2017 Mazda CX-5 Diesel Confirmed - 310 Lb-ft of Torque in an Equinox Fighter Not Named TDI

Chevrolet won’t be the only automaker attempting to woo former Volkswagen TDI owners with a diesel-powered compact crossover. Mazda North America confirmed this afternoon the soon-coming availability of a 2.2-liter turbocharged diesel four-cylinder in the thoroughly refreshed 2017 Mazda CX-5.

Thought to be a sure bet before major setbacks seemed to become insurmountable impediments, we reported earlier this week that the reveal of a new CX-5 would include a diesel engine. Then, in press releases from both Mazda USA and Mazda Canada last night, the 2.2-liter Skyactiv-D was included in the list of otherwise carryover powertrains offered.

Today, at a press conference not 24 hours after a design-oriented reveal of the 2017 CX-5, Mazda made it clear. Consider it confirmed, validated, and verified. Mazda’s best-selling model is about to gain 68 percent more torque.

Mazda’s executive vice president, Akira Marumoto, touting 24-percent global sales growth over the last four years and the CX-5 as a vehicle responsible for one-quarter of the brand’s global volume, eventually homed in a very market-specific message.

“As part of the full model change for the CX-5, I’m also delighted to say Mazda will introduce a diesel engine option to the North American market,” Marumoto announced, who surely did not accidentally call the 2.2 Skyactiv-D a “clean diesel.”

Calling this a tough time to launch a diesel, Mazda nevertheless believes there is enough demand to support a diesel-powered CX-5 beginning in the second-half of 2017.

The outgoing CX-5’s 2.2-liter four-cylinder diesel offered in many global markets produces 173 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Compared with the 2.5-liter gas-powered inline-four currently topping the North American range, that’s a 12-horsepower drop and a 125 lb-ft increase in torque. Consumption, based on comparisons between the 2.5 Skyactiv-G and 2.2 Skyactiv-D, should decrease by more than 20 percent, suggesting combined EPA fuel economy of 34-36 miles per gallon.

While Volkswagen’s TDI-powered diesel cars formed a small slice of the overall automotive industry pie in the U.S., the market for such affordable diesel-powered cars was long since secured by Volkswagen. Because of Volkswagen’s now 14-month-old diesel emissions scandal and the consequent removal of TDIs from Volkswagen lots, rival automakers are stepping into the small, abandoned diesel space in search of a unique consumer subset.

Except now, without Volkswagen’s dominating presence, these automakers don’t have to fight an uphill battle against the one automaker that had a loyal following.

Whether Mazda will take diesel a step further by offering the 2.2-liter Skyactiv-D in the Mazda 6 midsize sedan (or any other North American-market Mazda) is currently on the list of TTAC’s known unknowns. The Mazda CX-5 generates more than double the volume achieved by the Mazda 6 in the United States.

Timothy Cain is the founder of GoodCarBadCar.net, which obsesses over the free and frequent publication of U.S. and Canadian auto sales figures. Follow on Twitter @goodcarbadcar and on Facebook.