The third-generation Mazda CX-5 will debut the Japanese brand’s new ‘Mazda Hybrid’ system in 2027, based around a new petrol engine and in-house hybrid technology – not utilising Toyota tech like the existing CX-50 does overseas.
Speaking with CarExpert, general manager for global sales and marketing at Mazda Motor Corporation, Manabu Osuga, explained why the Japanese brand opted to develop its own hybrid drivetrain – and take more time to get it to market – rather than lean on its existing relationship with Toyota when came to hybrid power for the next generation of its top-selling model.
“We are making a unique Mazda Hybrid system because we really care about Mazda’s ‘jinba ittai’ philosophy,” Osuga-san said.
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“I think you know about the CX-50 in the North American market. We already apply the Toyota hybrid system. If you drive the RAV4 Hybrid versus the CX-50 Hybrid, I think you can feel the ‘Mazda’ from the CX-50’s Toyota hybrid system.
“We have a confidence in tuning their technical components to make it ‘Mazda’. That applies to the Mazda 6e and CX-6e also [which are co-developed with Changan in China]. But if we really put our DNA into the car – like MX-5 – then we decided to develop our own hybrid system.
“The two reasons [are] – one, we want to clearly understand what the hybrid is in-house, by doing in-house engineering. And the second is that hybrid [powertrains] have several [layouts], but the system we chose is the direct system which directly connects to the transmission to move the transaxle.
“So that will give us the direct and linear feeling of acceleration. That is the reason why we [have chosen] to go with the Mazda unique system.”
While full details of the new Mazda Hybrid system haven’t been communicated as yet, we already know the CX-5’s electrified drivetrain will launch in the Americas in 2027, when it will also debut the brand’s new ‘Skyactiv Z’ petrol engine.
This new engine, which will share components with the brand’s existing 2.5-litre mill, will offer greater performance and fuel economy than before, while also meeting strict Euro 7 emissions regulations in Europe, and both LEV4 and Tier 4 regulations in North America.
Mazda claims the Skyactiv Z engine achieves lower emissions without any drop in output, as opposed to conventional engines which it says would result in a 30 per cent output reduction.
While mainstream hybrids generally have a primary focus on improving fuel-efficiency and reducing emissions, the VP of strategic planning for Mazda North American Operations told CarBuzz in a statement last year that “the [Mazda] hybrid system will have performance that is comparable to or exceeding the [G35 2.5T] turbo powertrain”.
Mazda Australia has confirmed the CX-5 Hybrid for local showrooms, though concrete timing is still to be communicated. Thus far, we only know it’s coming “after” it launches in the US sometime next year.
For now, the 2026 Mazda CX-5 will be launched in Australia with a single naturally aspirated petrol engine, a version of the outgoing model’s 2.5-litre four-cylinder unit making 132kW/242Nm, teamed with a six-speed automatic transmission.
It’s down 8kW and 10Nm on the outgoing model’s G25 motor, and Mazda’s executive team confirmed that’s due to Australia mandating CO2 emissions limits aligned with the Euro 6d standard, which came into effect late last year for new models.
There is an electrified CX-5 already on sale elsewhere in the world, with the European market getting another version of the 2.5-litre petrol engine teamed with a 24V mild-hybrid system, dubbed ‘e-Skyactiv G’.
However, its further reduced outputs – 104kW/238Nm – led Mazda Australia to opt for the unassisted version as the added grunt was more appropriate for Australian customer needs – read more here.
Full Australian pricing and specifications for the 2026 Mazda CX-5 are being announced tomorrow, so stay tuned to CarExpert for all the latest – and let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
