Mazda Australia won’t follow Europe in offering its 24V mild-hybrid system on its top-selling CX-5, despite increasing local demand for electrified offerings.
In Europe and the UK, all petrol versions of the CX-5 picked up Mazda’s M Hybrid technology, something we’ve seen across a number of model lines including the Mazda 3, CX-30 and MX-30 in Australia.
A spokesperson for Mazda’s local arm said: “The MHEV powertrain is European-focused and developed specifically for those markets”.
“It is not available for Australia, although we will continue to update our local engine offerings over time.”
Overseas model shown
While the 24V M Hybrid set-up has been criticised locally for bringing minimal fuel savings compared to a proper hybrid system à la Toyota, the electrified CX-5 claims to save 9g/km of CO2 emissions while offering minor reductions in fuel consumption. The 2.0L motor also scores cylinder deactivation tech over Australian models.
As a result, the e-Skyactiv G 2.0 FWD and e-Skyactiv G 2.5 AWD engine variants of the CX-5 in the UK match the fuel consumption quoted by local models but on the stricter WLTP cycle – 6.9L/100km for the former, and 7.4L/100km for the latter. Australia’s ADR fuel cycle is based on the older NEDC regime.
Both petrol drivetrains also quote slightly higher outputs than local versions of the CX-5, with the e-Skyactiv G 2.0 quoting outputs of 121kW/213Nm (+6kW/13Nm) and the e-Skyactiv G 2.5 offering 143kW/263Nm (+3kW/11Nm).
Mazda UK quotes 0-100 times of 10.2s for the e-Skyactiv G 2.0 FWD 6AT and 9.5s for the e-Skyactiv G 2.5 AWD 6AT.
The second-generation CX-5 is now nearing seven years of age, though it received a facelift in 2021.
Despite an increasing amount of rivals introducing varying levels of electrification in Australia – mild-hybrid, full hybrid and plug-in hybrid – Mazda has done without adding any form of electrified tech with the exception of idle start-stop, which turns the engine off when the vehicle is stationary to save fuel and reduce emissions.
Thus far in 2023 (to April 30), the CX-5 is a nose behind the Toyota RAV4 in the sales race – its rival quotes a 72 per cent hybrid sales mix – with 7949 CX-5 units registered year to date compared to the RAV4’s 8049 units.
Mazda will soon launch the “all-hybrid” CX-60 in the coming months to accompany the CX-5 at the premium end of the mid-size SUV segment, which offers 48V mild-hybrid six-cylinder petrol and diesel options, as well as a brand-first plug-in hybrid.
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