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

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The Mazda CX-5 replacement could look something like this artist’s impression. (Image credit: Best Car Web)
Justin Hilliard
Head of Editorial
12 Feb 2021
3 min read

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.

It’s expected that the CX-5 replacement will actually be known as the CX-50. (Image credit: Best Car Web)
It’s expected that the CX-5 replacement will actually be known as the CX-50. (Image credit: Best Car Web)

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.

ā€œWe have publicly stated that Mazda is pursuing into the premium territory – not luxury, premium,ā€ he said.

ā€œAnd 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.

ā€œBut at the same time, we will offer mainstream value propositions to private buyers. So, we are expanding the business, as opposed to just moving.ā€

Indeed, it appears the CX-5 will carry on in the short term as Mazda’s ā€˜mainstream value proposition’ in the segment, while the CX-50 will be the ā€˜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…

Justin Hilliard
Head of Editorial
Justin’s dad chose to miss his birth because he wanted to watch Peter Brock hopefully win Bathurst, so it figures Justin grew up to have a car obsession, too – and don’t worry, his dad did turn up in time after some stern words from his mum. That said, despite loving cars and writing, Justin chose to pursue career paths that didn’t lend themselves to automotive journalism, before eventually ending up working as a computer technician. But that car itch just couldn’t be scratched by his chipped Volkswagen Golf R (Mk7), so he finally decided to give into the inevitable and study a Master of Journalism at the same time. And even with the long odds, Justin was lucky enough to land a full-time job as a motoring journalist soon after graduating and the rest, as they say, is history. These days, Justin happily finds himself working at CarsGuide during the biggest period of change yet for the automotive industry, which is perhaps the most exciting part of all. In case you’re wondering, Justin begrudgingly sold the Golf R (sans chip) and still has plans to buy his dream car, an E46 BMW M3 coupe (manual, of course), but he is in desperate need of a second car space – or maybe a third.
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