New Mazda CX-5 hybrid takes shape: New digital renders show bitter rival to the 2026 Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson hybrids, as it prepares to be revealed this year

One of the most hotly anticipated models of this year is just around the corner.

Mazda is preparing to take the covers off the next-generation CX-5 family SUV.

We still don’t know what it looks like yet, but the team from Japan's Best Car magazine has given us a glimpse of what it could look like in fresh digital renders.

The new CX-5’s design is more of an evolution than a revolution, with it sticking to the formula that has made it — and the brand’s whole range of SUVs — a hit in Australia and the US.

The front end has been tweaked with fresh headlights and grille. The overall shape is boxier than the current version, which brings it in line with the carmaker's premium range of  SUVs the CX-60, CX-70, CX-80 and CX-90.

The new-generation CX-5 is rumoured to be revealed later this year, with the Tokyo motor show in October a likely covers-off location.

This roughly lines up with comments made by Mazda's South African boss, Craig Roberts, earlier this year in an interview with business outlet Moneyweb.

“That new CX-5 will debut in the third quarter of this year and will probably hit our shores in the first quarter of 2026," said Roberts.

This generation will finally give the CX-5 an answer to the mighty Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. 

Mazda has been developing its own in-house hybrid set-up, dubbed SkyActiv-Z. It won’t find its way into the new CX-5 until 2027, though.

Best Car, which is known for its well-placed sources in the Japanese auto industry, claims the CX-5 will launch with mild-hybrid power instead.

Despite the coming hybrid version, Mazda has already fallen behind market leader Toyota. 

Toyota recently announced the next-gen RAV4, which is due in Australia before July 2026, will come with plug-in hybrid power as well as standard hybrid options. 

Mazda has given no indication a plug-in hybrid is on the way.

Mazda might be prepping an all electric version of the CX-5, though. 

In China it revealed the EZ-60 at the recent Shanghai auto show. The EZ-60 is rough the same size as the CX-5, and is built by Mazda’s Chinese partner Changan. 

This partnership has already spawned the electric Mazda6 replacement dubbed 6e in Europe.