Mazda’s fancy SkyActiv-X engines to debut in Australia next month

Come August 2020, Mazda Australia will include the much-vaunted SkyActiv-X M Hybrid to its line-up, but don’t expect it to be cheap.

Compared to regular SkyActiv-G engines, the advanced SkyActiv-X system commands an AUD 3,000 premium.

As such, the SkyActiv-X powertrain is limited to the range-topping “Astina” trims.

The Mazda 3 X20 Astina will be priced from AUD 40,590 for the manual transmission, putting it into the Mazda 6's price point (AUD 38,785 to AUD 55,348). 

Then there's the Mazda CX-30 X20 Astina, will have a starting price of AUD 46,490 when it goes on sale in September.

Never mind the smaller Mazda CX-3, the SkyActiv-X-equipped Mazda CX-30's price puts it right smack into the larger Mazda CX-5's territory (AUD 38,240 to AUD 51,735).

With 179 PS and 224 Nm at its disposal, it is clear that this engine isn’t for performance aficionados, as it makes 10 PS and 28 Nm less than the SkyActiv-G 2.5-litre unit.

That said, although it loses out in raw performance, the SkyActiv-X is a very fuel-efficient engine, as it consumes just 6.4-litre/100 km under the stringent WLTP test cycle.

Keen to find out more about the inner workings of Mazda’s SkyActiv engines? Check out our colleague’s coverage here.

What about Malaysia?

Chances are rather slim for the sophisticated SkyActiv-X to be introduced here, owing to the lack of incentives for low CO2 engines.

Without these incentives in place, the price premium for the SkyActiv-X will be rather significant, pushing the already-expensive Mazda 3 and CX-30's prices by quite a fair bit.