Next-gen Mazda CX-5 ‘pencilled in’ for SA; CX-80 nixed
The head of Mazda Southern Africa says the as-yet-unrevealed next-gen Mazda CX-5 has already been “pencilled in” for a local introduction in around April 2026…
The next-gen Mazda CX-5 has yet to be revealed, but the head of the Japanese firm’s local division says the upcoming new version of the family SUV has already been “pencilled in” for a local launch in about April 2026.
Craig Roberts, Managing Director at Mazda Southern Africa, confirmed the news to Cars.co.za during an interview at Naamsa’s South African Auto Week 2024 in Cape Town.
“Our next new introduction will be the launch of a new CX-5. That is currently pencilled in – and I use the term ‘pencilled in’ – for around about April 2026,” he told us.
Based on Roberts’ comments, we would speculate that the 3rd-generation CX-5 – which earlier reports suggested might not happen at all – will be revealed globally at some point in 2025, before hitting initial markets in the latter part of next year.
Other than the new CX-5, is there anything else on the cards for South Africa? Well, though the 3-row CX-80 was initially planned for the local market, Roberts suggested that was no longer the case.
“Mazda globally will be and has launched new product in the larger SUV [space]: CX-80, CX-90 and also CX-70 for the US [United States] market. Those vehicles are not slated for the South African market or various other right-hand-drive markets.