The third-generation Mazda CX-5 – revealed this week and anticipated to reach in Australia within the second half of 2026 – will include a carryover powertrain. Sadly, it’s not the punchy turbo 4 that makes Mazda’s fashionable mid-size SUV reasonably distinctive amongst its rivals.
In a phase dominated by small-displacement turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engines and bigger naturally aspirated ones, the beefy 170kW/420Nm 2.5-litre turbo-petrol engine that powers G35 variants has made the present CX-5 certainly one of this market’s sportier medium SUVs.
The brand new-generation mannequin, nevertheless, will carry over solely the CX-5’s naturally aspirated 2.5-litre 4, which will even deliver a slight discount in energy and torque to 132kW and 242Nm.
So, what can consumers on the lookout for a extra highly effective Mazda SUV do?
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In keeping with Mazda, the reply is to attend for the hybrid model of the brand new CX-5, which is confirmed for a US launch in 2027, and a neighborhood launch at an unspecified time.
“The hybrid system may have efficiency that’s akin to or exceeding the turbo powertrain,” Stefan Meisterfeld, VP of strategic planning for Mazda North American Operations, instructed CarBuzz in an announcement.
Mazda hasn’t confirmed outputs for the electrified CX-5, which can make use of the Japanese model’s new Skyactiv-Z 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine along side a hybrid system developed in-house.
This new engine, which can share elements with the model’s present 2.5-litre mill, will provide better efficiency and gas economic system than earlier than, whereas additionally assembly strict Euro 7 emissions rules in Europe, and each LEV4 and Tier 4 rules in North America.
Mazda claims the Skyactiv-Z engine achieves decrease emissions with none drops in output, versus typical engines which it says would lead to a 30 per cent output discount.
The Skyactiv-G Turbo will reside on in different Mazda SUVs… however sadly they aren’t offered right here.
“We are going to proceed to supply the turbo engine in fashions such because the CX-50 and CX-30,” Mr Meisterfeld confirmed.
“We are going to see what our prospects need, and supply them the suitable automobiles.”
The CX-50 is a mid-size Mazda SUV provided solely in left-hand drive markets, whereas the CX-30 2.5T is produced solely in Mexico in left-hand drive – alongside Mazda 3s outfitted with the identical engine, that are additionally forbidden fruit for our market.
The two.5-litre turbo was beforehand provided within the CX-9, through which it debuted in 2016, and the Mazda 6, each of which have been discontinued.
Mazda Australia says there’ll be wholesome provide of the outgoing CX-5 vary up till the brand new mannequin’s launch, however past that consumers after a strong turbocharged mid-size SUV in Australia might want to take a look at rivals just like the Volkswagen Tiguan.
They might additionally look to Mazda’s personal CX-60 (pictured above), with its accessible 3.3-litre inline six-cylinder turbo engine producing extra energy and torque (209kW and 450Nm) whereas additionally attaining superior gas economic system (7.4L/100km versus 8.2L/100km).
Whereas the brand new CX-5 will not have a turbocharged flagship engine, the introduction of a hybrid powertrain will enable it to instantly tackle fashionable rivals just like the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Nissan X-Path e-Energy, amongst a flood of different electrified mid-size crossover SUVs.
At 4690mm lengthy, 1860mm vast and 1695mm tall, the brand new CX-5 is 115mm longer, 15mm wider than the prevailing mannequin, which stays Australia’s second hottest medium SUV regardless of courting again to 2016.
It additionally rides on a wheelbase that’s 115mm longer at 2815mm, and continues to include MacPherson strut entrance and multi-link rear suspension.
Styling is evolutionary outdoors however considerably extra revolutionary inside, the place many bodily controls have been eliminated and there’s a central multimedia touchscreen measuring a whopping 15.6 inches.
MORE: 2026 Mazda CX-5 brings more energizing styling, acquainted engine however no hybrid… but
