Compare the2024 BMW X2VS 2024 Mazda CX-50

With its standard Active Driving Assistant, the BMW X2 is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Mazda CX-50, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the X2’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The CX-50 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the X2 has standard Cross Traffic Warning with braking function with automatic braking, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Only the CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus offers Rear Cross Traffic Braking.

Both the X2 and the CX-50 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the BMW X2 is safer than the CX-50:

The X2 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The CX-50’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The X2’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the CX-50’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X2 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CX-50.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the X2 has a 150-amp alternator. The CX-50’s standard 100-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. With 26 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Mazda.

The X2 xDrive28i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 54 more horsepower (241 vs. 187) and 109 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 186) than the CX-50’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The X2 M35i xDrive’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 56 more horsepower (312 vs. 256) than the CX-50’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the X2 gets better mileage than the CX-50:

Regenerative brakes improve the X2’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW X2 higher (6 to 8 out of 10) than the Mazda CX-50 (5 to 7). This means the X2 produces up to 13.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CX-50 every 15,000 miles.

A seven-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the BMW X2, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the CX-50.

The X2 offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The CX-50 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The X2’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The CX-50 doesn’t offer launch control.

The X2’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the CX-50 are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the X2 has larger tires than the CX-50 (245/45R19 vs. 225/65R17).

The X2 xDrive28i’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-50’s standard 65 series tires. The X2’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the CX-50 Premium Plus/Turbo’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X2 xDrive28i has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the CX-50. The X2’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the CX-50 Premium Plus/Turbo.

For superior ride and handling, the BMW X2 has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda CX-50 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The X2 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the X2 flat and controlled during cornering. The CX-50’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The X2 offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The CX-50’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The X2 is 6.5 inches shorter than the CX-50, making the X2 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X2’s rear seats recline. The CX-50’s rear seats don’t recline.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the X2. The CX-50 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the X2’s available liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The X2 offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The power windows standard on both the X2 and the CX-50 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the X2 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CX-50 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

If the windows are left open on the X2 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the CX-50 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The X2’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the CX-50 Preferred/Premium/Turbo.

The X2 offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the CX-50.

Both the X2 and the CX-50 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the X2 has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The CX-50 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The X2’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The CX-50 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.