Mazda Australia has paused plans to introduce plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions of its CX-70 and CX-90 large SUVs to focus on upcoming hybrid and electric models.
Speaking with CarExpert at the launch of the four-cylinder, rear-wheel drive CX-60 G25 mid-size SUV range, Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi indicated the business case to import the big PHEVs no longer worked following the end of the federal government’s Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemption for PHEVs.
“The technology is available in the US, and what’s required is engineering effort to comply with ADRs [Australian Design Rules]. It’s possible, but we’ve decided to put a pause on it,” Mr Bhindi said.
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“We offer plug-in [hybrid powertrains] for CX-60 and CX-80, and what we’ve seen is PHEV was appealing to consumers when there was the FBT write-offs, and since then the desire to embrace that technology has basically come off. We’ve got CX-60 and CX-80 [PHEVs] to cover that already.
“We’ve decided CX-70 and CX-90 [PHEV] can hold while our engineering resources work on future battery-electric R&D work. It doesn’t meant we can’t bring that back on the table, but for right now I can say we’ve put a hold on it,” Mr Bhindi added.
The CX-70 and CX-90 PHEVs offered in North America incorporate a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 141kW of power and 260Nm of torque, mated with a 129kW/270Nm electric motor and a 17.8kWh lithium-ion battery for total outputs of 241kW and 500Nm.
Mazda USA quotes 26 miles (41.8km) of EV driving range for the CX-70 PHEV, which is quite a bit less than the “up to 76km” claimed by the Mazda CX-60 PHEV in Australia.
The CX-70 and CX-90 are pretty niche offerings within the Mazda stable, contributing fewer than a combined 800 sales so far this year to September.
Just 547 CX-90s and 279 CX-70s have been registered Down Under in 2025, which may also have contributed to Mazda Australia’s decision not to invest in bringing the PHEV versions here. By comparison, 4067 CX-60s and 2963 CX-80s have been registered to September 30 this year.
