Mazda expects the global SUV market to keep growing, even as some automakers bet on a sedan revival. The company’s latest sales data suggests the trend isn’t slowing down, with consumer preference for higher ride heights, flexible cargo space, and all-weather capability continuing to drive demand across multiple regions.
Hiroshi Ozawa, Mazda’s 6e program manager, told an Australian outlet that SUV demand will continue climbing worldwide. “Globally, I believe that the SUV will still grow,” he said. “That’s our projection.” Ozawa’s confidence stems from Mazda’s own market analysis, which aligns with broader industry patterns indicating sustained crossover popularity.
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The numbers back him up. In Australia, more than 1,000 buyers have already pre-ordered the upcoming CX-6e SUV—300 more than the roughly 700 pre-orders for the electric Mazda 6e sedan. The pre-order figures reveal a clear preference for utility over tradition, as buyers opt for models offering greater adaptability for urban and suburban lifestyles.
Mazda isn’t abandoning sedans entirely. The company recently revived the Mazda6 nameplate as an electric model in markets like Australia, signaling a commitment to passenger cars in specific segments. But the pre-order disparity shows where consumer interest lies. Compact SUVs like the CX-5 still represent Mazda’s biggest growth opportunity, Ozawa said, especially in Europe, where tighter urban spaces favor smaller crossovers. The CX-5’s success in these markets shows how practicality often outweighs other considerations for buyers handling crowded city streets.
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Some industry observers have speculated that sedans—particularly electric ones—might regain ground as styling and efficiency improve. Mazda isn’t buying it. While the company has invested in passenger cars abroad, its long-term strategy leans heavily toward SUVs. The CX-6e’s strong pre-sales suggest that strategy is paying off, reinforcing Mazda’s view that the crossover’s versatility will maintain its appeal even as electric vehicle technology evolves.
North America’s appetite for crossovers shows no signs of waning. Even as automakers introduce sleeker, more efficient sedans, buyers keep gravitating toward the higher ride height and cargo space of SUVs. China’s market tells a similar story. The country’s rapid adoption of electric vehicles hasn’t slowed the shift toward SUVs. Instead, compact crossovers are gaining traction as urban buyers seek practicality without sacrificing maneuverability. The trend is particularly pronounced in congested cities, where smaller SUVs offer the space of a larger vehicle in a more manageable footprint. Europe’s trend mirrors that, with smaller SUVs outperforming traditional hatchbacks in many cities as consumers prioritize storage and visibility.
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Mazda’s confidence in the segment isn’t just talk. The company has new electric crossovers like the CX-6e on the way. The focus on electric SUVs also indicates Mazda’s intention to merge sustainability with the practicality that has defined the segment’s success.
That doesn’t mean the sedan is dead. Mazda’s revival of the Mazda6 as an electric model proves there remains a market for passenger cars, particularly in niche segments. But Mazda’s bet is clear: the crossover’s dominance isn’t ending anytime soon, and the company’s product pipeline reflects that priority.
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