2019 Mazda CX-5 to get 2.5T in the US – report

Document filed with Californian emissions authority hints at a new mid-size SUV variant.

James Wong

01:0123 June 2018

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The CX-5 SUV could be the next member of the Mazda line-up to get the brand's 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, if new documents out of the US are anything to go by.

Autoevolution published a document (below) made to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) – the state's regulatory body for emissions and air quality – which apparently indicates the CX-5 will offer the 2.5-litre turbo as part of a 2019 model-year update.

Currently, Mazda offers the SkyActiv-G 2.5T motor in the larger CX-9 SUV and the 6 medium car. In both models, the four-cylinder unit generates 170kW of power and 420Nm of torque, the latter available from 2000rpm.

While it's already available with three powertrains in Australia (two petrols, one diesel), the US market only gets the 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated SkyActiv petrol engine, which makes 187hp (140kW) and 186lb-ft (252Nm), mated to six-speed automatic. Both front- and all-wheel drive are offered.

Mazda's US website confirms the 2.2-litre twin-turbo diesel is on the way to the North American market too, though exact timing is to be detailed.

Finally, the article says the 2019 CX-5 range will introduce a new 'Signature' trim grade, which gets luxurious appointments like nappa leather trim and real wood cabin inserts – similar to that seen in the updated Mazda 6 Atenza now available in Australia.

Australia

Considering Mazda launched the revised 2018 CX-5 range Down Under a month ago, it's unlikely we'll see the turbocharged engine here until sometime next year – and that's if autoevolution's report is even accurate in the first place.

However, it seems like a logical next step for the Japanese brand, which recently added the turbo powerplant to the Mazda 6 range and gave the CX-5's diesel some extra grunt, giving the top-selling SUV a more competitive package on paper compared to all-turbocharged rivals like the Ford Escape and Volkswagen Tiguan.

Stay tuned to CarAdvice for all the latest updates. Thanks to Darren for the tip!