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All 2022 Mazda SUVs Will Come Only with AWD

Photo credit: Mazda
Photo credit: Mazda
  • Mazda will make all-wheel drive standard on all CX SUV models starting for the 2022 model year.

  • The updated 2022 CX-5 has already been revealed, but we haven't yet seen what's in store for the 2022 CX-9 and CX-30.

  • Front-wheel drive was previously standard on each of these models, so their base prices are likely to rise.

The CX-5 isn't the only Mazda SUV that will now come standard with all-wheel drive. Mazda says that all 2022 CX models, comprising the CX-30, CX-5, and CX-9 crossovers, will no longer be offered with front-wheel drive as standard. We don't yet have official word on how this will affect pricing, but it's a sure bet that each of these models will have a higher base price for 2022, as AWD was previously a $1400 option on the CX-30 and CX-5 and a $1900 option on the CX-9.

Mazda has already shared updates for the 2022 CX-5, which include a few interior upgrades and a freshened appearance. We haven't heard details yet on the 2022 CX-30 or 2022 CX-9, so we're not sure if they will receive any updates other than the newly standard all-wheel-drive system.

We're also curious to see how this shift affects future Mazda SUV models that could ride on the company's new longitudinal platform and use its new inline-six engines. If all-wheel drive is standard on these upcoming vehicles, it means we're unlikely to get a rear-wheel-drive version of the rumored CX-50 or a possible larger three-row model to replace the CX-9. Some luxury automakers do offer rear-wheel-drive versions of their SUVs, such as BMW's sDrive versions of the X3 and X5.

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