- The Mazda CX-5 Hybrid will rival the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid with an efficient four-cylinder.
- Significant visual updates will be made to the new SUV, including new front and rear ends.
- The brand may also offer the compact model with its next-generation Skyactiv-Z engine.
Mazda is deep in the development of the next-generation CX-5, and shortly after spy shots surfaced of the SUV testing on public roads in Los Angeles, fresh details about its hybrid powertrain have come to light. Like many other similar models on the market, the upcoming CX-5 will feature a parallel hybrid system, allowing the wheels to be driven by the electric motor alone, a blend of electricity and the internal combustion engine, or solely by the ICE itself.
Patent images from Japan shed light on the new hybrid setup, which features a transverse four-cylinder engine under the hood. Positioned to the right of the engine is the electric motor while sitting on top of it is the control module. Sandwiched between the combustion engine and the electric motor is the transmission.
Spied: This Is The Next Generation 2026 Mazda CX-5
The filing uncovered by Best Car doesn’t offer specifics about the four-cylinder engine at the heart of the system, nor does it mention its exact displacement. However, it’s likely to be a 2.5-liter or smaller, positioning it to compete with the 2.5-liter engine and three-electric motor setup of the popular Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. Power and efficiency details remain undisclosed.
Significant updates to the CX-5 can’t come soon enough. The current model has been around for nine years and is starting to feel dated compared to some of its rivals. Its design has also started to feel a little stale, particularly when compared to Mazda’s latest raft of SUVs, including the CX-50, CX-60, CX-70, CX-80, and CX-90.
Mazda is working on more new things than just a self-charging hybrid powertrain for the new CX-5. According to reports from late 2024, Mazda will also launch the new SUV with its latest Skyactiv-Z engine. It’s tipped to replace the Skyactiv-G and Skyactiv-X units that Mazda currently uses and aims to offer improved thermal efficiency and better combustion.
From a visual standpoint, as seen in our latest spy shots, the 2026 Mazda CX-5 will retain its familiar proportions and silhouette but will feature thoroughly revised front and rear fascias. While we haven’t seen the interior yet, it’s expected to receive upgrades to match the modern standards of other Mazda models.
