The third-generation Mazda CX-5 will arrive in Malaysia in the third quarter of 2026. This was revealed during a Q&A session following today’s launch of the new Mazda 3 1.5L High Plus and facelifted BT-50.
“The new CX-5 will probably be in by the third quarter of next year in CBU form and we will probably do industrial activities after that, maybe about 12-16 months,” said Bermaz Auto executive chairman Tan Sri Ben Yeoh. The “industrial activities” refer to local assembly (CKD), with the indicated CKD timeline reflective of a prior market insight report by Maybank Investment Bank.
Interestingly, Yeoh stated that the current CX-5 sold here, which is in its second generation and locally assembled at the Inokom plant in Kulim, Kedah, will continue to be sold alongside its successor, albeit with some changes.
As he explained, the second-generation CX-5 will, in the future, only be offered with a 2.0 litre engine, with the 2.5 litre options set to be progressively scaled down (and presumably discontinued). He added that the newer CX-5 will only be offered with a 2.5 litre engine, which is the only option announced when the model made its global debut in July this year.
Said engine is dubbed the e-Skyactiv G, a naturally-aspirated inline-four petrol unit that serves up 141 PS and 238 Nm of torque. It is augmented by a 24-volt mild hybrid system, with drive sent to the front wheels via a six-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic transmission.
From what we gathered, if you want the latest iteration of the CX-5, it will arrive as a CBU model first before local assembly starts later on, and you can only have it with a 2.5 litre engine. If that doesn’t suit you, you can opt for the older model that only comes with a 2.0 litre engine. Your thoughts on this?
GALLERY: 2026 Mazda CX-5 at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show
GALLERY: 2026 Mazda CX-5
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But the 2.0L will still have more power than the 2.5L?
With China miles ahead from you, yet sounding arrogant ? Wake up la Bermaz . Otherwise , your third gen CX5 will sit at the stock yard waiting to be scraped.
1. No A/C knobs & switches are really a turn off.
2. The more expensive 2.5L road tax would make jt less attractive compared to the CRV, which now has better handling dynamics than before.
In addition to the statement above, if demand for the new 2026 CX-5 2.5l is poor, Bermaz will pull out the 2026 model and revert back to selling the 2025 facelift and 2014 CX-5 model.
Again another dumb business decision by Bermaz, no wonder Mazda sales plummeting. Still selling older gen cars alongside new ones and still cost so much.
Might as well wait for Bermaz to pull the plug on this CKD due poor current sales. Delusional man. Chery group gonna completely take over their market
IF CX5 failed, then bring in CX50 for accessment?
Very slow response from Bermaz. Without CX-60 test drive unit, I have already bought other model over this CX-60. I am not those idxxx, can just buy wthout seeing the car.
Be fair to Mazda. You’re judging Chinese brands vs brands like Mazda who tries to get everything right. The chinese doesn’t focus on ride and handling, even more less-known is that the hardware for ADAS uses sub-par wiring, badly QC’d sensors that will act up after several years. Stop focusing on the obvious, study what’s underneath every car and you’ll find that Mazdas are superior in engineering and longevity. Even the steel strength is superior in the event of a crash.