2023 BMW X7 vs 2023 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 showcased a design that was both familiar and fresh. Its styling was characterized by a blunt nose, long hood, and a rakish windshield, with the cabin positioned towards the rear wheels, embodying the subtle allure that Mazda vehicles have been known for over the past decade. However, the CX-50 introduced a rugged aesthetic with its pronounced fender swells, bold lower body cladding, and faux skid plates, which were common among crossovers masquerading as SUVs. The oversized air intake and vent designs added a performance edge without being visually jarring. When combined with the standard black grille, mirror caps, and optional 20-inch wheels, these elements created an appealing exterior. Later in the year, the CX-50 Meridian Edition was set to enhance this rugged look with exclusive wheels, all-terrain tires, splash guards, and a roof-mounted load platform.

Inside, the CX-50's interior was a testament to Mazda's commitment to driver-focused design. The top-of-the-line CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus featured black leather with caramel-colored stitching, round analog and digital gauges, and quality materials. The polished metallic trim and a smattering of controls added to the sophisticated ambiance. Vertical air vents flanked the instrument cluster, though the lone off-center vent on the dashboard seemed like an afterthought. Despite this, the CX-50 was a visually appealing compact crossover, both inside and out.

The 2023 BMW X7 underwent a mid-cycle makeover, adopting a bolder front-end design reminiscent of the BMW 7 Series sedan. The LED accent lights were repositioned, and the actual headlights were tucked beneath, maintaining the oversized kidney grille that had been polarizing in the past. While BMW aimed for a more assertive design, the new look sacrificed some grace and cohesiveness. The sides and rear remained largely unchanged, offering a sense of familiarity. The X7 was available in two design themes: the base Design Pure Excellence model with chrome trim and the M Sport with a dark finish.

Inside, the X7's dashboard received a refresh, featuring a curved glass housing for the digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The center console was updated with a toggle switch-like gear selector, replacing the previous crystal lever. The interior materials were of premium quality, with supple leather upholstery and a new Sensafin synthetic substitute. While glossy wood and carbon fiber trims caused harsh reflections, the matte and open-pore wood alternatives added warmth and tactile appeal. The X7's interior was sturdily built, with a satisfying heft to all touchpoints, and remained quiet even on bumpy roads. The interior revisions lent the X7 a modern and elegant appearance, despite the divisive exterior styling.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered two engine options. The 2.5 S model featured a 187 hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 186 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Mazda estimated a combined fuel economy of 27 mpg for this version. For those seeking more power and increased towing capacity, the 2.5 Turbo variant was available. It boasted a turbocharged version of the same engine, producing between 227 hp and 256 hp, depending on the fuel used. Torque ranged from 310 lb-ft on 87-octane gas to 320 lb-ft on 93-octane fuel. The CX-50 2.5 Turbo was expected to achieve 25 mpg in combined driving, though real-world tests averaged 23.4 mpg. The turbocharged engine provided smooth acceleration across a broad power curve, with no noticeable turbo lag. The CX-50's driving modes—Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing—worked with G-Vectoring Control technology to ensure consistent vehicle behavior. The CX-50's ride quality was slightly firmer than the CX-5, and there was a hint of torque steer during tight turns. Despite its SUV classification, the CX-50 felt more like a modern Mazda6 station wagon with a Subaru Outback treatment, offering a higher ride height and up to 8.6 inches of ground clearance.

The 2023 BMW X7 lineup began with the base xDrive40i model, equipped with a new 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine and a 48-volt mild hybrid system. This powertrain delivered 375 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, an increase over the previous year's engine. BMW claimed a 0-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds for this model. The X7 M60i model featured a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine with a similar hybrid system, producing 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Despite its nearly 6,000-pound weight, the X7 handled its mass well on the road. The V8 provided potent acceleration, while the six-cylinder was adequate for most drivers. The brake pedal was soft, suitable for a large luxury SUV. Handling was limited by the X7's weight and ride height, but body roll was well managed, and the ride was composed. The X7 offered a blend of performance and comfort, with a slightly firmer ride compared to other luxury SUVs, reflecting BMW's focus on driver engagement.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered a range of comfort features, including power-adjustable heated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, heated side mirrors, and heated windshield wipers. On warmer days, the ventilated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control were appreciated. The driver and front passenger seats were comfortable for long journeys, though additional side bolstering would have been beneficial. The back seat provided ample room for adults, with rear air vents and charging ports available on most trims. The rear doors opened to nearly a 90-degree angle, facilitating easy entry and exit. Storage space was adequate, though there were missed opportunities for additional storage bins. The available smartphone charger was conveniently located under the center armrest. The power rear liftgate revealed 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space, with a long load floor and side bins for securing items. Maximum cargo space was 56.3 cubic feet, slightly less than the CX-5 due to the CX-50's lower roofline.

The 2023 BMW X7 excelled in providing ample space for passengers and cargo. The second-row seats accommodated taller passengers comfortably, with a large sunroof and windows enhancing the airy feel. Accessing the third row required some patience as the power-operated middle row moved out of the way, but once cleared, it offered a sizable opening. The third row could accommodate average-sized adults, though the seat cushion was lower, reducing thigh support. Behind the third row, there was 12.8 cubic feet of cargo space, sufficient for several suitcases or large golf bags. Folding the third row was easy with a button, and the split tailgate design prevented items from rolling out on inclines. With the third row stowed, cargo capacity increased to 48.6 cubic feet, and folding the middle seats expanded it to 90.4 cubic feet. Front-seat passengers had ample storage options, including a large center console bin with a wireless charging pad and spacious door pockets.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Mazda Connected Services, offering a WiFi hotspot, remote engine starting, and more. The base 2.5 S model had an 8.8-inch display, while other trims included a larger 10.25-inch display. Historically, Mazda Connect lacked touchscreen control, relying on center console buttons, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. However, the 2023 CX-50 introduced touchscreen control for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the screen was positioned far from the driver. The available 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system provided a satisfying audio experience. An Active Driving Display, or head-up display, projected data within the driver's line of sight, including blind-spot warnings.

The 2023 BMW X7 came with the latest iDrive infotainment system, which had been praised for its intuitive layout. However, the new iteration moved many physical buttons to the infotainment screen, complicating basic functions like seat heating and adaptive cruise control adjustments. Voice commands offered a workaround, but they interrupted audio playback and took time to process. While voice controls were useful for navigation and texting, the system would have benefited from more physical buttons and intuitive menus.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 was expected to perform well in safety tests, though results from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) were not yet available. Mazda provided a comprehensive standard package of driving assistance systems, with additional features available on the CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus. These included Traffic Jam Assist, active blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, reverse automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The driving assistance systems generally worked well, though the adaptive cruise control occasionally failed to recognize slower vehicles cutting in.

The 2023 BMW X7 had not been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or IIHS, but it came with a robust suite of safety features. Standard equipment included frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, adaptive headlights, parking sensors, and automatic high beams. The M60i trim added a surround-view camera system, with options for adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward cross-traffic alerts, and a semi-automated parking function. The highway driving assist feature reduced driver fatigue on long trips, and all safety features performed reliably during testing.