The updated CX-5, which was first shown globally in September 2021 (it subsequently arrived in the Philippines as the CX-5 Turbo in June 2022) arrives for the European market sporting a standard gasoline-hybrid engine for 2023.

The e-Skyactiv-G engine replaces the current Skyactiv-G. The “e” here means a 24-volt Mazda M Hybrid system which adds a Belt-driven Integrated Starter Generator or B-ISG. The B-ISG captures energy that’s normally wasted during decelerating and braking, and stores it in a small lithium-ion battery that powers the car’s electrical systems.

The system may not be able to propel the CX-5 on electrical power alone, but since it reduces the overall load on the engine and introduces electrical assist during acceleration, it offers 165 horsepower and 213 Nm of torque. The 2.0-liter e-Skyactiv-G also comes with cylinder deactivation for improved fuel efficiency on the highway.

This engine is also available in the Philippine-spec Mazda3 M Hybrid and CX-30 M Hybrid (read our impressions here).

For the European market, the 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G has been discontinued (they never offered the turbo), so those who want all-wheel drive would have to look exclusively to the 2.2-liter Skyactiv-D diesel.

Other changes for the 2023 CX-5 include the arrival of Rhodium White as an available exterior color (it replaces Snowflake White Pearl). Inside, it swaps the front USB ports from Type A to Type C. It also adds wireless Android Auto on top of the current wireless Apple CarPlay system.

Currently, the Mazda M Hybrid system-equipped CX-5 is only available for the European market. It will likely be rolled out in selected markets such as Japan too. But given that the Philippines sources its units from Malaysia it is unlikely for the local market to receive this new engine any time soon.