2022 Mazda CX-5 facelift: Australian details revealed early

Specification details and pricing estimates for the facelifted 2022 Mazda CX-5 have surfaced online, ahead of its arrival in Australian showrooms early in the first quarter of 2022 (January or February).

Images of a leaked Mazda dealer bulletin published online reveal six variants will be offered as part of the updated CX-5 line-up, with the current, high-specification GT axed – leaving only the GT SP – and a new mid-spec Touring Active grade added (top of story).

Prices are yet to be confirmed, however dealers have reportedly indicated increases of between $1000 and $2000 to customers – pushing the range-topping Akera within a few hundred dollars of the $60,000 drive-away mark.

The bulletin indicates the entire model range will benefit from a range of new features, including a head-up display (previously limited to the Touring), 7.0-inch digital instrument display (last exclusive to the Akera), full LED headlights and tail-lights, a Mi-Drive mode selector switch on petrol all-wheel-drive models (with Sport and Off-Road modes), and a new 'configurable rear cargo area board'.

That's in addition to the roster of updates that make up the facelift, including a restyled front end with new headlights (with fog lights now built in), new tail-lights and wheel designs, reshaped seats for improved comfort, a new Zircon Sand Metallic colour (replacing Titanium Flash Mica), and improvements to steering, suspension, noise and vibration levels.

The current model's range of engines will carry over – comprising 115kW/200Nm 2.0-litre petrol, 140kW/252Nm 2.5-litre petrol, 170kW/420Nm 2.5-litre turbo-petrol and 140kW/450Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engines – though Maxx Sport buyers will now be able to pair the 2.5-litre non-turbo petrol engine with front-wheel drive, replacing the current 2.0-litre, front-wheel-drive configuration.

There's no mention of the axing of the base six-speed manual transmission, suggesting it will stick around; and the GT SP and Akera appear to remain the only variants with which the turbo-petrol engine can be optioned.

According to the bulletin, the Maxx Sport will offer traffic sign recognition for the first time, with all models from the Touring upwards adding wireless smartphone charging and a reversible boot floor board.

The 10.25-inch infotainment screen introduced for 2022 appears to continue as an exclusive item to GT (now GT SP) and Akera variants, with the Maxx, Maxx Sport, Touring and Touring Active offering the older 8.0-inch screen.

A new Touring Active variant has been added above the Touring, adding a unique body kit with silver front, side and rear garnishes, and lime green accents on the front grille, interior contrast stitching, and air vent surrounds. There's no word on what material trims the seats, though the current 2021 CX-5 Touring features a mix of synthetic leather and suede.

Gone is the GT variant, its place now filled by a better-equipped GT SP grade, which adds (for 2022) a hands-free electric tailgate, black leather seat upholstery (replacing synthetic leather and suede), LED interior room and map lights, black headlining, larger exhaust tips, and Mazda's traffic-jam Cruising & Traffic Support system.

As per the outgoing model, the new GT SP differentiates itself from lesser grades through gloss black wheel arch and body cladding, along with expected carry-over items including red contrast stitching, black 19-inch wheels and black mirror caps.

Sitting atop the range is the Akera, which gains features for 2022 including upgraded adaptive LED headlights (with 20 light segments, up from 11) and body-coloured wheel arch and lower body cladding – in addition to the new equipment on lower grades.

For a full list of standard equipment on the new Mazda CX-5 – combining the new features in the leaked dealer bulletin and the standard features of today's car, with new features in bold – scroll down to the bottom of this story.

Stay tuned to Drive for the latest updates on the 2022 Mazda CX-5 facelift, as its launch early in the first quarter of 2022 (January or February) approaches.