In Cars, International News, Mazda / By Matthew H Tong / 19 August 2019 1:35 pm / 12 comments

The Mazda CX-4 facelift has been spotted out and about, completely free of camouflage wrap and proudly strutting its updated looks. The ensuing update means the China-only model will look a lot like the CX-30, complete with the company’s latest Kodo design philosophy.

Let’s start from the front. The updated CX-4 will get a brand new face, with fully redesigned LED headlights and a bolder mesh-type grille with thick chrome surrounds. The lower bumper has also been given a full revamp, featuring LED bars and a more pronounced lip which presumably improves aerodynamic performance. The A-pillars continue to be blacked out to give it that “floating” look.

In terms of wheel sizes, the outgoing CX-4 is available with 17- to 19-inch options, so expect those to be retained as well. Notice the unusually large wheel arches? Well, that’s because the plastic fenders have yet to be installed, so pardon the sight.

Over to the back, the biggest change would be the new LED tail lights. Here, the pair gets a similar design treatment as that seen on the CX-5, and between the clusters is a thicker chrome bar, which still spans the full width of the tailgate. The lower bumper is new, as are the slimmer fog lights and chrome trim.

Besides that, not much else is known, although two close-up photos of the grille and side mirror reveal that the car will now be offered with a 360-degree camera view system. Additional upgrades may include Mazda’s new, sportier three-spoke steering wheel, as well as new trim choices and upholstery colours.

If by this point you think the CX-4 is basically the CX-30, you’re wrong. The two cars, although technically positioned between the CX-3 and CX-5, are dimensionally different. The CX-4 measures 4,633 mm long, 1,840 mm wide, 1,535 mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,700 mm. That’s evidently bigger than the CX-30, which is 4,395 mm long, 1,795 mm wide, 1,540 mm tall, with a 2,655 mm wheelbase.

As for powertrain, the CX-4 will continue to be offered with the existing 2.0 litre SkyActiv-G or 2.5 litre SkyActiv-G four-cylinder petrol engines. The smaller unit makes 158 hp and 202 Nm, and is paired to either a six-speed SkyActiv-MT manual or six-speed SkyActiv-Drive automatic transmission, while the 2.5L unit makes 192 hp and 252 Nm and gets a six-speed automatic. What do you think of this update?