Mazda Koeru to be built as “totally new” SUV – report

Mazda Koeru Frankfurt 1

The Mazda Koeru will be billed as a completely new entry – separate from Hiroshima’s current range of SUVs – when it does go into production, according to Automotive News. Its CEO Masamichi Kogai said that the new car, rumoured to be called the CX-4, won’t be marketed as a sportier variant of the CX-5 or CX-9 as previously thought, but will instead enter a new market segment for the brand.

“It’s a totally new car. It’s a lower, sporty SUV. It’s close to a wagon,” he said. “The CX-9 rides higher. So does the CX-3 and CX-5. [The Koeru] aims to generate more driving pleasure.”

Mazda Koeru Frankfurt 19

In fact, Kogai believes that the production Koeru, although sized similar to the CX-5, will more closely resemble the Subaru Outback wagon. “That kind of genre. We’d like to see how it is evaluated globally, so we are collecting customer feedback,” he said.

It may seem like a niche segment, but the market for rugged wagons is a surprisingly large one. Subaru sold 136,227 units of the Outback in the United States up to November this year, 9.8% up from the same period in 2014 – that’s more than all the CX-3s, CX-5s and CX-9s sold in November combined.

GALLERY: Mazda Koeru at Frankfurt 2015

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • venven81 on Dec 08, 2015 at 12:41 pm

    this is one very good-looking SUV indeed. mazda’s design is certainly way ahead of its jap rivals and its built quality is much better compared to other japs.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 1
  • kereta_lembu on Dec 08, 2015 at 1:01 pm

    NICE…let’s hope this is a close to the production version as possible.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 0
  • The Saint on Dec 08, 2015 at 1:40 pm

    “Subaru sold 136,227 units of the Outback in the United States last month, 9.8% up from the same month in 2014.”

    This figure does not seem right….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • PT Singam on Dec 09, 2015 at 9:11 am

      Yes that figure is actually for the 11months up to Nov 2015.Paul Tan made a terrible mistake.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • 4G63T DSM on Dec 08, 2015 at 1:50 pm

    When people think of a small FR Roadster, they think of a Miata.

    When people want to buy a Rugged Station wagon, they think of a Subaru Outback. That’s what Subaru is good at, and good at for many years.

    The Outback sold because it was reliable, rugged, “legendary all-wheel-drive”, huge boot and very UNDERSTATED…and it had Paul Hogan to pitch it.

    Mazda seems to be pitting the wrong car at the Outback. This is just another small SUV, no doubt a good looking one….but not in the same page as the Outback.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • nowaday Mazda are making beautiful car

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 1
  • Sam Loo ( ori1 ) on Dec 08, 2015 at 2:11 pm

    Get the Tucson instead. Need to prime used kimchi market

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 5
  • Bona fide beauty. Way to go Mazda!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • seancorr (Member) on Dec 08, 2015 at 2:57 pm

    The Outback design is nowhere near this concept design and no matter what Mazda says about it, this model is actually mimicking the premium German offerings like the X4 and GLC Coupe

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 3
  • DPCraft on Dec 08, 2015 at 4:10 pm

    Rear ugly

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 7
  • Real good and fluid design. the rear almost like BMW X6

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • macromedia on Dec 08, 2015 at 4:33 pm

    Ahh, a big CROSS-OVER I see. that’s good.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Jürg Hölzle on Dec 08, 2015 at 6:51 pm

    There is/was a rumour that the upcoming CX-7 would be based on the Koeru concept and there are spy photos from a new unknown Mazda model.

    I am waiting for a bigger version of our CX-5. The CX-9 is too expensive in Thailand. We have also a CX-3 and I like, that it is not too high.

    I would love a raised wagon-style 7-seater. It should have enough ground clearance and a comfortable seating height. Beside the Subaru also Volvo has interesting models in this class, like the «Cross Country» variants of its wagons.

    Mazda has now a good drive and I am hoping for new existing and practical models!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • PT Singam on Dec 08, 2015 at 7:04 pm

    Paul Tan.org, pease be more accurate in your articles.
    The 136227 Outbacks sold was for 11 months up to Nov 2015 and not for Nov alone.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Will Mac on Dec 09, 2015 at 8:36 am

    Nice looking car but knowing how slow Mazda is, it’ll take forever to reach Thailand.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • DeanZ on Dec 09, 2015 at 2:31 pm

    Looks alot like Toyota Harrier.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
 

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