When Mazda launched the CX-50 a few years ago, it raised concerns about the CX-5’s future and whether it would still have a place in the lineup. However, it didn’t take long for the company to confirm a next-generation CX-5, proving there’s no such thing as having too many SUVs in the portfolio. The current model has been around for nine years, and the minor updates it has received can’t hide the fact that it’s aging. Thankfully, a successor is just around the corner.
The first teaser images are accompanied by an announcement: we’ll see the new CX-5 on July 10. When Mazda brightens these images, expect to spot a “more confident design,” which so far appears to be a subtle evolution of the current model. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as the outgoing version still looks sharp despite its age. That said, a bit more variety in Mazda’s growing SUV lineup certainly wouldn’t hurt.
One phrase in Mazda’s succinct press release does raise a concern. While there are no teaser images of the interior, we’re promised an “uncluttered cabin.” What could that mean? The most logical interpretation is fewer physical controls, with more functions shifted to the touchscreen. Maybe we’re reading too much into it, but don’t be surprised if Mazda reduces the number of buttons and/or even removes the BMW-style rotary dial.
A simplified dashboard wouldn’t be unprecedented, considering the EZ-6 sedan and EZ-60 crossover in China focus heavily on screens. The former will be sold internationally as the 6e, and the latter is also expected to reach markets outside China. However, neither model is coming to the United States.
On the topic of electrification, Mazda has already confirmed a hybrid CX-5, though a full EV isn’t in the cards. Starting in 2027, the next-gen crossover will debut the company’s new Skyactiv-Z engine: a 2.5-liter inline-four gasoline unit as part of a hybrid powertrain. This revamped engine promises “even higher thermal efficiency and an overwhelmingly wider range” than the existing Skyactiv-G and Skyactiv-X units.
To help achieve this, Mazda is equipping the Skyactiv-Z engine with new heat shielding technology in an effort to “reach the ultimate combustion threshold,” where λ equals 1.0. Lambda represents the air-fuel equivalence ratio, and when it hits 1, it indicates a perfectly balanced mixture that maximizes efficiency and minimizes emissions through complete combustion. While the CX-50 hybrid uses a Toyota-sourced powertrain, the next-gen CX-5 will feature a hybrid setup developed in-house.
In the meantime, Mazda is hyping up the new CX-5 by promising a “more engaging, intuitive drive with refined control and a smoother response.” The company’s crossovers are typically among the most fun to drive in their segments, so we’re glad that driver engagement remains a priority for the third-generation model.
The wraps are coming off July 10, and sales in the United States will start with the 2026 model year.
