Mazda has officially confirmed that it will start selling its first modern diesel in the U.S., and it will come under the hood of its CX-5 crossover. This, all while the manufacturers that have always been very pro-diesel, the Europeans, are now shunning compression-ignition engines and looking for alternatives.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 Sports Mazda's First Modern Diesel in the States

We don’t exactly know how long it will take for the diesel Mazda6 to arrive, but it will probably be this year.

Both will be powered by the same 2.2-liter diesel engine with sequential twin turbos and 168 horsepower at 4,000 rpm, as well as 290 pound-feet at 2,000 rpm. But, even thought the unit’s peak power is achieved at 4,000 rpm, this particular diesel engine can be revved out all the way to 5,500 rpm (not a common feat among similar diesels) - Mazda’s smaller 1.8-liter Skyactiv-D that we tried in the Mazda3 hatch is similarly rev-happy.

2020 Mazda CX-5 Diesel Drivetrain Specifications

Engine

Skyactiv-D 2.2-liter diesel

Horsepower

168 HP @ 4,000 RPM

Torque

290 LB-FT @ 2,000 RPM

Fuel economy city/highway/combined

27/30/28


Both will also be paired exclusively with the same six-speed automatic gearbox and, in the case of the CX-5 Signature AWD (the version that comes with the diesel engine), the automaker says it should be able to return 28 mpg in the U.S. on the combined cycle.

In case you’re wondering “why now?”, regarding Mazda’s introduction of diesel engines, the brand’s North American boss, Jeffrey Guyton, explains that “as Mazda continues its climb toward premium, we will offer more powertrain choices that premium customers expect. I am happy to share that Mazda’s Skyactiv-D 2.2-liter diesel engine is joining the U.S. powertrain lineup with our debut model, the 2019 CX-5 Signature AWD with Skyactiv-D.”

The 2019 Mazda CX-5 Signature AWD with the Skyactiv-D 2.2 engine kicks off at $41,000 and can be had in four colors: Snowflake White Pearl, Soul Red Crystal and Machine Gray Metallic. By contrast, a CX-5 Signature AWD with the 250 horsepower 2.5-liter gasoline engine starts from $36,890, so the diesel is around $4,000 more expensive to buy.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2019 Mazda CX-5.