Mazda is in a truly enviable position in the automotive industry. Visiting a Mazda dealer near you will reveal a lineup of luxurious, affordable, reliable, and fun vehicles that few other manufacturers can match. In addition, Mazda SUVs consistently make the list of top safety picks by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and get 5-star safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This is most likely the result of the fact that Mazda is one of the few automakers that put most of their active safety features on all trim levels of its vehicles, so you don’t have to pay a premium to keep you and your passengers safe. As a result, Mazda has incredible brand loyalty.
My brother has been driving Mazda SUVs for years, and he is currently in love with his Mazda CX-5 with its turbocharged engine. Not only does he get great gas mileage, but that extra boost from the Mazda’s turbocharger gives him the ability to get around quickly and safely. Having a turbocharger on your engine gives it more power and efficiency, so it is a real plus on an SUV. Which Mazda SUVs have a turbocharged engine? Right now, the CX-9 and some trim levels of the CX-5 feature a turbocharged gas engine. Later in 2021, Mazda will be debuting the all-new CX-30 2.5 Turbo, making it the first model of this great compact crossover to feature a turbocharged engine. Stop by your local Mazda dealer to test drive one of these great vehicles and see why Mazda offers the ideal combination of performance, durability, safety, and dependability on the auto market today.
Why Do I Want a Turbocharger?
Who doesn’t want more power in their car, especially if it comes without harming your car’s fuel efficiency? It’s like getting the best of both worlds. Well, this is exactly what a turbocharger will do to your engine. When your SUV’s engine runs, it emits hot exhaust gasses out the tailpipe. With a normal engine, this represents wasted energy. But by fitting a turbocharger, the energy in the exhaust gasses can be used to add power to the engine.
A turbocharger includes a turbine in the exhaust that spins as these gasses pass through it – much like how a windmill turns in the wind. But instead of grinding grain into flour, the turbine on the turbocharger turns an air pump that forces more air into your engine’s cylinders. In the same way that you feed a fire by blowing on it, that added oxygen feeds the combustion in your engine’s cylinders to generate more power.
You can see the effect of a turbocharger by simply comparing the performance of the different models of the 2021 Mazda CX-5. The standard engine on the CX-5 is an excellent 2.5-liter SKYACTIV-G that produces 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. The same 2.5-liter engine with Mazda’s Dynamic Pressure Turbo produces 250 hp and an incredible 320 lb-ft of torque. That is an increase of 63 hp and 134 lb-ft of torque.
This extra power also has a surprisingly low cost in fuel economy because a turbocharger really only kicks in when you are accelerating. The CX-5 with the standard 2.5-liter engine is rated for 25 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway. These figures are only slightly better than the CX-5 with the turbocharged engine, which gets a fuel economy of 23 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway. Clearly, adding a turbocharger will dramatically improve overall engine power and performance at the cost of only a slight loss of fuel efficiency.
The CX-5 Trims With the Turbocharged Engine
For the 2021 model year, Mazda is offering the turbocharged I-4 engine on three trim levels of the CX-5 compact SUV: the Carbon Edition Turbo, the Grand Touring Reserve, and the top-of-the-line Signature. The Carbon Edition Turbo has a striking exterior with a trim exclusive black grille and polymetal gray metallic paint job, which carries over to its black interior with your choice of red or black leather-trimmed seats and steering wheel. It has a base MSRP of $30,660.
The Grand Touring Reserve has a base MSRP of $35,285 and standard i-ACTIV all-wheel drive with Off-Road Traction Assist. It features full LED exterior lighting, including fog lights and an Adaptive Front-lighting System, and a rear power liftgate. The interior of the Grand Touring Reserve offers your choice of black or parchment leather seats. The CX-5 Signature is the top trim and really has it all at an MSRP of $37,405. The CX-5 has been named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS and received a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA thanks to its comprehensive suite of standard active safety technologies.
The CX-9 Is Standard With a Turbocharged Engine
Every model of the 2021 Mazda CX-9 comes standard with the 2.5-liter SKYACTIV-G Dynamic Pressure Turbo engine. No matter which trim you choose, from the base model Sport all the way to the top-of-the-line Signature, you will get this excellent turbocharged engine. The 2021 CX-9 sport has a base MSRP of $33,960, getting you an exceptional three-row midsize SUV with a turbocharged engine for a very affordable price.
The CX-9 is front-wheel drive standard with available i-ACTIV all-wheel drive. If you choose a CX-9 with front-wheel drive, you can expect an estimated 22 MPG in city driving and 28 miles per gallon on the highway. These figures are slightly lower than those for the CX-5 with the turbocharged I-4 engine, but they are still remarkable for an SUV of this size. And on top of power and efficiency, the CX-9 will provide you with a remarkable level of luxury.
Turbo Engine Coming Soon to the CX-30
The relatively new Mazda CX-30 has quickly become one of the most popular subcompact crossovers on the market today. It was a Top 3 Finalist for the 2020 World Car of the Year award (alongside the closely-related Mazda3 compact car), was named an IIHS Top Safety Pick, and received a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. On September 17, 2020, Mazda thrilled car enthusiasts with the announcement that it will be offering the 2021 Mazda CX-30 subcompact crossover with the 2.5-liter SKYACTIV-G Dynamic Pressure Turbo I-4 engine. This new model will be designated as the CX-30 2.5 Turbo to distinguish it from the line available with the standard engine.
In addition to the turbocharged engine, the all-new CX-30 2.5 Turbo will feature a larger tailpipe, Turbo badging, 18-inch black alloy wheels, and gloss black side mirrors. The 2021 CX-30 2.5 Turbo also will come with Mazda’s new Smart City Brake Support Reverse and Rear Cross-Traffic Braking as part of its i-Activsense safety suite. This cutting-edge system automatically applies the CX-30’s brakes if it senses an obstacle in the vehicle’s path when reversing. The CX-30 2.5 Turbo will also come with all-new Traffic Jam Assist as part of the Mazda Radar Cruise Control, helping you keep your CX-30 2.5 Turbo in the lane when driving in traffic. All these will help take the CX-30 to the next level.
There is nothing like driving a Mazda SUV equipped with a turbocharged engine. You are sure to notice the enhanced performance on your CX-5, CX-9, or CX-30. While these models were already standouts for their luxurious feel, sporty handling, and incredible safety, that added horsepower and torque will increase the pickup on your Mazda, whether launching from a red light or passing on the highway. The best part is that it comes without losing any real fuel economy. You don’t just have to take my word for it – you can ask my brother if you can catch him as he races past you in his turbocharged Mazda CX-5.
