Mazda, a tiny Japanese automaker by today's measurements, keeps a loyal fan base of customers thanks to genius moves like the decision to launch an affordable roadster or, more recently, to swarm the crossover SUV sector with as many entries as possible.
Back in 1989, Mazda reestablished two-door, two-seater convertibles as objects of desire and affordable fun rather than stuff that you could only buy when you're retired and (extremely) wealthy. Now, more recently, after apparently missing the chance to set up their iconic rotary engines as the go-to EV range extender powertrain choice, they are left with the growing crossover SUV narrative. For example, they're covering with their CX series almost every natural number – from CX-3 and CX-30 to the big and posh CX-90.
However, their best-selling nameplate remains the CX-5 compact crossover SUV – the successor to the Tribute series. It was revealed just a little over a decade ago, and it conquered the brand's sales charts without looking back throughout just two generations. The current one, introduced in late 2016 for the 2017 model year, has already gone through the classic mid-cycle refresh procedure for the 2022 model year.
As such, obviously, everyone – from fans to specialists and the imaginative realm of digital car content creators – is expecting the Japanese carmaker to diligently prepare a successor. Speaking of the parallel universe of vehicular CGI, PoloTo is a distinctively named automotive news video channel on YouTube - and they also share visions of new models created with assistance from AI. On this occasion, the resident pixel master decided to see us through the unofficial redesign of Mazda's best-selling model.
If you like streamlined looks, then this hypothetical presentation is the right kind of digital sugar for you – especially if we consider the classic front three-quarters POV. From the rear, the CGI expert didn't jump to extreme conclusions, though, and the taillight treatment clearly shows this is a modern Mazda we are looking at. However, maybe that's not enough for your virtual cravings.
No worries, as the good folks over at the AutomagzPro channel on YouTube have also prepared their unofficial vision of the upcoming next-generation Mazda CX-5, and theirs is a lot more conceptual. Alas, with stuff like suicide doors and a racked, swept design, it's hard to believe that Mazda would ever adopt such styling for its CUV cash cow – so do take all these renderings with a healthy dose of salt as nothing is official just yet from the Japanese company.
As for the potential technical specifications, we sure hope that Mazda will approve a potential request from the engineering team to move the next CX-5 to the Large Product Group rear- and all-wheel drive platform with longitudinal engines – allowing it to gain a set of elegant straight-six engines in the process. Or are we just dreaming too much?
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
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