Next Mazda CX-5 Reportedly Due 2025, Could Get New Name

Considering its old bones and the Mazda CX-50, which is longer than the CX-5 yet features a twist-beam rear end instead of a multilink setup, the CX-5 definitely needs a clean-sheet makeover.

According to WhichCar, the good folks at Mazda are developing a successor as we speak. Mazda Australia big kahuna Vinesh Bhindi confirmed its existence, but alas, Bhindi couldn't share any other details. The Australian publication expects the newcomer to reach dealer lots in 2025 with a different moniker. CX-40 sure makes plenty of sense, especially if you remember that the CX-5 is slotted between the Mazda3-twinned CX-30 and the CX-50.

If the Japanese automaker uses the front-biased platform of the CX-30 and CX-50, it would be truly surprising for the CX-5's successor to be named anything other than CX-40. Speaking of which, the United States Patent and Trademark Office currently lists Mazda CX-40 under serial number 79269324 and registration number 5974683. The aforementioned trademark also bears international registration number 1491952 since July 5, 2019.

The CX-5 nameplate, however, may not be abandoned. Mazda North America chief executive officer Tom Donnelly made it clear that an electric vehicle with an existing nameplate is coming to the United States in 2025. Could it be called CX-5? Unfortunately, Tom couldn't answer this question.

Available with 2.0- and 2.5-liter engines in Australia, the CX-5 sports the latter powerplant exclusively in the United States. All-wheel drive by default in this part of the world, the CX-5 carries a starting price of $29,300 (sans destination charge).

Rated at 187 horsepower and 185 pound-feet (251 Nm) of torque, said four-cylinder lump can be upgraded with a turbocharger. The force-fed spec is good for 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet (434 Nm). Regardless of engine, prospective customers are presented with a six-speed automatic gearbox.

The naturally aspirated Skyactiv-G 2.5 drinks fuel to the tune of 26 miles per gallon (9.0 liters per 100 kilometers) on the EPA's combined test cycle, whereas the turbocharged version is listed with 24 mpg (9.8 l/100 km). The larger and heavier CX-50, by comparison, offers either 27 or 25 miles per gallon (8.7 or 9.4 liters per 100 kilometers).

Originally exclusive to the US market, the CX-50 is exclusively left-hand drive. Manufactured in Alabama and China (by the Changan Mazda joint venture), the CX-50 isn't as popular as the more affordable CX-5. Last year, Mazda North American Operations moved 153,808 units of the CX-5 compared to a meager 44,595 examples of the CX-50.

The only step up from the CX-50 is the CX-70, which is best described as the CX-90 with five seats instead of a three-row setup. In the Old Continent, the two-row CX-60 will soon be joined by the CX-80 on the rear-biased Large Product Architecture.