While other brands expand their local plug-in hybrid line-ups, Mazda has abandoned efforts to add PHEV powertrains to its CX-70 and CX-90 luxury SUVs in Australia after citing poor sales and the end of a key tax incentive.
The removal of the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemption for plug-in hybrids is one reason Mazda won’t bring PHEV versions of its CX-70 and CX-90 to Australia.
Another factor is the struggle to justify the cost of bringing Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) versions of its wide-body SUVs, which have been slow sellers. The CX-60 and CX-80 do offer PHEV options in their local line-ups.
Year-to-date Mazda has sold 547 seven-seat CX-90s and 278 five-seat CX-70s. With CX-90 numbers down by 27 per cent in 2025 and the CX-70 only launching in late 2024, there’s no year-on-year comparative data available yet.
The CX-70 range tops out at $91,116 for the diesel Azami, while the Azami Takumi CX-90 diesel is $95,170 (all prices plus on-road costs).
Mazda Australia managing director, Vinesh Bhindi said at this stage localising the CX-70 and CX-90 PHEV has been put “on hold”.
“We have to ask Mazda Corporation to do the engineering work for Australian Design Rule [ADR] compliance. And for the volumes that are currently there, it wouldn't make any sense.
“So, we're reserving our request at this stage, unless suddenly plug-in hybrid becomes what the consumers want,” said Mr Bhindi.
The bigger question is what future do the CX-70 and CX-90 have in Australia?
Australia is one of the few places where all four CX-0 models are sold and none of them have been a raging success.
The CX-60 has been progressively re-priced and had its suspension retuned twice, after the initial ambitions to tempt buyers away from European prestige brands didn’t pan out.
The CX-90 has also been re-priced since its launch.
Mr Bhindi’s argument has always been that Australia is SUV-mad, so there’s justification for bringing in every model Mazda makes available in right-hand drive.
For now, Mazda is standing firm and believes there is no threat to the CX-70 and CX-90.
“At this stage, those cars are available in right-hand drive, ADR compliant. So, we plan to continue to offer [them] as you see them now.”