- Mazda currently lacks rugged off-road-focused models.
- A company executive, Koichiro Yamaguchi, said Mazda was open to building a more off-road capable SUV if customer demand was strong.
- While nothing has been confirmed, Mazda is considering the idea, and the CX-5’s AWD system could serve as the foundation for a future ‘soft-roader’.
Mazda already has a strong lineup of SUVs, from the compact CX-30 to the three-row CX-90. One thing Japanese automakers don’t have? An off-roader—or rather, a soft-roader similar to some of its competitors. However, the company hasn’t completely ruled out the idea.
In an interview with Australia Car SalesKoichiro Yamaguchi, program manager for the 2026 CX-5, acknowledged that Mazda lacks a truly capable SUV. Still, he said the company is open to exploring the concept if there is enough customer interest.
“I like to monitor customer feedback very carefully,” Yamaguchi says. “We want to hear from customers and listen carefully to what the market is asking for.”
While it’s far from certain that a powerful CX-5 is in development, it does suggest that Mazda is at least considering the possibility. Yamaguchi also noted that the CX-5’s advanced all-wheel-drive system would be a great fit for a more off-road-oriented model.
Would a Mazda Soft-Roader Make Sense?
Photo by: Anthony Alaniz / Motor1
The rugged CX-5 will match today’s competition. Many compact SUVs in the US already offer outdoor trims—the Honda CR-V TrailSport, Nissan Rogue Rock Creek, and Toyota RAV4 Woodland, to name a few.
Of course, these models are not powerful off-roaders. Most come with extra cladding, a slight suspension lift, and a few off-road-focused accessories to enhance their looks and light-duty capabilities. Still, a similar variant for the CX-5 could broaden its appeal without straying too far from its strengths.
Not that Mazda needs help. The company sold more than 136,000 CX-5s in 2025, an increase of 1.7 percent over the previous year. Since its debut in 2011, more than 5 million units have been sold, making it Mazda’s most successful SUV to date.
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Source: Anthony Alaniz / Motor1
Motorcycle Pickup1: A rugged version of the CX-5 feels like a natural next step. It’s already a well-rounded SUV, and its styling touches and off-road capabilities could make it more appealing to a wider range of buyers.
