2026 Mazda CX-5 to Offer Electric and Hybrid Options, Confirms Report
According to reports, the next-generation 2026 Mazda CX-5 will be offered with an all-electric powertrain, as well as an in-house developed petrol-electric hybrid system. This move positions the CX-5 to compete directly with key rivals like the Tesla Model Y and the popular Toyota RAV4.
Tom Donnelly, the CEO of Mazda’s North American operations, reportedly confirmed these plans. He indicated that the new CX-5, the third generation of Mazda’s best-selling vehicle, will see a global debut “in the next few months.” This timeline aligns with statements from other Mazda executives who suggest a launch between July and September 2025.
“I can’t give you exact specifics on [Mazda’s in-house hybrid system], but in the next few months, you’ll see the global debut of our next-generation CX-5, and it’ll debut in that vehicle,” Donnelly said.
He also noted that the current CX-5 model continues to be a strong seller, indicating that this sustained momentum is expected to continue with the new model.
These comments effectively confirm that the CX-5 name will be retained for this new generation. Mazda had previously indicated in a financial report that a Mazda-developed hybrid engine would be included.
The electric CX-5 may be launched later than the standard petrol and hybrid versions, which are expected by the end of 2025. Mazda is also developing a separate electric mid-size SUV for certain markets. This model, potentially named EZ-60 in China and CX-6e elsewhere, was showcased as the Mazda Arata concept. It will be part of a joint venture with Changan Automotive in China and is a sibling to the Mazda 6e sedan and Deepal vehicles.
It’s currently uncertain whether the electric CX-5 will share its underpinnings with the combustion-engined model – which may use the ‘Small Platform’ featured in models such as the Mazda 3, CX-30, and CX-50 – or if it will introduce the ‘SkyActiv Scalable EV Architecture,’ which is expected to be available in 2027.
The electric version of the Small Platform has already been utilized in the MX-30 EV, which has now been discontinued in key markets. In late 2023, Donnelly stated that the brand would launch a battery-electric SUV in the U.S. using an established nameplate thus confirming it will be the CX-5.
In addition to the forthcoming electric version, the CX-5 is likely to maintain its familiar 2.5-liter non-turbo four-cylinder petrol engine. No news has been released regarding the future of the 2.0-liter non-turbo and 2.5-liter turbocharged options.
The introduction of a parallel-hybrid powertrain developed in-house will bring Mazda into direct competition with the Toyota RAV4, as well as the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Nissan X-Trail, and Honda CR-V, all of which offer full-hybrid powertrains.
Petrol and hybrid variants of the new CX-5 are anticipated to arrive in Mazda showrooms by the end of 2025 or early 2026.
More specifics about the 2026 Mazda CX-5 will be unveiled at its global debut in the coming months.
