Mazda CX-5 Diesel was introduced in 2019
It’s the most expensive version of the CX-5 lineup
It’s the only diesel-powered compact SUV on the market
Could Mazda already be pulling the plug on the CX-5 Diesel? A recent report suggests the 2020 Mazda CX-5 Diesel won’t happen and we can’t seem to find the model anywhere on Mazda Canada’s website or Mazda USA.
The initial report comes from Carsdirect, a US publication. There’s been nothing about Canada yet, so we will reach out to Mazda next week for comment. And again, nothing is confirmed.
It is odd, however, that the 2020 Mazda CX-5 has been out since the beginning of the year and we still haven’t heard much about the diesel. In 2019 Mazda CX-5 diesel models, the 2.2-litre SKYACTIV-D engine develops 168 horsepower and a healthy 290 pound-feet of torque, almost as much as the 2.5-litre turbo engine that makes 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque.
Both the turbo 2.5-litre and the SKYACTIV diesel engine were available on the 2019 Mazda CX-5, with the diesel requiring a steep premium over the turbocharged engine. That may explain why the model isn’t doing as well as Mazda hoped. On the other hand, it is the only diesel engine in its segment and the most affordable diesel SUV by a long shot.
Mazda recently told us they had a lot of Mercedes-Benz GLE diesel owners and other diesel fans with upscale models trade for a CX-5 diesel. On the other hand, the idea of a $50,000 Mazda CX-5 (in Canada) may be pushing it for most consumers, especially given how good and efficient and the other engines in the lineup are.
We will update you when we know more.