist suite — 360-degree camera, traffic-jam assist, emergency lane keeping — on top of the same powertrain. If neither the styling package nor the extra driver-assist tech matters to you, this trim gets you the full turbocharged performance for the least money.
What buyers say
Joe C. bought his CX-50 after spotting it on Empire's lot and said the process moved fast without feeling rushed: "He was quick to grab the keys and after a test drive and him working with our finances we walked out with our new car. A+ service and very transparent." That's the kind of decisiveness a Turbo test drive tends to produce — the power difference over the base engine is obvious within the first quarter-mile.
Frequently asked questions
What does the 2026 CX-50 2.5 Turbo cost?
MSRP is $37,900, before Mazda's $1,495 destination charge and New Jersey's 6.625% sales tax. See the pricing & leasing guide for current lease and finance offers.
Does the Turbo really make 256 horsepower?
Only on 93-octane premium fuel. On regular 87 octane, output is 227 hp and 310 lb-ft — still well above the naturally aspirated engine's 187 hp, but not the headline number without the right fuel in the tank.
How much can the CX-50 Turbo tow?
Up to 3,500 pounds when properly equipped. That's the highest towing figure in the CX-50 lineup — the Hybrid is rated for 1,500 pounds by comparison.
Is the Turbo worth the extra money over the base engine?
If merging, passing, or towing matter to your daily driving, yes — the difference is noticeable from the first drive. If your CX-50 mostly does local errands and school runs, the 2.5 S engine covers that comfortably for less money and better fuel economy.
Where can I test drive a Turbo in Green Brook?
Check current Turbo inventory at Empire Mazda of Green Brook on Route 22.
The bottom line
The 2.5 Turbo is the honest performance pick in the CX-50 lineup — real power (with the fuel-dependent caveat spelled out up front), real towing capacity, and driver-focused extras like paddle shifters and adaptive lighting that the naturally aspirated trims simply don't offer at any price.
MSRP figures exclude Mazda's $1,495 destination charge plus taxes, title, registration, and dealer-installed options; the dealer sets the actual selling price. Horsepower and torque figures are fuel-dependent per Mazda's published specifications (256 hp / 320 lb-ft on premium 93 octane, 227 hp / 310 lb-ft on regular 87). Fuel-economy figures are EPA estimates. Equipment and availability can shift with configuration and production timing; confirm current specs with Empire Mazda of Green Brook. Customer quotes are excerpts from public Google reviews of Empire Mazda of Green Brook.