On July 10, Japanese automaker Mazda officially released the first images of the next-generation CX-5. As a full model change, the new CX-5 features significant updates to both exterior and interior styling, with increased dimensions and new technology. The first version to be launched will be the European model, equipped with the e-SKYACTIV G 2.5 petrol engine paired with a mild-hybrid system. A hybrid model featuring the all-new SKYACTIV-Z powertrain is expected to debut in 2027.
Mazda has confirmed that the new CX-5 will be sold alongside the CX-50. The CX-50 is produced in the U.S. and will offer a hybrid system co-developed with Toyota, while the new CX-5 will be manufactured in Japan, slated to launch in Europe by the end of 2025 and in other markets in 2026. It remains uncertain whether a new-generation CX-5 will be introduced to the Chinese market.
Exterior Design
The next-generation CX-5 continues Mazda’s signature design language while refining many details. The classic grille design has been retained but now comes with a honeycomb mesh pattern and appears slightly smaller. Slim boomerang-shaped LED headlights with multiple internal light strips add to the car’s modern and high-tech look. The lower bumper features a horizontal air intake, with fog lights likely integrated into the corners.
From the side, the CX-5 maintains its compact yet muscular proportions, with blacked-out mirror housings, wheel arches, and rims for a sportier appearance. At the rear, newly designed slim taillights echo the front lighting design, while the model name now appears in a fresh lettering style. Blacked-out lower bumpers and roof elements, together with hidden exhaust outlets, further emphasize its sporty character. The SUV’s new dimensions are 4,690 mm long, 1,860 mm wide, and 1,695 mm high; wheelbase details are yet to be announced.
Interior and Technology
Inside, the biggest highlight is the adoption of a 15.6-inch floating central display with Mazda’s latest infotainment system. The cabin design is simplified, with most physical buttons removed. The SUV will also feature Mazda’s newest driver-assistance technologies for improved safety and convenience.
Powertrain
The first model to launch in Europe will be powered by the e-SKYACTIV G 2.5 mild-hybrid engine, delivering 104 kW of maximum power and 238 Nm of peak torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Mazda is also developing the SKYACTIV-Z hybrid system, which is planned for release in 2027.
Market Positioning
The Mazda CX-5 is Mazda’s best-known compact SUV, first launched in 2011. In China, the model entered local production by Changan Mazda in 2013, with pricing originally ranging from RMB 169,800–252,800 (≈ USD 23,000–34,000). The second-generation CX-5 launched in 2017, priced between RMB 169,800–245,800 (≈ USD 23,000–33,000), and received a mid-cycle facelift in March 2022, priced between RMB 175,800–236,800 (≈ USD 24,000–32,000).
In China’s compact SUV market, the CX-5 sits below the Changan Mazda CX-50 in terms of positioning. Its competitors include the Toyota Corolla Cross/Frontlander, Hyundai ix35 Mufasa, Volkswagen Tharu, and Nissan Qashqai. Sales data show that in the first half of 2025, Mazda sold 13,803 units of the CX-5 in China—far behind rivals such as the Toyota Corolla Cross (86,479 units) and the Frontlander (84,174 units). Mazda remains a niche brand in the Chinese market, with lower recognition compared to Toyota, Honda, and Nissan.
