New look and suspension changes, plus additional safety technology.

UPDATES for the most popular Mazda sold in New Zealand, the CX-5 sports utility, have rolled out internationally.

There’s no clarity from the national distributor yet about when this market will see what’s being considered a ‘see-me-out’ freshen for the current line.

Revised styling and suspension alterations are the major changes for the model, which Mazda apparently intends to prioritise for Europe and North America.

Those markets have today unveiled the updated line-up, which industry commentators believe is intended to keep the model in vogue until the next-generation model is unveiled. That is still rumoured to be a late 2022 plan.

The engine range appears unchanged; presently CX-5 is built with four different units - 115kW/200Nm 2.0-litre non-turbo petrol, 140kW/252Nm 2.5-litre non-turbo petrol, 140kW/450Nm 2.2-litre turbo diesel and 170kW/420Nm 2.5-litre turbo petrol.

The freshened CX-5 is identified by its reworked front end; most notably, there’s a reshaped grille – featuring a three-dimensional pattern, replacing mesh – flanked by slimmer, dual-eye LED headlights, and sitting above a revised lower bumper design.

New LED tail-lights and a tweaked bumper feature at the rear, joined by “all-new” wheel designs from 17 to 19 inches in diameter.

America is taking an entry level 2.5 Turbo aimed at “sport-minded enthusiasts” with gloss black exterior trim, black 19-inch wheels, black leather trim and red contrast stitching, plus a more upmarket derivative with body-coloured exterior design elements, bright silver wheels, Nappa leather upholstery, and woodgrain trim.

Europe and the United Kingdom, meantime, are down to take rugged-look 'Newground' model (above) with silver front, side and rear garnishes, black door mirrors, 17-inch silver or 19-inch black wheels, suede upholstery, and lime green contrast stitching, grille accents and air-conditioning vent surrounds.

Range-wide interior changes include a new seat design and a wireless phone charging pad. The 10.25-inch central screen and 7.0-inch instrument display carry over from the current CX-5.

Mazda says it has revised the six-speed automatic transmission for smoother acceleration and retuned the suspension for reduced noise, vibration and harshness. The car also takes what is being called a 'Mi-Drive' drive mode selector.

The safety suite gains a Cruising and Traffic Support system that controls accelerator, brake and steering inputs in traffic jams. The new adaptive LED headlights also deliver improved light distribution.