Mazda CX-5 becomes Australia’s third-best selling car, months before new model arrives

The CX-5’s best January sales in four years – and a slip in Toyota RAV4 deliveries – helped Mazda’s top seller place ahead of all other new cars bar the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.

The Mazda CX-5 has capitalised on slow Toyota RAV4 sales to become Australia’s top-selling SUV in January 2026, behind only the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux as the third-best-selling new vehicle overall.

It is despite six months to go until the launch of a new-generation CX-5, due mid-year with a larger body and new technology, but less power and the deletion of the turbo engine.

Data published by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) reports 2289 examples of the CX-5 as sold last month, up 22.3 per cent on the same month last year.

It is far from a record result – a higher tally was reported as recently as June 2025 – but it is the SUV’s highest January sales since 2022, and returns it to its once-long-held position of the country’s top-selling SUV.

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Only the Ford Ranger (3403) and Toyota HiLux (2800) reported higher sales in January 2026, narrowly outselling the Chery Tiggo 4 (2234) to place the CX-5 as the third-best seller overall.

It was assisted by a 65.4 per cent drop in Toyota RAV4 deliveries, as stock of the current model runs low ahead of its successor’s arrival in April, dropping it to 10th position.

In contrast, Mazda Australia says it has stock of its family SUV in “a plethora of model grades and colours”, though it is not yet clear if production of the outgoing model has ended for the local market.

MORE: 2026 Mazda CX-5 priced overseas, indicating modest price rise for Australia

It is currently offering the entry-level G20 Maxx variant for $37,990 drive-away, an estimated saving of about $2000 to $3500, depending on the state or territory of registration, from its RRP of $36,740 before on-road costs.

The discount coincided with the base model accounting for 32 per cent of CX-5 sales last month – more than any other variant – up from 22 per cent across 2025, when it was the second-best seller behind the one-step-up Maxx Sport (27 per cent).

The popularity of the Maxx is important, as its 2.0-litre engine will be axed from the CX-5 range when the new model launches mid-2026 with a single 2.5-litre petrol engine less powerful than its counterpart in today’s model.

Also on the chopping block is the flagship 170kW/420Nm 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which is one of the more powerful offerings amongst its peers.

MORE: Mazda CX-5 hybrid could take years to outsell petrol version, brand believes

Mazda says it is not bothered about dropping base and flagship engines that together accounted for about 47 per cent of sales last month, or 37 per cent last year.

It is before considering that front-wheel drive will be skipped in the new CX-5’s launch line-up in Australia, a configuration that currently accounts for 50 to 60 per cent of sales – though many of those are on model grades not sold with the option of all-wheel drive.

In place of more power, the new CX-5 gains a larger footprint for improved passenger and boot space, dual interior displays with a choice of 12.9- and 15.6-inch touchscreens, and a fresh design.

Due in 2027 – at the earliest – is a hybrid variant to compete with the Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Tucson, using Mazda’s in-house technology.

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