- Mazda currently lacks a rugged, off-road-focused model.
- A company executive, Koichiro Yamaguchi, said Mazda is open to building a more off-road-capable SUV if customer demand is strong.
- While nothing is confirmed, Mazda is considering the idea, and the CX-5’s AWD system could serve as a foundation for a future ‘soft-roader.’
Mazda already has a robust lineup of SUVs, from the compact CX-30 all the way up to the three-row CX-90. One thing the Japanese automaker doesn’t have? An off-roader—or more accurately, a soft-roader akin to some of its competitors. That said, the company isn’t ruling out the idea entirely.
In an interview with Australia’s CarSales, Koichiro Yamaguchi, program manager for the 2026 CX-5, acknowledged that Mazda lacks a truly rugged SUV. That said, he did say that the company is open to exploring the concept if there’s enough customer interest.
“I like to monitor customer feedback very carefully,” Yamaguchi said. “We want to hear from customers and listen closely to what the market is asking for.”
While that’s far from a confirmation that a rugged CX-5 is in development, it does show Mazda is at least considering the possibility. Yamaguchi also noted that the CX-5’s advanced all-wheel-drive system would be a perfect fit for a more off-road-oriented model.
Would A Mazda Soft-Roader Make Sense?
Photo by: Anthony Alaniz / Motor1
A ruggedized CX-5 would fit right in with today’s competition. A ton of compact SUVs in the US already offer outdoorsy trims—the Honda CR-V TrailSport, Nissan Rogue Rock Creek, and Toyota RAV4 Woodland, just to name a few.
These models aren’t hardcore off-roaders, of course. Most come with extra cladding, slight suspension lifts, and a few off-road-focused accessories to enhance their look and light-duty capability. Still, a similar variant for the CX-5 could broaden its appeal without straying far from its strengths.
Not that Mazda needs the help. The company sold more than 136,000 CX-5s in 2025, a 1.7 percent increase over the previous year. Since its debut in 2011, over 5 million units have been sold, making it Mazda’s most successful SUV to date.
33
Source: Anthony Alaniz / Motor1
Motor1’s Take: A rugged version of the CX-5 feels like a natural next step. It’s already a well-rounded SUV, and a touch of off-road styling and capability could make it even more attractive to a wider range of buyers.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motor1.com?
Take our 3 minute survey.
– The Motor1.com Team
