2024 Mazda CX-50 Meridian Edition Review: Is It Worth It?

This is the second Mazda CX-50 that I’ve gotten to review. The press model that we received was the Meridian Edition trim. It is supposed to be the more off-road oriented trim of the CX-50 lineup. With that being said, I feel like it felt short of that goal.

Some of the things that the Meridian Edition offers are still available on other trims which makes it a confusing offering. The two things that are exclusive would be the hood graphics and the 18” wheel with more aggressive all-terrain tire.

Having previously reviewed the Premium Plus trim, I was starting to see some things were missing. I was surprised to see that the Meridian Edition doesn’t have a 360 degree camera system which was a great tool when climbing trails. The other unfortunate loss is the Bose Premium Audio that had me blasting my music. I noticed this because the flat roof platform was causing loud noises since it lacked a fairing to redirect the wind.

Overall, I think Mazda should’ve made the Meridian Edition a little different. It should be a flagship model which builds on the Premium Plus offering. The wheel and tires were a good choice but should have an additional 1-inch lift along with softer spring rate and damper tuning. This combination would make it a better competitor among the growing segment of rugged CUVs.