A sneaky photo of a camouflaged SUV in a US carpark appears to be the new Mazda CX-5 undergoing testing, according to the photographer.
The photo, despite being somewhat blurry, shows a mid-size SUV parked in a California parking lot, captioned ‘Mazda CX-5; Next generation spotted for the first time in US’.
Instagram user @sapphireallroad is said to have submitted the snap to @KindelAuto, who published the blurry photo to their Instagram story.
The image has since been shared to numerous social media groups, but there’s been no confirmation the mule is indeed the next-gen CX-5.
Still, the shape and features visible on the test car strongly suggest it is as such, with the silhouette, pillars and windows all looking similar to the current CX-5.
Of course, the nature of the photo means details like the wheels, grille or headlights can’t be made out to determine any further information.
Mazda has already confirmed some details about the next-gen CX-5, most notably that it will feature a hybrid drivetrain.
Whether a non-hybrid is still to be available is yet to be determined. Currently the CX-5 is available with a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre or 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, or a 2.5-litre turbo engine here in Australia. A 2.2-litre diesel engine was previously available.
When the hybrid does land for the next CX-5, it’ll be a Mazda-developed system as opposed to the Toyota system Mazda currently uses in the North American CX-50.

Mazda’s new Skyactiv-Z engine under development is likely to be incorporated into the hybrid system, though Mazda CEO Masahiro Moro said last year the high-efficiency hybrid system developed in-house will aim to have a point of difference from the Toyota system the brand has used previously.
“We have been using Toyota’s hybrid system, and that’s an excellent system,” said Moro-san in 2024.
“So to have a unique difference is the basic concept that we have. In our case, in the engine and the electric motor balance, we will mainly focus on a high-efficiency engine.”
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It's expected the new CX-5 will be revealed this year, and more details will be forthcoming at that time.