Can It Be? Mazda's Long-awaited CX-5 Diesel Gets California Green Light

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

We’ve been talking about the Mazda CX-5 diesel for a long time, and with good reason. It’s been a long time coming. Originally promised for a U.S. introduction in the second half of 2017, a quick scan of of Mazda’s consumer website reveals no mention of a popular compact crossover with a 2.2-liter Skyactiv-D four-cylinder under the hood.

This could soon change. The California Air Resources Board has certified the engine for sale in that ecologically sensitive state, making a similar thumbs up from the Environmental Protection Agency a near certainty.

The news, which should provide much-needed hope and reassurance for lovers of Kodo-bodied diesels, comes by way of Green Car Reports. A reader provided a copy of the engine’s April 13th certification document, which gives Mazda the ability to start selling it in the Golden State.

More likely, though, the automaker wants a nationwide launch, in which case it first needs to get the green light from the EPA. That certification process has reportedly not yet begun, and Mazda isn’t able to provide an educated guess on when we’ll finally get our hands on what promises to be a very fuel efficient crossover. As an automaker with no hybrid or electric vehicles, the diesel’s promised “hybrid-like” fuel economy would go a long way towards satisfying environmental regulators.

So far, there’s no EPA fuel economy rating for the CX-5 diesel.

Mazda, as you know, loves the internal combustion engine. The brand’s next step in meeting corporate average fuel economy targets involves the variable compression Skyactiv-X engine, appears next year in the new Mazda 3.

Mazda seemed pretty bullish on the diesel’s U.S. future (at least, they did a year ago), speculating that 10 percent of CX-5 sales could come from the Skyactiv-D model. A tall order, for sure. The CX-5 is by far the brand’s best-selling U.S. model, moving some 16,138 units in March. That tally represents a 90.5 percent year-over-year sales increase, and volume over the first three months of 2018 show a 75.7 percent uptick over the same period last year.

Suffice it to say, the CX-5 is Mazda’s meal ticket. It remains to be seen whether the addition of an oil burner makes the model even more appetizing to buyers.

[Image: Mazda]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • Rcx141 Rcx141 on Apr 25, 2018

    Why on earth do Americans want diesels? In the UK they were foisted on drivers by a non-driving Chancellor of the Exchequer for political reasons. Although they get slightly better gas mileage they are no use for lots of short runs from cold which tends to clog up the super complicated emissions equipment, which has a nasty habit of failing completely after a few years. They have been a disaster. Now the UK is moving away from them - many cities will ban all but the very latest models - so as a final kick in the teeth to consumers, used values are now plunging.

    • Kenn Kenn on Apr 25, 2018

      "Why on earth do Americans want diesels?" Maybe because such a large percentage of Americans' beliefs are based on ignorance of what's happening around the rest of the planet.

  • FormerFF FormerFF on Apr 25, 2018

    Thank goodness. I'm sure the 43 people who were waiting to buy a diesel powered compact CUV from a niche manufacturer will be so relieved.

  • ToolGuy This might be a good option for my spouse when it becomes available -- thought about reserving one but the $500 deposit is a little too serious. Oh sorry, that was the Volvo EX30, not the Mustang. Is Volvo part of Ford? Is the Mustang an EV? I'm so confused.
  • Mikey My late wife loved Mustangs ..We alway rented one while travelling . GM blood vetoed me purchasing one . 3 years after retirement bought an 08 rag top, followed by a 15 EB Hard top, In 18 i bought a low low mileage 05 GT rag with a stick.. The car had not been properly stored. That led to rodent issues !! Electrical nightmare. Lots of bucks !! The stick wasn't kind to my aging knees.. The 05 went to a long term dedicated Mustang guy. He loves it .. Today my garage tenant is a sweet 19 Camaro RS rag 6yl Auto. I just might take it out of hibernation this weekend. The Mustang will always hold a place in my heart.. Kudos to Ford for keeping it alive . I refuse to refer to the fake one by that storied name .
  • Ajla On the Mach-E, I still don't like it but my understanding is that it helps allow Ford to continue offering a V8 in the Mustang and F-150. Considering Dodge and Ram jumped off a cliff into 6-cylinder land there's probably some credibility to that story.
  • Ajla If I was Ford I would just troll Stellantis at all times.
  • Ronin It's one thing to stay tried and true to loyal past customers; you'll ensure a stream of revenue from your installed base- maybe every several years or so.It's another to attract net-new customers, who are dazzled by so many other attractive offerings that have more cargo capacity than that high-floored 4-Runner bed, and are not so scrunched in scrunchy front seats.Like with the FJ Cruiser: don't bother to update it, thereby saving money while explaining customers like it that way, all the way into oblivion. Not recognizing some customers like to actually have right rear visibility in their SUVs.
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