Mazda CX-40 name registered in US, but brand remains quiet as to whether it means a new sibling for the 2026 Mazda CX-5 and rival for Toyota Corolla Cross

Mazda may soon be introducing a new model to bridge the gap between two of its most popular SUVs.

As reported by Autoblog, the Japanese carmaker filed a trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) earlier this year for the name Mazda CX-40.

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Trademarks are not true indications of whether a carmaker will actually produce a vehicle with that name. It may be just holding it so another carmaker doesn’t take it.

We’ve reached out to Mazda Australia for a statement and will update this story once we hear back.

If the CX-40 does get produced, it will likely sit between the CX-30 and CX-5 in the line-up.

It also won’t be the first time Mazda has produced an SUV with the number ‘4’ in its name.

The Japanese carmaker produced a model called the CX-4 from 2016 to 2025 and it was sold exclusively in China.

The Mazda CX-4 was based on the same platform as the previous-generation Mazda 3 and first-generation CX-5, but featured a lifted station wagon body style.

If this is the case with the potential Mazda CX-40, expect it to adopt swoopy, wagon- or coupe-like body styling.

It may even share some similarities with the Mazda Vision X-Coupe concept that was revealed at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show.

In addition to the trademark for the name Mazda CX-40, the Japanese carmaker also has current trademarks for the names CX-10 and CX-20 in numerous countries, including Australia.

At this stage it’s unclear whether Mazda intends to build these models, however it did reveal the Vision X Compact concept at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show. It previewed what looks like a next-generation Mazda 2 with subtle crossover SUV design cues.

Mazda has also committed more investment to its production facility in Thailand, where it will build a new compact SUV, potentially with a hybrid powertrain, as well as electric vehicles (EVs).