Mazda CX-5 Diesel: Giving Yourself the Skyactiv-D

Mazda has certainly bent over backwards to get its new diesel to the U.S. market. Originally slated to premiere inside the 2017 CX-5, Mazda’s Skyactiv-D failed to receive approval from the Environmental Protection Agency. We’ve followed the story for a while, including when it concerned the Mazda 6, sometimes wondering why the company would even bother pursuing such an endeavor.

In addition to appeasing the EPA, Mazda also needed to satisfy thrifty diesel buyers. But it didn’t look like the 2.2-liter Skyactiv-D had the specs necessary to positively impact CX-5 sales. In development for a while and twice stalled by regulators, the end result of this engine overhaul is a compromised powerplant that’s even weaker than we feared, debuting miserably late with a premium price tag.

It’s hard not to feel a little sorry for Mazda. Back when the Skyactiv-D was in the early phases of development, Volkswagen was proving to the world that diesels could deliver… until that turned out to be a huge, unfixable lie.

The motor now makes 168 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque, with an EPA estimated 27 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. Combined economy is 28 mpg. It doesn’t really shine, not even when you compare it to the CX-5’s other engine options. While noticeably down on torque, the base powerplant still manages to make 181 hp and deliver nearly identical fuel economy when mated to an all-wheel drive system.

However, it’s the 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G that makes the new diesel look bad. With 250 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on tap, the turbocharged G is only outclassed by the diesel’s mpg ratings. But it’s not much of a victory. With an MSRP of $42,045, the Skyactiv-D will be exclusive to the CX-5 Signature AWD. For those of you who don’t browse automotive websites regularly, that’s the model’s most-expensive trim. Frankly, we doubt you’d ever manage to recoup your losses on the 2.2-liter diesel, even if you spend your days feathering the gas pedal like boy band hair.

You can already get the 2.5-liter with the same trim and more power for several thousand less, making Mazda’s decision to position the diesel as the priciest way to get into CX-5 a little perplexing. Our best guess is that the automaker already sees this as a failure and figures someone looking for a handsome diesel won’t mind paying a premium for the privilege.

Perhaps it’ll turn out better than it looks on paper. If you’re a fanatic for this particular fuel, Mazda says the order books are open now. But we’ll until after an extended test drive before reaching any hard conclusions about the company’s twice-delayed diesel.

[Images: Mazda; © Tim Healey/TTAC]