Mazda, an underdog, wants to maximize its punch in a very competitive marketplace with consumers still favoring SUVs. Moreover, the brand’s upcoming CX-7 gasoline-electric hybrid SUV could, in fact, just be the ticket. It is built alongside the new 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross in Alabama. The reborn CX-7 is going to augment Mazda’s SUV lineup that presently includes the CX-30, CX-5, and CX-9. The new SUV is going to leverage Toyota’s highly developed gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain tech. Moreover, Toyota will apply it to the Corolla Cross as well.
Mazda and The Importance of Pulling its Weight
Mazda is still considered a small player. Therefore, every vehicle in its lineup needs to, in fact, hold its own. Unfortunately, the aging Mazda 6 sedan and cramped CX-3 subcompact SUV are going away in the United States. Though, the newer CX-30 crossover is earning its keep. Still, Mazda is missing a fuel-sipping hybrid. Although, a vehicle type has recently been avoiding in favor of the innovative internal combustion tech. However, its Skyactiv-D turbodiesel was a short-lived disappointment in the U.S. Moreover, the complex Skyactiv-X spark-controlled compression ignition tech is not offered here. Because none of that R&D money is paying big dividends in America, Mazda is planning to leverage Toyota’s decades of investment in hybrid tech is very smart. Therefore, the only way to play.
The Mazda will likely not share the powertrains of the Corolla Cross. It is larger than its factory mate and will ride on the compact Toyota TNGA-C platform. Found in the Toyota Venza and RAV4, and others, the 2.5 liter I-4 hybrid setup, does seem more likely. Therefore, it will almost certainly not use Mazda’s e-Skyactiv-G mild hybrid system. Moreover, it is possible the new SUV could pair a Skyactiv-G engine with Toyota’s hybrid system. That is a concept the company has explored some years ago but did not pursue.