Mazda's 2022 CX-5 facelift has leaked in China – UPDATE: Official teaser released

UPDATE, September 11: The updated 2022 Mazda CX-5 has been teased for the first time by the brand’s US division, just days after leaked images of the vehicle surfaced online.

Posted on social media (see below), the image focuses on the rear-end of the facelifted crossover, showing reworked tail-lamps and an updated rear bumper.

Compared to the leaked Chinese-market version spotted this week, the United States 2.5-litre turbo model in the teaser image is likely to indicate changes bound for Australia, with a body-coloured lower bumper and larger exhaust tips shared with the recently-updated CX-9 added for the new model year.

The refreshed 2022 Mazda CX-5 is likely to debut in the United States in coming weeks, ahead of an expected Australian launch in early 2022. The original story continues below.

THE STORY TO HERE

September 9: The facelifted 2022 Mazda CX-5 has leaked online, in the lead up to an expected unveiling later this year.

The leaked information – courtesy of the Chinese Government’s Ministry of Industry and Information database – adds to recent rumours surrounding the launch of the updated medium SUV.

It is expected to be introduced in December 2021 with orders for the current model winding down at the end of August for the Japanese domestic market.

Published by Korean website Autospy, the images reveal a revised exterior design featuring redesigned headlight internals and reshaped tail-lights, as well as a larger front grille.

5

Image from autospy

In addition, the front bumper sports a more-conservative design in line with the newer 3 and CX-30 twins, with the LED fog lights found on the current CX-5 omitted from the facelifted version. Meanwhile the rear bumper has also been simplified with updated reflector strips.

A set of redesigned 17-inch and 19-inch alloy wheels round out the exterior design changes.

With no photos of the interior, it is not currently known if the design is set for change, though a larger 10.25-inch screen running Mazda’s latest infotainment system was added to select CX-5 grades earlier this year. A recent report by the same Japanese blog stipulates Mazda will refine the shape of the front seating for greater comfort.

5

Image from autospy

According to this report, Mazda will offer the updated CX-5 in an off-road focused appearance package in Japan with all-season tyres, as well as a sportier design with a darkened grille – likely serving as a successor to the Black Tone Edition, known in Australia as the GT SP.

Two new paint colours, platinum quartz – seen here on the vehicle featuring larger wheels – and zircon sand metallic will also be added to the range.

The adaptive LED lighting system – currently available on the flagship Akera grade locally – will shift from 12 to 20 light pieces for greater distribution at night. Meanwhile the incandescent front and rear indicator lamps found on the current model are also expected to shift to LED lighting – with a front light strip and a ‘pulsating’ rear globe designed to mimic halogen bulbs, as seen on the MX-30 small SUV.

5

Image from autospy

There will also be revisions to the suspension damping, Creative Trend reporting the turbocharged 2.5-litre engine option will be dropped from the Japanese range. The naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre engine will also pick up the option for all-wheel drive.

Cruising and traffic support, a system seen in the 3 and CX-30 designed to control steering and acceleration/braking in traffic-jams, is also rumoured to be added for the new model-year.

Recent history will show the updated Mazda CX-5 will go on sale in Australia in early 2022, following a late 2021 launch in Japan, though it is not known whether all the changes will make the local trip.

5

Current CX-5 SP shown

The CX-5 is expected to be sold alongside the all-new rear/all-wheel drive CX-50 – set to be unveiled at some stage in 2022, much like the CX-3 and CX-30.