Tag Archives: CX-5

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Mazda’s First True EV Takes Shape — And It Looks Like a CX-5 Reboot for the Electric Age

Mazda is finally warming up its electric motors. After years of dabbling around the edges of electrification with the quirky MX-30 and a handful of platform-sharing arrangements, Hiroshima’s most stubbornly driver-focused automaker is now deep into testing its first bespoke EV architecture—scheduled to debut in 2027. And the early evidence suggests it might arrive wearing one of the most important nameplates in the brand’s catalogue.

Mazda Goes All-In: The 6e Era Begins

For an automaker that prides itself on going its own way—long hoods, rear-biased dynamics, and an obsession with “jinba ittai” harmony—Mazda has been conspicuously absent from the bespoke-EV-platform club. Its sole EV, the MX-30, sat on a modified CX-30 chassis. Meanwhile, its new 6e sedan and EZ-60 SUV rely heavily on tech from Chinese partner Changan.

Not anymore.

Mazda has kicked off a $10 billion electrification campaign, and central to that plan is an in-house EV platform engineered by a dedicated skunkworks team dubbed E-Mazda. CTO Ryuichi Umeshita says he’s already driven an early prototype—and claims it feels exactly like a Mazda should.

“It’s a real jinba ittai car… It has very good driving dynamics,”
Umeshita told Autocar, sounding like a man genuinely relieved his new EV hasn’t turned into a soulless appliance.

Mazda knows it’s late to the game. But Umeshita insists that developing the MX-30—flawed though it was—gave the company a cadre of engineers who already understand the complicated world of EV packaging, safety, and integration.

A CX-5–Sized EV? The Spy Shots Say Yes

Early test mules have now hit public roads, and at a glance they look suspiciously like a downsized CX-90 wearing a not-so-convincing disguise. But look again:

  • The front-door-to-wheel-well distance is dramatically shortened
  • The overall proportions are trimmer
  • The arches swallow the wheels, hinting at an underlying EV skateboard layout

All signs point to a five-seat crossover roughly in the footprint of a CX-5 EV—a smart move if Mazda wants its first clean-sheet EV to actually sell. The CX-5 remains Mazda’s best-selling model globally. Giving buyers a familiar shape with an unfamiliar powertrain is just good business.

Volume or Niche? Mazda Still Isn’t Sure

Despite the prototypes roaming the streets, Mazda hasn’t even decided whether its EV debutante will be a high-volume mainstream model or a lower-volume halo.

Why? Because regulations, not marketing, will dictate the final answer.

“If the regulation requires a higher EV mix, it must be a volume car,”
Umeshita told Autocar.
“If the regulation is eased, then we can ease the volume restraints.”

Translation: Mazda is ready to pivot either way.

Lean, Mean, EV Machine Development

Perhaps the most Mazda-like part of this whole story is how the company plans to build the thing: efficiently and with a touch of quiet genius.

The brand has rolled out a “lean asset strategy” that relies heavily on:

  • Simulation-led R&D
  • AI-assisted engineering
  • Strategic partner-suppliers
  • Cost-cutting development processes

Mazda claims this approach will let them triple development output with the same resources—a crucial advantage for a relatively small automaker trying to compete with the likes of VW, Hyundai, and Tesla.

The Road Ahead

So what do we have? A shrunken CX-90 lookalike mule. A 2027 deadline. A new EV platform with “Mazda” written all over its handling DNA. A development process pulled tight like a drum.

If Mazda can deliver a genuinely engaging, beautifully built, reasonably priced EV crossover in the CX-5 mold… it might just pull off one of the quietest, most impressive comebacks of the electric transition.

And honestly?
We’re rooting for them. Mazda has always made cars for people who love driving. If they can bring that magic into the electric era, the market will be better for it.

Source: Mazda

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Mazda Hikes Prices as Sales Stay Strong—But Can Momentum Survive the Squeeze?

Mazda rolled into 2025 riding the high of a record-smashing 2024, with new sheetmetal and fresh nameplates pulling buyers into showrooms. The streak hasn’t broken yet: sales through August are up 3.5 percent, totaling 293,495 units. But there’s a catch—prices are climbing, and the timing isn’t exactly subtle.

Earlier this week, Mazda quietly pushed through increases on a couple of staples. The CX-5—still the brand’s volume king—now costs $280 more. Even the MX-5 Miata, Mazda’s halo car and a perennial enthusiast darling, is $300 pricier. No justification was offered, though inflation, tariffs, and higher input costs are the obvious suspects.

The bigger shocker is the 2026 CX-90. Mazda’s three-row flagship now starts at $38,800 before a $1,530 destination charge, up from $38,045 just a year ago. That’s not pocket change, and the increases ripple across the lineup:

  • 3.3 Turbo Preferred: $42,950 (+$1,805)
  • 3.3 Turbo Premium Sport: $46,980 (+$380)
  • CX-90 PHEV base: $50,495 (+$550)
  • CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus: $58,500 (+$550)

Those hikes landed the same week Mazda dropped its August sales report, which painted a mixed picture. Deliveries fell 7.6 percent year-over-year to 38,140 units, though the decline shrank to 4.1 percent when adjusted for one fewer selling day.

Still, Mazda’s portfolio is showing its split personality. The CX-5 led the way with 11,759 sales, down 8.8 percent from last August, but still up 2.1 percent year-to-date. The CX-90 had a banner month—6,801 sold, up nearly 13 percent. The CX-50 is red hot too, with a 15.7 percent August gain and a massive 36.3 percent jump YTD. On the flip side, the CX-30 fell off a cliff, down 40 percent for the month and 35 percent YTD. The Mazda3 sedan held its ground (+4.2 percent YTD), but the hatchback is in freefall, down 43.1 percent so far this year.

The feel-good story belongs to the MX-5. Miata sales climbed 15.5 percent in August, and year-to-date numbers are up almost 30 percent. The little roadster may not move big volumes, but it’s punching well above its weight in showroom buzz.

So where does this leave Mazda? On balance, 2025 is shaping up to be another growth year, but the margin is slim. With buyers more price-sensitive than ever, the brand will be hoping the CX-90’s shine—and the MX-5’s cult following—outweigh the sting of higher MSRPs. Otherwise, the momentum that carried Mazda to record heights last year could start to sputter.

Source: Mazda

NEW CARS

2026 Mazda CX-5: More Space, Smarter Tech, Same Soul

Mazda’s best-selling model is entering a new era. The third-generation Mazda CX-5 has officially broken cover, bringing with it a host of meaningful updates aimed at enhancing everyday usability, boosting technology, and refining the driving experience—without compromising the soul that made the original such a global success.

Since its launch in 2012, the CX-5 has represented Mazda’s core values, being the first to fully embrace the brand’s Kodo – Soul of Motion design language and Skyactiv Technology. Over 4.7 million units later, the SUV remains central to the company’s identity. With the 2025 model, Mazda is sharpening the CX-5’s appeal for the modern family, while laying the groundwork for updates across its entire line-up.

More Room, More Convenience

The new CX-5 has grown—but not dramatically. It now measures 4690mm long, 1860mm wide, and 1695mm tall, with a wheelbase stretched by 115mm. This subtle change has unlocked noticeable gains in cabin space, particularly in the rear where shoulder, leg, and headroom have all improved. With families firmly in mind, Mazda has focused on real-world usability. Rear doors now open wider to ease the loading of child seats, while the tailgate lifts higher and the boot loading lip sits lower to improve access.

Boot space has jumped by 61 litres to 583 litres, overtaking the Honda CR-V and nearly matching the Kia Sportage, giving the CX-5 a stronger case in the ever-competitive midsize SUV segment.

A New Digital Heart

One of the biggest shifts in the new CX-5 is its thoroughly reworked infotainment setup. A 15.6-inch Google-powered touchscreen headlines the dashboard on higher trims (base models get a 12.9-inch version), replacing the long-standing physical rotary dial and climate controls. This marks a significant departure from Mazda’s traditional interior layout—but it’s a change driven by customer demand.

“The dial offered limited functionality,” said Christian Schultze, Mazda’s tech research boss. “It was good for volume and simple functions but was harder when more complex operations were called for.”

The new system is as connected as it is intuitive, offering full wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, integrated Google Maps, and support for media apps like Netflix and Amazon Prime—features that make waiting in the car more tolerable, especially for rear-seat passengers. Paired with a 10.25-inch digital driver display, the system brings the CX-5 firmly into the connected era.

With the removal of the dial, Mazda has also added a wireless charging pad and redesigned the center console for improved functionality. It’s all part of a broader vision, according to European design chief Jo Stenuit, who confirmed that this new layout and branding cues—including a refreshed typeface on the steering wheel and rear badge—will roll out across the Mazda portfolio.

Design That Moves

The exterior may not scream revolution, but it’s a clear evolution of Mazda’s Kodo design language. A longer nose and reshaped arches lend the CX-5 a more planted stance, drawing inspiration from the SP Concept shown in 2023. It’s more refined and mature, but still recognizably Mazda—athletic without being aggressive.

Under the Hood: Simpler, Smarter Powertrain

Gone is the array of petrol and diesel engines. Instead, Mazda has simplified the offering with a single hybridised powertrain: a 139 hp 2.5-litre e-Skyactiv G petrol engine, shared with the Mazda 3 and CX-30. This setup offers a balance of efficiency and performance suitable for the CX-5’s family-friendly mission. All-wheel drive remains on the menu for those needing extra traction.

To complement the new powertrain, steering and suspension tweaks have been applied to reduce driver fatigue over long journeys—a subtle nod to the brand’s “Jinba-Ittai” ethos, the harmony between car and driver.

An SUV for the Moment

Mazda calls the third-generation CX-5’s development concept “New Generation Emotional Daily Comfort”, a philosophy that blends emotional design, tactile quality, and everyday practicality. Whether it’s school runs, weekend getaways, or the daily commute, the new CX-5 aims to provide comfort, connection, and control.

With enhanced ADAS safety systems, a redesigned Human-Machine Interface, and a focus on quietness and ride comfort, the 2025 CX-5 isn’t just bigger—it’s smarter, friendlier, and better suited to modern family life.

Mazda’s reimagined SUV will arrive in European showrooms by the end of 2025, with global markets to follow in 2026. Pricing is expected to start around £30,000 (in the UK), keeping it aligned with the outgoing model despite the significant upgrades.

In a segment flooded with options, the 2025 CX-5 makes a strong case for itself—not by chasing trends, but by thoughtfully responding to what real drivers and families actually want.

Source: Mazda

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2026 Mazda CX-5: More Space, Smarter Tech, Same Soul