This SUV Just Did Something Only Two Other Mazdas In History Have Ever Done

Mazda’s best-selling SUV just hit a major milestone, and it did so in record time. The CX-5 has officially surpassed 5 million units in production and sales as of the end of 2025, making it only the third Mazda to reach that benchmark after the 323 and the Mazda3. What sets the CX-5 apart is how quickly it got there, having done it in just 14 years.

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Originally launched in 2011 and based on the Minagi concept, the first-generation CX-5 introduced Mazda’s Kodo design language to its SUV lineup. The second generation arrived in 2016, followed by the third in 2025.

Throughout its run, the CX-5 has been offered in more than 100 countries and regions worldwide. It continues to dominate Mazda’s sales charts by a considerable margin.

All-Time Sales Rankings

In Mazda’s all-time leaderboard, the long-running 323/Familia/Protegé (1963–2003) still holds the crown with over 10 million units produced. Next comes the Mazda3, which launched in 2003 and has cleared 6 million units to date. The MX-5 Miata follows in fourth place, with more than 1.2 million roadsters sold since its debut in 1989.

North America Drives Demand

North America has been the primary engine of growth for CX-5 sales. Out of the global total, more than 1.9 million units have gone to the region, making up close to 40 percent of all sales. That’s despite the fact that the CX-5 is not built in the States or Canada.

China comes next with 1 million units sold, followed by Europe at 820,000. Mazda’s home market of Japan accounts for 560,000 units, while Australia rounds out the top five with 300,000.

Even though the CX-5 is Mazda’s best-selling model in the United States, it still lags behind its key competitors. In 2025, Mazda moved 136,335 units in the U.S., but that was well below the Honda CR-V’s 403,768 and the Toyota RAV4’s 479,288.

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However, it’s worth noting that the similarly sized Mazda CX-50 added another 110,345 units in the U.S. market, introducing a layer of internal competition. Whether the arrival of the new CX-5 will change that balance remains to be seen. The all-new 2026 model is expected to arrive at dealers in the coming weeks, starting at $29,990.

Mazda