New Mazda CX-5 teased, and this time it’s official
Mazda’s all-new generation of the phenomenally successful CX-5 is just around the corner
Mazda has confirmed its all-new CX-5 will be revealed in full on 10 July, marking the third generation of the incredibly popular mid-size SUV. Teased in a new image that reveals its headlights and silhouette, the brand is promising the latest version of its best seller will retain its engaging driving experience, while integrating more tech, better comfort and increased versatility.
This isn’t the first time we’ve ‘nearly’ seen the new model, though, because images have already been leaked online. And despite their low quality, they revealed an athletic and sophisticated new look for the mid-size family SUV.
Admittedly, you’d be forgiven for thinking this is just a facelifted version of the current CX-5, because the two cars’ proportions are very similar – as we noticed when our spy photographers caught a prototype out and about testing earlier this year.
However, the Mk3 car’s front end, especially the grille design and light arrangement, is more akin to what we’ve seen on the new Mazda 6e saloon and CX-6e SUV concept. Those two models are electric though, while the CX-5 will be a hybrid, so its grille is open and the bumper features larger air intakes.
As with the current car, the new CX-5 will retain wheelarch extensions and have a relatively long bonnet to give it a sportier profile. But the bumper is more sculpted, presumably in a bid to emphasise its width and make the SUV look more assertive.
The single leaked image doesn’t give much else away, but our spy shots show the new CX-5 will feature a twin-exit exhaust system – a design trait of Mazda’s internal combustion-engined cars – plus a thin, horizontal rear light cluster that’s not too dissimilar to the CX-80 SUV’s.
Meanwhile, a brief glimpse of the interior tells us the CX-5 may take inspiration from the 6e electric saloon with a huge 14.6-inch touchscreen mounted on the dash, although this may be changed for the production model.
The new CX-5 will feature a hybrid powertrain, which is no surprise given that the car’s main rivals – including the Kia Sportage, Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Tucson – have already fully embraced electrification. No technical details have been released so far, however, we do know the company has developed its own hybrid powertrain for the new SUV.
A plug-in hybrid CX-5 seems likely, too, because Mazda’s latest SUVs – the CX-60 and seven-seat CX-80 – are both offered with this type of powertrain. However, there won’t be a zero-emissions version, because the company will be launching a pure-electric SUV called the CX-6e in 2027 to rival the Tesla Model Y, among others.
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