Mazda Philippines has launched the all-new 2027 Mazda CX-5, bringing the third generation of one of the brand’s most important models into the local market. The new CX-5 arrives first in 2.5L AWD HEV Premium Plus form at ₱2,495,000, with a front-wheel-drive HEV variant expected to follow in 2027.
The CX-5 carries plenty of weight for Mazda. It is the company’s current global best-seller, with cumulative sales already passing five million units, and the outgoing second-generation model had been around since 2016.
For Philippine buyers, the third-generation model brings more interior space, a new electrified powertrain and a noticeably different approach to how drivers interact with the cabin. The exterior remains recognizably CX-5, but Mazda has made much bigger changes underneath the familiar shape and inside the vehicle.
More room without abandoning the CX-5 shape
The new CX-5 measures 4,690 mm long and 1,860 mm wide, with a wheelbase stretching to 2,815 mm. Mazda says the longer body and wheelbase translate into 64 mm more rear knee clearance and 29 mm more rear headroom, while the rear door opening has also been widened to make getting in and out easier.
The added space addresses an area where previous CX-5 generations were not always the strongest against similarly sized family crossovers. Mazda is also claiming best-in-class second-row legroom, while the cargo area gets additional depth and a lower loading height for easier everyday use.
Styling remains evolutionary rather than a complete visual departure. The new front end gets slimmer lighting and a reworked version of Mazda’s familiar grille treatment, while the rear adopts a wider stance and Mazda lettering across the tailgate instead of the traditional emblem. International coverage from AutoIndustriya and Visor has pointed out how closely the overall silhouette still resembles the previous model, despite this being a full generation change.
Mazda calls it an HEV, but the system is relatively light
The Philippine CX-5 uses a 2.5-liter e-Skyactiv-G four-cylinder engine paired with Mazda’s electrified system, producing 181 PS and 242 Nm, with power going through a recalibrated six-speed automatic transmission. The initial Premium Plus variant also gets i-Activ AWD, keeping all-wheel drive as part of the top-spec CX-5 formula.
The “HEV” badge needs a bit of context. Department of Energy filings previously reported by CarGuide.PH show a 0.22-kWh battery and an electric motor rated at around 4.8 kW or 6.5 PS, which makes this a much lighter form of hybrid assistance than the systems used in many Toyota, Honda or GAC full hybrids.
That does not make the system irrelevant, but buyers should not expect the same kind of electric-only operation associated with stronger hybrid setups. Mazda says the electrification is intended to improve efficiency, smooth out acceleration and deceleration, and make engine restarts less intrusive rather than dramatically changing the character of the CX-5.
The brand has already said a more advanced Skyactiv-Z-based hybrid system is planned for the CX-5 in 2027 globally, so this e-Skyactiv-G setup appears to serve as the initial electrified powertrain for the new generation. Mazda has not yet announced whether that future system will also reach the Philippine market.
The biggest change may be inside
Previous Mazda interiors were known for their physical controls and the rotary Commander knob placed on the center console. The new CX-5 moves away from that philosophy, with the Philippine Premium Plus using a 15.6-inch central touchscreen that also handles functions such as climate control.
That change has already generated debate among enthusiasts overseas because Mazda had spent years arguing that physical controls could reduce distraction while driving. CarGuide.PH reported Mazda’s explanation that the company now wants the interface to feel more familiar to people accustomed to smartphones, including common gestures such as swiping and pinch-to-zoom.
Other equipment on the Philippine Premium Plus includes a 10.25-inch digital instrument display, windshield head-up display, 360-degree camera, Bose 12-speaker audio system, ventilated front seats, panoramic sunroof and seven-color ambient lighting. Mazda has also expanded the i-Activsense safety package with features that include Mazda Radar Cruise Control, Cruising and Traffic Support, Smart Brake Support, Lane Change Assist and Driver Monitoring.
At ₱2.495 million, the new CX-5 enters a much more crowded and expensive part of the crossover market than its predecessors did. Mazda is betting that buyers will see value in the combination of added space, AWD, an electrified powertrain and a more premium cabin, although the pricing also puts the CX-5 within reach of larger hybrids and several electrified alternatives from both established and newer brands.
For now, Philippine buyers get the 2.5L AWD HEV Premium Plus at ₱2,495,000, with the more affordable front-wheel-drive HEV variant expected to join the lineup in 2027.