Mazda Finally Offers CX-5 With Diesel Engine in North America

Mazda is making good on a promise that it made back when the new CX-5 first debuted by finally offering its compact crossover with a diesel powertrain.

The Skyactiv-D motor will be offered on the Signature trim of the 2019 Mazda CX-5, meaning customers can choose between two uplevel engines: a 2.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine and this 2.2-liter twin-turbocharged diesel engine. This new engine makes just 168 horsepower, which is actually less than the base (non-turbocharged) 2.5-liter engine puts out, but the diesel has a significant amount of torque with 290 lb-ft. Peak horsepower comes in at 4,000 rpm, but the torque arrives at 2,000 rpm, meaning this CX-5 should feel like a blast off the line.

See Also: 2019 Mazda CX-5 Turbo Review

This is likely paired to a six-speed automatic, but customers can only get all-wheel-drive for the diesel-powered CX-5 Signature model. The fuel economy numbers for this powertrain have been shared, and they’re a decent bump over the other CX-5s with a city rating of 27 MPG and a highway rating of 30 MPG, leading to 28 MPG combined.

The diesel-powered CX-5 Signature AWD will set buyers back $41,000 and the car is offered in four colors: Black, White, and Mazda’s signature colors, Machine Grey and Soul Red.

Buyers looking for an alternative powertrain in this segment have only a few options, like the RAV4 Hybrid, which earns 40 MPG combined, an upgrade of 12 more MPGs than this CX-5, yet it only offers 219 horsepower. A fully loaded Toyota RAV4 Limited Hybrid AWD will set buyers back $39,615 (before destination) meaning customers have a tough decision to make when it comes to alternative fuels: lots of MPGs with a Toyota, or a ton of torque in the Mazda. We can’t wait to bring you that head-to-head in the near future.

ALSO SEE: Top 10 Best Diesel Cars You Can Buy in the US