The CX-5 hybrid might not be an instant sales success with a Mazda executive not expecting critical mass until closer to 2030.
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The next-generation CX-5 will in time be the first Mazda model to feature the brand’s all-new petrol-electric hybrid powertrain, but despite the popularity of rivals like the Toyota RAV4, the brand is keeping expectations of sales low.
Of course, without any details outside the fact it will be based on the new SkyActiv-Z ‘lean combustion’ engine, it is still too early to determine whether Mazda’s hybrid system will be a match for others in terms of outputs and fuel economy.
Speaking to Drive, Mazda Australia boss Vinesh Bhindi said the hybrid will likely not overtake the non-hybrid petrol CX-5 until closer to 2030.
“I think as we transition into later this decade and the electrification desire, push, [and] want both from customers and regulators accelerates, of course [hybrid will be more popular],” Bhindi said.
“But it's a transition. It's not going to happen overnight, so that's why we felt strongly that we have to continue to offer that option [of a 2.5-litre petrol engine] for the consumer to make.”
While the third-generation CX-5 will arrive in Australian showrooms in the second half of 2026, the hybrid version will not touch down until 2027 at the earliest.
The CX-5 hybrid will enter a highly-competitive family SUV market that has been growing increasingly crowded since the fifth-generation Toyota RAV4 arrived in 2019 with a hybrid option.
Since that model arrived, the RAV4 overtook the CX-5 to claim the mantle of Australia’s most popular SUV, and Toyota has dropped all petrol-only versions of its mid-size SUV (and other non-GR SUV and passenger car models).
However, competition has been heating up from Chinese brands in the same space with the arrival of the GWM Haval H6 and MG HS that are also series-parallel hybrids like the RAV4, not to mention plug-in hybrids like the BYD Sealion 6, Chery Tiggo 7, and Jaecoo J7.
Even battery electric vehicles (BEVs) like the Geely EX5, Leapmotor C10, and Deepal S07 are now available at similar price points to mainstream petrol-electric hybrid models.
A crucial puzzle piece for Mazda Australia will be how it prices the new CX-5 hybrid, but given the brand is promising turbo-petrol levels of performance, the powertrain is expected to sit atop the line-up that is currently tops out at $55,650 before on-road costs.
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Tung Nguyen has been in the automotive journalism industry for over a decade, cutting his teeth at various publications before finding himself at Drive in 2024. With experience in news, feature, review, and advice writing, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung’s love of cars first started as a child watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, of course.
