Mazda rules out a CX-5 plug-in hybrid and points buyers to the CX-60 PHEV and CX-6e
Mazda Australia has confirmed the new-generation Mazda CX-5 will not get a plug-in hybrid. Managing director Vinesh Bhindi says there is no plan to develop one for the CX-5 or to borrow a plug-in system from another Mazda SUV, and buyers who want to plug in are being pointed to the CX-60 plug-in hybrid and the all-electric CX-6e.
A conventional Mazda-developed hybrid is still coming to the CX-5, but Australian timing has not been confirmed. This builds on our earlier report that Mazda Australia lists EVs while a CX-5 hybrid still has no launch date, and now makes clear the CX-5 will stop at a regular hybrid.
Three SUVs, three levels of electrification
Bhindi says Mazda is fortunate to have three products for buyers in this part of the market, split by powertrain, price and size. The CX-5 covers petrol and, later, hybrid buyers. The CX-60 offers a plug-in hybrid alongside petrol and six-cylinder mild-hybrid engines, and the CX-6e is the battery electric choice.
| Model | Size | Electrified option | Price before on-road costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| CX-5 | Medium SUV | 2.5-litre petrol now, Mazda hybrid expected later | Not announced for the hybrid |
| CX-60 P50e | Medium SUV | Plug-in hybrid, 2.5-litre petrol plus electric motor, AWD | From $56,640 |
| CX-6e | Medium SUV | Battery electric, 190kW rear motor, 78kWh battery | From $53,990 |
The CX-60 PHEV alternative
The CX-60 P50e plug-in hybrid starts at $56,640 before on-road costs in Pure grade and runs to $76,840 for the Azami SP and Azami Takumi. Mazda repriced its large SUV range in July so the plug-in hybrid now costs $5,000 more than the equivalent G40e petrol or D50e diesel grade. It is larger than the CX-5 and comes with all-wheel drive as standard. The plug-in system is also offered in the three-row CX-80.
The CX-6e electric alternative
The CX-6e is priced from $53,990 before on-road costs for the GT and $56,990 for the Azami, with the GT also advertised at $56,990 drive-away. It uses a 190kW and 290Nm rear motor and a 78kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, with up to 484km of WLTP range and a 30 to 80 per cent DC charge in as little as 15 minutes. Mazda says the CX-6e has attracted more than 2,000 expressions of interest. See how it compares with a key rival in our CX-6e versus Tesla Model Y comparison.
When is the CX-5 hybrid coming
Bhindi says Australia will get its allocation as soon as Mazda launches the new hybrid globally, but he would not confirm timing. The system pairs the upcoming Skyactiv-Z petrol engine with electric assistance, and Mazda says it is being tuned for driving feel rather than outright fuel economy. Local arrival is expected sometime between 2027 and early 2028, with pricing and specifications to be announced closer to launch.
What it means for buyers
The decision leaves Mazda without a direct answer to the Toyota RAV4, which is now sold as a hybrid and as a plug-in hybrid. If you want a medium SUV you can plug in, the CX-60 PHEV is the only Mazda option, while the CX-6e suits buyers ready to go fully electric. Whichever way you go, a plug-in only pays off if you charge it regularly, so think about where you will plug in before you choose.
