2025 Mazda CX-5 revealed
The brand's rival to popular cars such as the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Nissan X-Trail will start a new chapter in Australia next year.
Unlike those rivals, it will not be available with hybrid power – at least initially.
Instead, Mazda is making do with a detuned version of the ageing 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine found in the current model.
Reworked to reduce power – and fuel consumption – the motor sends 132kW and 242Nm to a six-speed automatic transmission with front-wheel-drive as standard, and all-wheel-drive on the options list.
That's disappointing news for consumers increasingly drawn to the low fuel cost and effortless performance of hybrid powertrains.
Mazda will introduce a hybrid version of the car later down the track.
There's better news in the cabin, where a longer wheelbase should translate to more legroom than before.
Wider than its predecessor, the new CX-5 has a premium look inspired by Mazda's high-end SUVs that can cost $100,000 or more.
The most significant change is the addition of a 15.6-inch central display and the deletion of a rotary controller used to navigate menus in the existing model.
Instead, customers must use the touchscreen to access the car's various systems – including its air conditioning or climate control.
A new steering wheel deletes Mazda's traditional M-shaped logo in favour of the brand's name displayed in bright letters.
The same goes for the back of the car, where 'Mazda' is emblazoned across a tailgate missing the brand's traditional badge.
New headlights at the front and rear lend sharper looks that help it stand out from existing models, but once again, the car appears to be a careful evolution of the previous-generation model.
That's not necessarily a bad thing. The CX-5 has found more than 315,000 homes in Australia and more than 4.5 million around the world, making it one of the most popular models on sale.
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