Fears Mazda's push upmarket with its CX-60, CX-70, CX-80 and CX-90 would leave popular mainstream models like the CX-5 in the lurch are officially unfounded, with the brand detailing a new in-house hybrid powertrain that will push the next-gen CX-5 closer to the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid than ever before.
Speaking at the launch of the CX-70 and CX-80, Mazda Australia chief Vinesh Bhindi said the CX-5 remains "massive for Australians", confirming that a "next-generation CX-5" is already underway.
"That segment is massive for Australians, and you can see the demand in that segment," he said. "We have a next generation CX-5 already underway."
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Though brands are usually tight-lipped on upcoming models, Mr Bhindi happily let slip some critical information about the all-important CX-5 replacement, including just what will be powering it.
"And it will come, which I can confirm, with full-hybrid technology. It will be Mazda-specific," he says.
That means Mazda will be delivering its own series-hybrid technology, separate to Toyota's tech, despite the latter being a major shareholder in the former. In the USA, the CX-50 Hybrid adopts Toyota's technology, but the CX-5 won't.
In fact, Mazda's global CEO Mazda Masahiro Moro promises the CX-5's hybrid will focus on driving dynamics to give it a point of difference to the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.
“We have been using Toyota’s hybrid system, and that’s an excellent system,” Moro said in an earnings call. “So to have a unique difference is the basic concept that we have. In our case, in the engine and the electric motor balance, we will mainly focus on a high-efficiency engine.”
“Customers can can enjoy excellent driving dynamic performance and also at the same time good environmental performance. This hybrid system pursues the joy of driving.”
The big question, of course is when? Mazda in Australia won't be drawn, but given the CX-5 is now among the oldest mid-size SUVs on sale in Australia, we'd expect an all-new model to launch in 2025 or 2026.
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