New CX-5 will still offer ‘value’ for customers, but Mazda Australia is a long way away from locking in price.
Family Cars
Mazda Australia says its third-generation CX-5 will provide ‘value’ to customers and be competitively pitched against other family SUVs.
However, the Japanese brand has admitted confirmation of pricing will be one of the last things to lock in place, as it works on specification and logistics over the next 12 months in the lead up to the new CX-5’s launch.
Regardless, Mazda Australia boss Vinesh Bhindi told Drive the 2026 CX-5 will likely move up in price with the new generation, given it offers more technology and space, but is still expected to resonate with value-conscious buyers.
“We as a brand always focus on it being competitive and the right value for our customers,” Bhindi said.
“So they'll override all of the other conversations.
“But of course, there's more technology, there's likely to be more in the car. And it also depends on how we specify it, and of course, electrified means it will have more in it for the customer, but we still have to demonstrate value.”
The new CX-5 will launch in the second half of next year, but with the entry-level 2.0-litre engine discontinued, the point of entry is likely to increase by a noticeable margin.
For reference, the current CX-5 kicks off from $36,740 before on-road costs, while the most affordable 2.5-litre version – an engine that will carry over to the new-generation model, albeit with a drop of 8kW/10Nm to 132kW/242Nm due to new emissions rules – starts at $40,460.
The latter – Australia’s top-selling SUV, having taken the crown from the CX-5 – will also be updated next year with a new-generation model that is also expected to move pricing upward.
However, the new hybrid version of the CX-5, due in 2027, is likely to push the Mazda family SUV into new pricing territory as the flagship engine, replacing the 2.5-litre turbo-petrol that kicks off from $53,460.
Bhindi said various factors could influence the final price of the CX-5, which is why it will not be announced until much closer to its on-sale date.
“Pricing, in any product launch, is the last piece of the puzzle, and it's kept at the last minute for different reasons,” Bhindi said.
“It could be currency, it could be what, where NVES [emissions rules] goes, etc.”
Family Cars Guide
Tung Nguyen has been in the automotive journalism industry for over a decade, cutting his teeth at various publications before finding himself at Drive in 2024. With experience in news, feature, review, and advice writing, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung’s love of cars first started as a child watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, of course.
