Mazda rules out plug-in hybrid CX-5 as new CX-6e electric SUV arrives from $53,990

No plug-in hybrid for the CX-5

Mazda has ruled out a plug-in hybrid version of its new-generation CX-5, even as the medium SUV's chief rival, the Toyota RAV4, expands its own hybrid and PHEV range. Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi told CarsGuide there is no plan to develop a CX-5 PHEV or to transplant plug-in hardware from another SUV, because the CX-60 already provides that powertrain. The decision was reported by Taiwan's TVBS Car News, which attributed the comments to Bhindi's interview with the Australian outlet CarsGuide. ³

The strategy instead spreads electrification across three medium SUVs. According to the CarsGuide interview reported by TVBS, Bhindi said the petrol CX-5 will keep efficient internal-combustion power and later add a conventional hybrid, the CX-60 offers four powertrains spanning diesel, petrol, hybrid and plug-in, and the all-electric CX-6e serves buyers ready to go fully electric. He argued buyers can choose between the three on powertrain, price and size rather than Mazda concentrating every option in one nameplate. ³

Market data underpins the thinking. TVBS Car News cited US Energy Information Administration figures showing conventional hybrids at 16.3 per cent of the US new-car market in 2026 against just 1.4 per cent for PHEVs, and noted Bhindi's observation that Australian hybrid growth has plateaued while battery-electric vehicles are the trend worth watching. ³

A hybrid is coming, but not yet, and not from Toyota

The absence of any electrified option at launch is striking for Mazda's best-seller, especially against the RAV4, which Chasing Cars describes as now hybrid-only with a rated 4.5L/100km and a plug-in version imminent. The 2026 CX-5 instead launches with a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol and six-speed automatic, rated at 7.4L/100km, producing 132kW and 242Nm, with every new CX-5 all-wheel drive. ⁴

A hybrid is planned, but the timing is loose. Bhindi told Chasing Cars the CX-5 hybrid will make its global debut in 2027 with the US market first, and Australia will follow thereafter, which Chasing Cars notes could mean early 2028 or later here. He declined to confirm an Australian launch date, saying only that production allocations will come once Mazda headquarters releases the system globally, as reported by CarsGuide via TVBS. ⁴³

The system will be Mazda's own. CX-5 program manager Koichiro Yamaguchi confirmed to Chasing Cars that the hybrid adopts the in-development Skyactiv-Z engine and will not use a Toyota-style CVT, with the brand insisting the powertrain preserves its 'jinba ittai' driving philosophy ahead of outright efficiency. Bhindi would not be drawn on economy targets relative to the RAV4 Hybrid, Chasing Cars reports. ⁴

There is a price angle to the petrol-only start: Chasing Cars notes the CX-5 range opens at $39,990 before on-road costs for the Evolve grade, undercutting the entry RAV4 GX hybrid at $45,990 before on-road costs, which is front-wheel drive only. ⁴

CX-6e arrives as the electric flagbearer

Into that gap steps the CX-6e. Mazda Australia confirmed the all-new, all-electric crossover for the local line-up in 2026, following its global debut at the Brussels Motor Show on January 9, 2026, as the second model developed with Chongqing Changan Automobile after the 6e liftback. Managing director Vinesh Bhindi called the confirmation 'a monumental moment for Mazda Australia' and part of the brand's 'multi-solution approach', according to Mazda Australia's announcement, which cautioned that Australian specifications would be confirmed closer to launch. ¹

It is on sale now in two grades. Chasing Cars reports the GT opens at $53,990 before on-road costs with the Azami at $56,990; its first drive review lists drive-away pricing of $56,990 except in Western Australia. The GT undercuts the base Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7 and Zeekr 7X by $4910, $1000 and $3910 respectively on list price, according to CarExpert, and sits at effectively parity with the petrol CX-5 Akera at $54,990 before on-road costs, Chasing Cars notes. ⁵⁶⁸⁷

The hardware is shared across both grades. Mazda Australia's model page lists a 78kWh battery, up to 484km WLTP range on the GT, 190kW rear-wheel-drive output, and 194kW DC fast charging that takes about 15 minutes from 30 to 80 per cent under test conditions. CarExpert's specifications add a 7.9-second claimed 0-100km/h time, 1500kg braked towing, 11kW AC charging and a 2155kg kerb weight. ²⁷

Equipment is near-identical between grades. Chasing Cars' first drive lists the GT's 19-inch wheels, 26.5-inch touchscreen, head-up display, heated and ventilated power front seats, glass roof and 23-speaker audio, with the $3000-dearer Azami adding 21-inch wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport tyres, digital side mirrors and a digital rear-view mirror. A Warm Beige interior is the sole $1000 option, per CarExpert. ⁸⁷

Demand, pricing pressure and Mazda's sales hopes

Mazda is bullish on demand. The brand's model page says the CX-6e is available for pre-order now, and Chasing Cars reports the pre-order list has swelled beyond 2000 buyers — a figure TVBS Car News also cites, saying more than 2000 potential customers had expressed interest in the 2026 CX-6e. CarExpert adds that the first 1000 pre-order customers who put their name down for a GT each claimed a complimentary upgrade to the Azami within weeks, and that 56 per cent of pre-orders came from customers new to Mazda. ²⁵³⁶

Bhindi has framed the sales potential carefully. He told CarExpert the CX-6e 'potentially has the ability to grow to 1000 per month', which CarExpert notes would rank it fourth among Australia's best-selling EVs behind the Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7 and Geely EX5, while cautioning the figure depends on fuel prices and tax incentives. He told Chasing Cars at the launch that the CX-6e could become Mazda's number-one seller if those external factors persist. CarExpert separately reports Mazda sees potential for about 12,000 CX-6e sales a year. ⁶⁵⁷

Buyers are being sweetened with offers. Mazda Australia's site lists a $2000 cashback for eligible customers who purchase and take delivery of a new 6e or CX-6e through a novated lease between October 1 and December 31, 2026, which Chasing Cars also notes. Separately, Mazda Australia's one-day M-Day offer on October 17, 2026 covers new vehicles in stock with the first three scheduled services free, plus a $1000 deposit bonus with Mazda Finance on new and demo vehicles, subject to the listed conditions. The sharp pricing reflects its Chinese origin: Bhindi told Chasing Cars that Chinese government support for its industry is influencing the value package and Mazda is benefiting from it. ²⁵

The CX-6e marks a steep improvement on Mazda's first local EV, the MX-30 E35 Astina (2021-2023), which Chasing Cars points out listed at $66,560 with just 224km NEDC range. ⁵

Early verdicts: strong value, divisive interface

First drives are broadly positive on the fundamentals. Chasing Cars praises the ride, brake feel and composure, noting Mazda revised structural rigidity, bushings, spring rates, dampers, steering, software and the brake pedal compared with the related Deepal S07, calling the result 'more connected, composed and predictable than rivals such as the Sealion 7 or Xpeng G6'. CarExpert's quick drive similarly finds strong refinement, rear-biased balance and a compliant GT, though its Azami's 21-inch wheels feel unsettled at low speeds. Chasing Cars also flags sticky on-centre steering, and both outlets note a demanding driver-assistance alarm load. ⁸⁷

The interface divides reviewers. Chasing Cars criticises the 26.5-inch touchscreen's control of nearly everything, its underused passenger-side section, and the absence of a digital instrument display, concluding the nameplate 'needs time and attention to mature'. CarExpert calls the passenger display area 'largely wasted', notes the lack of conventional instrument dials in favour of a head-up display, and observes that owners coming from other Mazdas will face teething issues with the new system. ⁸⁷

Practical and ownership details round out the picture. Chasing Cars records a 363-litre boot to the cargo cover plus an 83-litre frunk, real-world consumption of 15.3kWh/100km in the GT and 16.7kWh/100km in the Azami, and servicing of $1860 over five years or 100,000km. Warranty is five years unlimited-kilometre with eight years for the battery and high-voltage electrics, per Chasing Cars. Neither the CX-6e nor reviewers claim an ANCAP result exists yet: both CarExpert and Chasing Cars note the SUV has not been independently crash-tested, though the related 6e sedan scored five stars in its 2025 Euro NCAP test. ⁸⁷