2022 Mazda CX-5 replacement timing confirmed! Reveal set for new Toyota RAV4 rival with six-cylinder engines and rear-wheel drive: report

Thanks to a new report, we now have a more specific idea of when Mazda will reveal the eagerly anticipated replacement for the CX-5 mid-size SUV as well as the related next-generation Mazda6 mid-size car.

Best Car Web claims both models are currently scheduled to be revealed next year, as expected, with the CX-5 replacement to make its debut in December, while the Mazda6 will do so in April.

As reported, both models and the CX-8 and CX-9 large SUVs are set to embrace Mazda’s new Large Architecture, a platform that supports longitudinal engines and rear-wheel drive instead of the familiar combination of transverse units and front-wheel drive.

The longitudinal engines in questions will include inline six-cylinder units, with regular Sky-Activ-G petrol and SkyActiv-D diesel varieties planned alongside a SkyActiv-X petrol version with compression ignition and a mild-hybrid system.

As far as the latter is concerned, Best Car Web says it will have a displacement of 3.0 litres, with it being 50 per cent larger than the original SkyActiv-X petrol engine, the 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit in the current Mazda3 small car and CX-30 small SUV.

According to the Japanese publication, the CX-5 replacement will be about 50mm longer (4600mm) than the existing mid-size SUV, with this difference in size to play a key part in its positioning.

Why? Well, it’s expected that the CX-5 replacement will actually be known as the CX-50, a nameplate was trademarked by Mazda in Australia last year.

While the so-called CX-50 will technically succeed the second-generation CX-5, both models are all but confirmed to be sold alongside one another from the former’s launch, with Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi hinting at such last month.

“We have publicly stated that Mazda is pursuing into the premium territory – not luxury, premium,” he said.

“And we believe as the brand grows, as the portfolio grows, as the next generation arrives, we potentially will be offering things that are above what we do currently.

“But at the same time, we will offer mainstream value propositions to private buyers. So, we are expanding the business, as opposed to just moving.”

Indeed, it appears the CX-5 will carry on in the short term as Mazda’s ‘mainstream value proposition’ in the segment, while the CX-50 will be the ‘premium’ offering, owing to the Large Architecture.

And if that strategy sounds a little too familiar, it’s because it’s exactly what played out with the CX-3 light SUV, with its slightly larger replacement not only ending up being sold alongside it, but also being named CX-30…