With 153,808 units sold last year, the CX-5 was Mazda’s top seller in North America. This is notable since the compact crossover has been around since 2017. A new generation has now been officially confirmed. The news was quietly disclosed in a document related to the company’s financial results for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024.
Mazda also mentioned that the third-generation model will feature a hybrid powertrain developed in-house. However, the brand did not specify if it will be a traditional hybrid or a plug-in hybrid. It’s noteworthy that Mazda has used Toyota’s hybrid technology for some models. In China, there’s a CX-50 that uses the Toyota RAV4’s electrified components. The same document indicates a hybrid CX-50 is planned for other markets in the second half of 2024.
When the CX-50 debuted in 2022, some speculated about the CX-5’s future. However, both models will continue to be available. This is logical since the CX-5 was almost three and a half times more popular in North America than the CX-50 last year.
That said, it’s hard to ignore how crowded Mazda’s SUV lineup is becoming. The CX-70 and CX-90 have been added to the range, both featuring the new rear-wheel-drive platform with larger inline-six engines. The sleek electric Mazda6, mentioned in the document, will only be sold in China, where a plug-in hybrid version will also be offered.
What’s on the horizon? Mazda has announced its first EV on a dedicated platform will arrive in 2027, with a “full scale launch of EVs” planned from 2028 to 2030.
Source and Images: Motor1