Skip to main content

Designed only for China, Mazda’s distinctive CX-4 is half wagon and half crossover

2017 mazda cx 4 news teaser specs rumors maza 1
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Mazda has published a dark teaser image that previews a new crossover called CX-4. Set to bow at this year’s Beijing Auto Show, the CX-4 is essentially a toned-down version of the surprisingly sleek Koeru concept (pictured below) that debuted during last year’s Frankfurt Auto Show.

The teaser image does a good job of hiding the CX-4’s overall design, but earlier spy shots taken in China reveal the Koeru’s distinctive, almost fastback-like silhouette has made the transition from concept to production with only minor modifications. Its front end is markedly toned down, but it remains faithful to Mazda’s Kodo design language by adopting styling cues such as thin, swept-back headlights and a shield-shaped grille accented by a chrome frame. The rear fascia is characterized by slim tail lamps connected by an elegant strip of chrome trim.

The cabin gets a three-spoke multi-function steering wheel, Mazda’s familiar three-pod instrument cluster, and an infotainment screen that pops up from the top of the dashboard. Billed as the most style-focused member of Mazda’s high-riding lineup, the CX-4 is expected to be a little less spacious than the CX-5, which offers 34.1 cubic feet of trunk space with five adults on board.

Rumors claim the CX-4 will ride on the same basic architecture as the CX-5. Entry-level models are expected to use a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, and more expensive variants will benefit from a 2.5-liter four-cylinder tuned to generate 184 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque. An automatic transmission will be the only unit offered.

Mazda will fully introduce the CX-4 online in the days leading up to this year’s Beijing show, which opens its doors in late April. The crossover will be built in China, and will go on sale locally shortly after it greets the show-going public in the Chinese capital. Eric Booth, the senior manager of Mazda’s PR department, has told Digital Trends that the CX-4 will not be sold in the United States.

Editors' Recommendations

Ronan Glon
Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…
Alpine sale: Up to $160 off speakers and subs for your car
alpine speaker sale crutchfield march 2024 car and amp setup on table

If you’re looking to kit your car out with some superior speakers or a subwoofer, Crutchfield is the place to go today. Right now, there’s a huge sale on Alpine subwoofers and speakers with nearly 50 different items forming the sale. As there are so many options, the best idea is to hit the button below to see what’s around. If you don’t know where to start though, read on while we take you through some great items in the sale.

What to shop for in the Alpine sale
Buying the best aftermarket car speakers are important for anyone who spends a lot of time on the road and is currently dealing with a mediocre sound system. One good starting point in the Alpine sale is the 2-way speakers for $104 instead of $130. You get two 2-way speakers with a polypropylene/glass fiber/mica woofer with a specialized rubber surround. There’s a one-inch silk dome tweeter with speakers able to handle up to 80 watts RMS with 240 watts peak power. The grilles aren’t included but the factor ones should be fine for most purposes.

Read more
Mercedes to trial humanoid robots for ‘low-skill, repetitive, demanding’ jobs
Apptronik's Apollo robot at work in an auto plant.

Humanoid robots have been coming on leaps and bounds in recent years, and some major companies are starting to take note.

Mercedes-Benz, for example, has just entered into an agreement with Texas-based robotics specialist Apptronik to collaborate on identifying applications for highly advanced robots that the auto giant could deploy. The deal will involve a trial that will see Apptronik's Apollo humanoid robot work alongside Mercedes' human workers on the factory floor.

Read more
Hyundai Ioniq 9: price, release date, range, and more
Hyundai Ioniq 9 Front

Hyundai has been at the forefront of EV development for a while now, largely thanks to the success of the crossover-sized Hyundai Ioniq 5. But the company is readying another new EV that could be even more popular than the Ioniq 5 -- or at least more desirable in the U.S., the land of big cars.

The upcoming Ioniq 9, previously set to be called the Ioniq 7, will be Hyundai's take on an electric SUV. It will be to Hyundai what the Kia EV9 is to Kia. It will have three rows and carry over design elements from the Ioniq 5.

Read more