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.”
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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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