We now have a better idea than ever what the new Mazda CX-5’s hybrid engine will look like thanks to new patent filings.
Japanese publication BestCar unearthed patents from Mazda in December last year and has broken them down, giving us an idea of what to expect ahead of the new CX-5 replacement’s debut, which is expected for the third quarter of 2025.
As Mazda CEO Masahiro Moro promised earlier, the system’s likely to have a simpler layout to what you’d find in a Toyota RAV4 hybrid, Nissan X-Trail e-Power, GWM Haval H6 or Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.
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The patent pertains to a hybrid vehicle engine and shows a four-cylinder engine laid out trasversely (East-West) like the current CX-5. It also highlights the two electric motors, power control unit and high-voltage battery, said BestCar.
Like in Toyota’s system, there are two electric motors, one of which drives the wheels and another that works to regenerate the small battery. The electric drive motor is positioned to the right of the engine, with a clutch and transmission in between the two components.
This isn’t a novel idea in itself and is similar to Toyota's existing system.
What is unique about the Mazda patent is the position of the control module that tells the electric motors what to do. It is situated right on top of the e-motor, meaning no need for heavy cables. It also keeps the powertrain nice and compact.
As a parallel hybrid, Mazda’s in-house system will be able to drive the wheels with electric-only, petrol-only, or a combination of both. It looks like the system will be front biased.
The engine at the heart is not confirmed, but Mazda has promised a "balance" between electric and petrol motivation, suggesting perhaps a smaller four-cylinder and larger electric motor than Toyota offers.
Expect a dramatic fuel consumption improvement compared to the current CX-5 turbo’s 8.2L/100km rating.
As for when we’ll see the new drive system, it is not clear. In an interview with business outlet Moneyweb, Managing Director Mazda Southern Africa Craig Roberts let slip that the CX-5’s replacement will launch this year.
“From a product perspective, the biggest one we are really excited about is the all-new CX-5. CX-5 is probably our biggest volume seller over the last 10 years since Mazda re-entered as an independent automotive entity in the South African market.
“That new CX-5 will debut in the third quarter of this year and will probably hit our shores in the first quarter of 2026,” said Roberts. Expect Australian timing to be similar as both are right-hand-drive markets.
BestCar anticipates the hybrid system may be delayed until early 2026, however, meaning the CX-5 may launch with either petrol or mild-hybrid motivation first.
As for the CX-5 replacement’s underpinnings, they remain a mystery though the transverse engine indicates it could use a version of the CX-30's underpinnings, as the US and China-market CX-50 does.
Mazda has been keeping the lid on the CX-5's replacement, so there's precious little concrete information. We know it's coming, though, so expect more news soon.
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