Best Crossbars for Mazda CX-50 Roof Rack
Before we take a look at the best crossbars for your Mazda CX-50 roof rack, it's perhaps a good time to point out the difference between crossbars, roof racks and roof rails.
The off-road-ready Mazda CX-50 range is fitted as standard with brushed silver finished roof rails that run along the sides of the CX-50's roof. These roof rails allow for a set of crossbars to be mounted between the rails.
The crossbars between the rails form a stable and safe base with a secure mounting design onto which owners can then attach a roof rack to carry multiple items or any compatible cargo carrying accessory. Let’s see the best crossbars for the Mazda CX-50 roof rack.
Importance of Crossbars on Mazda CX-50
Weekends away and cross-country trips inevitably require more loading space. Fitting crossbars onto your CX-50 allows for the loading of less weighty or long items on the roof of your CX-50. For those outdoor camping types, Mazda even offers two-person and three-person rooftop tent options.
Rooftop space adds to the already generous cargo carrying abilities of the impressive CX-50 and frees up space for passengers to stretch out and enjoy the journey.
Benefits of Using Crossbars
Installing genuine Mazda crossbars, specifically designed for easy fitment, provides several advantages to Mazda CX-50 SUV owners.
First off, the use of crossbars and any relevant specialized cargo carrying accessories opens up additional load space. Lighter items or sporting equipment such as bicycles, kayaks, and surfboards, which unfortunately take up passenger space and are notoriously difficult to maneuver into a vehicle's cargo area, can now be accommodated on top of the vehicle.
Crossbars add everyday utility to your vehicle. The versatility of the crossbars means that shopping for DIY projects becomes that much easier with ladders, pipes, wooden beams and more being accommodated on top. And come Christmas time, shopping for that taller tree is no longer a hassle.
Types of Crossbars for Mazda CX-50 Roof Rack
A crossbar is not just a crossbar, and shoppers who eschew the genuine Mazda accessories will find that there are three main types of crossbars available for their Mazda CX-50 roof rack: aero crossbars, square crossbars, and round crossbars.
Aero Crossbars
The first prize is aerodynamically designed crossbars for reduced wind noise and reduced drag compared to other shaped crossbars. The genuine Mazda OEM crossbars, available in a black or silver finish made specially for the CX-50, feature an Aero design to reduce wind noise and allow for enhanced fuel economy.
Owners that make regular use of the crossbars will normally leave them affixed to their CX-50, and an Aero design will certainly help reduce drag and not affect fuel economy to the degree less aerodynamic style crossbars will.
Aero crossbars will normally feature a profile reminiscent of a plane's wing that enables the crossbar to cut through the air offering all the benefits of less wind noise and drag.
Square Crossbars
Typically, the more affordable option when it comes to crossbars shopping, square or, in some cases, rectangular profile crossbars, still offer similar loading capacity as the Aero designs; however, there are sacrifices to be made with the design making more wind noise and increased drag.
The technical explanation for the increased wind noise of these designs is the air vortex that is created by the crossbars.
More noticeable at higher speeds, wind hitting the leading edges of the crossbar's square face causes the air to swirl, resulting in wind noise.
Round Crossbars
Another value proposition is round crossbars, which are more aerodynamic than square bars, meaning better fuel efficiency. They also offer less whistling noise than square bars but are not quite as quiet or fuel-efficient as their Aero counterparts.
One of the most notable benefits of a round crossbar are the numerous compatible universal fit accessories for carrying items such as skis, snowboards, bikes, roof cargo carriers, and more.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Crossbars
Besides choosing a set of genuine OEM Mazda crossbars, buyers have plenty of aftermarket options available that will also work well. However, tread carefully and always make sure that whatever crossbars you do end up buying are physically capable of safely carrying the weight of the items you wish to load.
Below, we share some factors to consider when shopping for a set of crossbars.
Compatibility with the Mazda CX-50 Roof Rack
When ordering your new Mazda CX-50, it's always a wise decision to go for a factory-fitted roof rack system. If you already own a Mazda, investing in genuine Mazda accessories will guarantee that your crossbars perfectly match your vehicle's standard fitment roof rails
Aftermarket products are not always fully compatible, which may create safety issues. There is nothing more heartbreaking than watching your expensive mountain bike bouncing down the road in your rearview mirror when a substandard component of a cheap set of crossbars gives up.
Weight Capacity
It's always advisable to ensure that the crossbars you use are able to carry the weight of their intended use.
The specially designed CX-50 OEM Mazda crossbars allow a maximum of 165 pounds to be loaded on the rooftop, including the weight of the crossbars.
Ease of Installation
A Mazda factory installed crossbar is designed for easy and hassle free installation with the part offering everything required including comprehensive fitment instruction.
Aftermarket products may not always offer the same ease of installation as the genuine OEM Mazda accessory.
Aerodynamics and Wind Noise
The importance of this consideration, as covered above, cannot be overstated. Who wants to listen to a mini tornado above their heads while driving?
Durability and Material Quality
Placing your trust in a set of genuine Mazda factory crossbars will see long service life and importantly the reduced risk of equipment failure due to possible poor material quality of an aftermarket buy.
What to Put On Your CX-50 Roof Rack
● Roof Rack Cargo Box (Large) Thule Force Xt L
● Roof Rack Bike Carrier - Thule Proride Xt
● Roof Rack Kayak Carrier, Thule Compass
● Roof Rack Ski/Snowboard Carrier
Shop Mazda CX-50 Roof Racks at Mazda Part Direct
Conveniently shop for Mazda CX-50 roof racks and more at mazdapartdirect.com.
Mazda Part Direct is an authorized parts dealer and offers a wide online selection of genuine Mazda parts and accessories to help you to enjoy many more hassle free miles in your Mazda.