2017 Mazda CX-5 teased

Mazda isn’t resting on its laurels with its top-selling medium SUV.

The mid-sized SUV market is up there with small cars in terms of competitiveness, with new and improved models arriving think and fast leaving little room for stagnation.

So much so, Mazda is previewing its second-generation CX-5 less than four years since it first introduced the popular crossover in 2013 – compare that to the decade between the two generations of the larger Mazda CX-9.

The CX-5 a leading seller in many markets, however with much of its competition including the Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Volkswagen Tiguan being refreshed for 2017, Mazda isn’t waiting for it to become the dimming star.

Such is the short time between the two generations that the cosmetic changes don’t appear to be too great, judging by the teaser pics released ahead of the CX-5’s world debut at next month’s Los Angeles Auto Show.

The vague narrative accompanying the image states that Mazda has further refined every design element of the Mazda CX-5, taking “the ‘KODO - Soul of Motion’ design concept to a new level … with a powerful combination of sophistication and strength”.

‘Refined’ usually means subtle changes and as recent spy pics also suggest, with Mazda taking a more evolutionary design philosophy with cues taken from the CX-9.

Some of the noticeable features discernable from the spy pics and the latest official teaser image are sharper headlights and grille treatments, a longer bonnet, deeper side windows for better vision, a more pronounced rear hip line, sleeker tail-lights, and a tailgate featuring the CX-9’s concave surface treatment.

The new KF series CX-5 will also share the seven-seater’s SkyActiv underpinnings and chassis advancements including improved sound-deadening measures, to help quell the road noise and vibration issues associated with the current model.

This should leave plenty of room should Mazda want to step up the changes to continue ahead of the curve.

It’s expected to be powered by improved versions of the current 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre SkyActiv-G four-cylinder petrol units along with the somewhat quieter 2.2-litre SkyActiv-D turbo-diesel that will be under the bonnet of some MY17 Mazda 6 variants.

Expect a heap of new driver assist technology to make its way into the CX-5 range, too, including AEB-R – Autonomous Emergency Braking in Reverse, which stops the car while you’re reversing if it detects something in or crossing its path.

Entry pricing is expected to remain below $30,000, though Australian pricing and specifications will be released shortly before it’s Australian launch next year.

Mazda is expected to launch the new CX-5 at Los Angeles on November 16.