No 2026 Mazda CX-5 Hybrid hurting brands sales overseas, as Toyota RAV4 rival won't arrive until 2028: report

Mazda’s slow roll out of its long-awaited hybrid technology is hurting its CX-5 sales, according to reports.

The Japanese giant launched the CX-5, its biggest selling model in two of its largest markets - the US and Australia, this year.

Sales have not lived up to the hype so far, with the SUV launching with just petrol power and the hybrid alternative not arriving until late 2027 in the US and likely 2028 in Australia.

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Sales falling

In the US, sales of the CX-5 have dipped 23 per cent since the model went on sale, according to Nikkei Asia.

Mazda US is blaming insufficient stock for the sales blip, but sales of the similar-sized hybrid CX-50 — which uses Toyota's hybrid tech — have skyrocketed during the same period, according to reports.

July was the first full month of sales of the new CX-5 in Australia, with sales flat compared to the same month in 2025.

This might also be the result of stock not flowing freely just yet, but buyers could also be running to snatch up hybrid and plug-in hybrid alternatives.

Sales of hybrid SUVs are up about 13 per cent this year, and plug-in hybrids have jumped almost 200 per cent.

Petrol SUV registrations have shed a quarter of sales compared to 2025… read into that what you will.

Mazda going it alone

Mazda has always been open about the timing of its new hybrid technology and decided against installing someone else’s petrol-electric set-up in favour of developing its own in-house unit for the CX-5.

At the 2025 Tokyo motor show, Mazda’s Managing Executive Officer in charge of Vehicle Development, Product Development, Design and Cost Innovation Naohito Saga said there were no technical issues developing the new hybrid tech but the delay was due to regulatory reasons both within Mazda and global markets.

“We need a certain period of development timing, that is why,” said Saga through a translator.

“Basically CX-5 will be introduced in Europe and US, so those stringent [emissions] regulations we need to comply with."

Mazda is also aiming to make the new CX-5 Hybrid sweeter to drive than any Toyota.

“[It will have] Different characteristics [from Toyota’s hybrid]. Because what we aim for is the Mazda driving feeling, which is the good feeling when you drive. That is what we are aiming for, so it will be different,” said Saga.

When the hybrid does arrive it should be the pick of the litter, with performance to surpass the now defunct turbocharged 2.5-litre petrol engine of the previous generation.

Mazda Australia won’t just offer the hybrid in the priciest versions, but will have a broad offering across its grades, according to local boss Vinesh Bhindi.