- Mazda hints at a rugged CX-5 variant if demand proves very strong.
- Upgrades like lifted suspension and AWD tweaks are being weighed.
- Forester Wilderness and Tucson XRT rival it, though CX-50 is similar.
Mazda’s new CX-5 is a great addition to the brand’s lineup. It’s comfortable, handles well, and is more spacious than one might believe. Evidently, what we recently tested might not be its ultimate form either. We knew a hybrid version was on the way. Now, something more rugged might also be in the works.
According to comments from a senior engineer, Mazda is watching customer feedback closely before deciding whether to add a tougher, more adventure-ready CX-5 to the lineup. The goal would be to compete with trims like the Subaru Forester Wilderness and Hyundai Tucson XRT, both of which lean into the outdoorsy aesthetic that’s become popular in the compact SUV segment.
More: Only $90 Separates The New CX-5 From The CX-50
Mazda CX-5 program manager Koichiro Yamaguchi stopped short of confirming the model, but he didn’t exactly shut the door either, telling Australian outlet Car Sales that the company is actively monitoring demand and asking customers what kind of capability they want from future versions of the SUV. “We don’t have such offerings currently,” Yamaguchi said. “I like to monitor the customer feedback really carefully,” he added.
That comment lands differently if you’re in the U.S., where the CX-50 already fills that rugged brief. It might sound like Mazda has overlooked it, but the reality is simpler. The company doesn’t sell the CX-50 in Australia. It was developed with American buyers in mind and has gained solid traction there. Bringing it to Australia would require a right-hand drive version, and Mazda has not committed to building one.
Notably, Aussies have already expressed interest in the CX-50. Back in 2024, Mazda’s Australian marketing director openly said, “It’s not available to us. If it was, would we be interested? Absolutely,” in an interview with CarExpert. At this stage, the simple solution probably isn’t re-engineering the CX-50 for RHD, though.
The new CX-5 is already set up for sale Down Under. Adding a small lift kit, some all-terrain tires, and maybe some rugged-looking body cladding would probably do the trick. After all, plenty of the hardware on the CX-5 is identical to that of the CX-50. The wrapping is just a bit different.
