---
title: "Next Mazda CX-5 Could Get a Mild-Hybrid Straight-Six"
description: "And since it'll ride on Mazda's new large vehicle platform, it might also have rear-wheel drive."
date: "2021-07-12"
modified: "2021-07-14"
authors:
  - name: "James Gilboy"
    job_title: "Contributing Writer"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/james-gilboy"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/41498/next-mazda-cx-5-could-get-a-mild-hybrid-straight-six"
categories:
  - "Car Tech"
  - "Electric Vehicles"
  - "Mazda News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "compact"
  - "CX-5"
  - "hybrid"
  - "mazda"
  - "suv/crossover"
---

# Next Mazda CX-5 Could Get a Mild-Hybrid Straight-Six

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2021/07/2021-CX-5_10-1.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Becoming the purveyor of premium automobiles Mazda aspires to be takes meeting the expectations of the market and calls for larger, better-built, more comfortable vehicles. These, in turn, require bigger, smoother engines, which for Mazda's CX-5 compact crossover means a pair of inline-sixes—one gas and one diesel.

***Update: July 14, 12:17 p.m. ET:*** *A Mazda spokesperson told* The Drive *that Bhindi's description of the next-gen CX-5's platform and drivetrain is "not correct," adding: "Mazda will announce future vehicles for its all-new large platform at a later date."*

![message-editor%2F1626107180215-2021-cx-5\_08-1.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1626107180215-2021-cx-5_08-1.jpg>)
*2021 Mazda CX-5, *Mazda**

Mazda Australia's Managing Director Vinesh Bhindi noted the six-cylinder switch in a discussion with [*Car Sales*](<https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/next-mazda-cx-5-to-debut-new-platform-and-straight-sixes-130891/>). He suggested that the redesigned CX-5—reportedly coming next year—may be among the first to receive the straight-six iteration of [Mazda's marvelous Skyactiv-X engine](<https://www.thedrive.com/watch-this/15471/this-video-shows-exactly-how-mazdas-revolutionary-new-skyactiv-x-engine-works>).

"Mazda continues to invest in high-efficiency combustion engines, with Skyactiv-X, and the new generation straight-six engine family that will power our new-generation large-platform products, which is CX-5 and above," Bhindi told the publication.

Skyactiv-X, for those in need of a refresh, is Mazda's name for a gasoline engine that uses spark-assisted compression ignition. Currently built only as a four-cylinder with a nifty supercharger that Mazda calls an "air supply system," Skyactiv-X in six-cylinder form will reportedly integrate a 48-volt mild hybrid system for a total output of 282 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque in the new CX-5. A 3.3-liter straight-six diesel, probably turbocharged, will reportedly be available with the same horsepower but 443 pound-feet of torque. [Whether Mazda can get it Americas-certified before the sun explodes](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/36997/the-mazda6-diesel-is-finally-certified-for-america-just-in-time-for-the-end-of-production-in-europe>) remains to be seen.

https://youtube.com/embed/yNSxow3W7ek

[Mazda's new large vehicle architecture](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/41160/this-is-mazdas-new-straight-six-rwd-platform>) that these engines will occupy is, by default, a rear-drive one, though it's capable of all-wheel-drive too. The latter's all but a certainty for the CX-5 crossover, though the slightly thriftier (not to mention driftier) former may remain an option. And while it'll be plenty porky as a CUV, it should still handle respectably with double-wishbone suspension.

Transmission options for the next Mazda CX-5 have not been specified, though they might include the eight-speed automatic for which Mazda filed a patent in early 2020, as [*Autoblog*](<https://www.autoblog.com/2020/02/04/mazda-files-powertrain-patents/>) noted. Just don't hold your breath for a manual—the CX-5 is, after all, a family car.

*Got a tip or question for the author? You can reach them here: james@thedrive.com*

## Author
James is a former staff writer for The Drive. He has changed the conversation around electrification, debunked misinformation online, and become a prominent hunter of what he calls "automotive cryptids."

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/jamesgilboy>)