2025 Mazda CX-5: Hybrid confirmed for third-gen midsize SUV

The third-generation 2025 Mazda CX-5 will have an in-house hybrid powertrain to rival the Toyota RAV4, it has been confirmed.

Mazda made the quiet announcement in its financial results for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, stating it would “equip [the] next CX-5 with a Mazda-developed hybrid engine”.

As detailed here, the all-new CX-5 should debut in 2025 based on the front- or all-wheel-drive Small Platform architecture from the latest Mazda 3, CX-30 and CX-50.

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While previous comments from Mazda Australia executives led to speculation that the brand’s next midsize SUV could wear a different name – like CX-40 – it appears the CX-5 name will stick around after all.

“What they're going to call it, look, that's going to be a totally different debate and I don't think even Mazda has made a decision on it," said Mazda Australia boss Vinesh Bhindi in January 2024.

"But in terms of size, packaging, and value, there is going to be a direct replacement of [the CX-5 midsize SUV] in the future."

Mazda has partnered with Toyota to develop a hybrid system for the CX-50 following a previous deal for the last-generation Mazda 3 Hybrid in Japan – however, it appears the CX-5 will have its own electrified powertrain.

In China, the CX-50 hybrid receives the Toyota RAV4's 2.5-litre non-turbo powertrain, electric motor, CVT automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive. An identical setup is expected to appear in North America later this year.

The all-wheel-drive RAV4 Hybrid has a 163kW total system output – compared to 139kW/252Nm for the naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre CX-50 and 186kW/434Nm for the CX-50 2.5-litre turbo.

Mazda Australia has ruled out the off-road-styled CX-50 as it remains limited to left-hand drive markets.

It’s unclear if the forthcoming CX-5 hybrid will be a traditional hybrid like the RAV4 or a plug-in hybrid like the Mitsubishi Outlander and Mazda CX-60.

The current Mazda CX-5 launched in Australia in mid-2017, though it has received several revisions throughout its lifecycle including a turbocharged petrol in 2018, a mid-life facelift in 2022, and minor tech updates almost every year.

VFACTS new-car sales data reveals the Mazda CX-5 is the third-best-selling mid-size internal-combustion SUV in Australia to the end of April with 7125 registrations – down 10.5 per cent compared to 2023 – behind the Toyota RAV4 and Mitsubishi Outlander.