Although the small turbo diesel is finally available in the USA, it’s not inexpensive.
The Dieselgate scandal of a few years ago made it seem certain that all oil burners in America would be gone, save for large pickup trucks. Diesels remain primarily a domain for trucks. However, smaller mills are finding homes on vehicles such as the Chevrolet Colorado or, beginning next year, in the Jeep Gladiator. You can order a Mazda with a twin-turbo, 2.2-liter diesel at Mazda . You can still pre-order it.
The diesel CX-5 is finally here in America. The Skyactiv-D2.2-liter engine is under the SUV’s hood. It has two turbochargers in a single housing. The diesel is capable of producing 168 horsepower (125kilowatts) as well as 290 pound-feet (393 Newton meters) of torque. This puts it below the 2.5-liter four-cylinder standard by a few penies. However, the torque rating is almost equal to that of the turbocharged 2.5 liter gasoline engine producing 250 hp (186 kW).
Mazda rates the CX-5 diesel CX-5’s fuel efficiency at 27 mpg in the city and 30 on the highway, while its combined rating is 28 mpg. This engine easily surpasses the turbocharged four pot at all levels while outperforming the base engine by 4 MPG in the city and matching it for highway driving. The diesel CX-5 is a viable option for small SUV buyers looking for more power and less thirst.
However, there is a catch. The diesel is currently only available in Mazda’s CX-5 Signature AWD model. This can make it expensive. The Signature comes with a 250-hp turbocharged gasoline engine, and the MSRP is $41,000 if you choose the diesel. A 2019 Toyota RAV4 hybrid with more power and better mileage can be purchased by SUV buyers who are budget-conscious.
Mazda announced that the diesel would be available in other trims in the future. However, for now you can only order a CX-5 Diesel with Signature AWD. Mazda has listed this model as a 2019 model, so delivery dates are not known.