After four years of being on sale, Mazda has just rolled out the new 2022 Mazda CX-5 facelift, bringing with it revised styling and improved handling.

Kicking things off is the revised exterior design. As revealed in spyshots last week, the new CX-5 facelift gains a revised front grille design, now with a three-dimensional pattern that replaces the outgoing model’s mesh grille.

Also Read: Leaked: This is your first look at the new 2022 Mazda CX-5 facelift

Flanking the new grille are a pair of fresh LED headlights with horizontally-spaced, rectangular LED headlights.

The same lighting signature has also been carried over to the tail lights. Completing the revised rear-end is a restyled bumper with relocated reflectors and new alloy wheels. Selected variants also do away with the black cladding, replaced with body-coloured ones, giving the new CX-5 a distinctive look.

As part of this update, Mazda has added Zircon Sand as a new exterior colour.

Inside, the new 2022 Mazda CX-5 facelift adds a Qi wireless charging pad in the centre console. Also new is the Mazda-intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive), allowing drivers to select the appropriate drive mode at the touch of a switch. There are also redesigned seats aimed to improve passenger comfort.

Speaking of comfort, Mazda has also applied features from the SkyActiv Vehicle Architecture to the CX-5, further improving the SUV’s bodyshell, suspension, and seats to enhance comfort and reduce fatigue. Mazda also said that road noise has been suppressed even further.

Also Read: Pros and Cons: Mazda CX-5 - Brilliant drive, but are you willing to sacrifice space?

Powertrain options should remain unchanged. The turbocharged 2.5-litre petrol engine should continue to be the top-of-the-line option. This engine does 230 PS and 420 Nm, and is mated to Mazda’s tried-and-tested six-speed torque converter automatic transmission, deploying power to all four wheels.

Lesser variants are expected to be powered by naturally-aspirated engines, either in 2.0- or 2.5-litre guises. The former does 162 PS and 213 Nm, while the latter is good for 192 PS and 258 Nm. The 2.2-litre turbodiesel is also expected to be carried over, which does 173 PS and 420 Nm. As usual, engine availability is market-dependent; not all engines are available in every market. 

All engines are paired to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Also Read: Review: 2019 Mazda CX-5 2.0L High – the driver's better choice?

What about Malaysia?

For Malaysia, the new 2022 Mazda CX-5 facelift might take a while to arrive here, as a longer lead time is required for local assembly (CKD).

Thus, don't hold your breath for a 2021 debut; a 2022 is more likely given the current situation we're in.