Price push: Why the cheaper 2026 Mazda CX-60 is brilliant news for Mazda CX-5 Hybrid shoppers

Mazda Australia's decision to introduce a new entry-level version of its CX-60 premium SUV should prove a boon for shoppers of the more mainstream CX-5, with the new model essentially creating a price ceiling the brand's Toyota RAV4 Hybrid rival will have to sit under.

The "more price-focused" CX-60 variant is expected to undercut the cheapest model in the current lineup, which is the $50,240 CX-60 Pure, with the new variant ditching the six-cylinder engine in favour of a 2.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol unit designed to create a new entry point for customers.

While Mazda is yet to confirm the price of the new variant, the company's local chief, Vinesh Bhindi, said the new model will kick off in the $40-$49k range.

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"Where we looked at where there market is, with cost of living...we thought it was the right place to launch this vehicle. And when I talk about the 2.5, four-cylinder, it will only start with a four in front, but it's a bit too early to determine where it's going to land," he said.

"Where we've identified the opportunity is there are some customers who are not prepared to jump into electrified powertrains today. They haven't found their comfort or their household budgets can't meet it.

"But they love the updates of the interior fit and finish, the materials, the design. And what our thinking is the 2.5 will give them that opportunity to have a latest and the greatest in terms of Kodo design...but they're happy to wait until electrification matures a little bit or comes within their reach."

Asked if the new CX-60 pricing was putting an upper ceiling on the price of the new CX-5, Mr Bhindi replied: "Well, CX5 will compete in the current medium SUV price zone in the marketplace."

The CX-60's arrival all but guarantees the new CX-5 will start in the low $40k- or possibly even the high $30k, bracket. For reference, the current model spans just under $38k drive-away (part of an EOFY runout) for the range-opening Maxx and $53,171 drive-away for the top-spec Akera.

It should be pointed out, though, that the current CX-5 is ICE only, and an ageing model, and so it's unlikely a new model, whether powered by ICE or hybrid tech, will be quite as cheap.

The Toyota RAV4, which is now all hybrid, starts at $46,737 drive-away in NSW, and climbs to $63,636 for the Edge.

But with the CX-60 now confirmed to start in the $40k bracket, there is real downward pressure on where the less-premium CX-5 can start. One important caveat is that we also don't know yet the full engine family for the new CX-5.

But all should be revealed soon.

"We'll showcase the car soon," Mr Bhindi said.