HP difference between 2.5 NA CX-5 and CX-30

[zx10guy]

This question may have already been asked. But it's sort of bugging me to get an answer. Anyone know why the 2.5NA in the CX-30 has 4 HP more than the 2.5NA in the CX-5?

 

[Snake]

You couldn't feel a difference of 4hp between the two motors if your life depended on it.

 

[zx10guy]

I know. I'm not looking to chase small HP increases nor am I looking to modify my car to get more horsepower. Being the engines are the same between the two chassis, I was just wondering why the difference. It's just an academic query. Is it due to intake plumbing/routing? I also noticed that the engines in the CX-5 with cylinder deactivation are showing 1ft lb less in torque than the non CD engines. Just interesting to see the variations.

 

[Snake]

I know. I'm not looking to chase small HP increases nor am I looking to modify my car to get more horsepower. Being the engines are the same between the two chassis, I was just wondering why the difference. It's just an academic query. Is it due to intake plumbing/routing? I also noticed that the engines in the CX-5 with cylinder deactivation are showing 1ft lb less in torque than the non CD engines. Just interesting to see the variations.

I checked the 2026 models and saw that the CX-30 had 1 less HP (186 vs 187) than the CX-5.

 

[zx10guy]

That's so odd. Because the 2025 CX-30 is showing 191HP.

 

[Snake]

That's so odd. Because the 2025 CX-30 is showing 191HP.

That's the most HP I've ever heard of out of a NA 2.5L Mazda. Was it a sport/performance model or something special edition?

 

[zx10guy]

It was across the entire platform no matter what trim level. I tried to pull it up on Mazda's official site but they already pulled down the 2025 model info.

 

[zx10guy]

Here's a dealer website I found doing a search for the 2025 CX-30 specs:

2025 Mazda CX-30 Specs, Price, Colors | Tim Dahle Mazda Murray

2025 Mazda CX-30 Specs, Price, Colors | Tim Dahle Mazda Murray

www.timdahlemazdamurray.com

And it shows 191HP for the S trim.

 

[Turbovski]

My guess would be different tuning maps for emission reasons. The CX 30 is lighter then the CX 5 so maybe they could tune it for more HP with same emission results?
The loss of 5 HP for the 2026 CX 30 could be because of the same reason: lowering emission ratings.

 

[marcus908]

I know. I'm not looking to chase small HP increases nor am I looking to modify my car to get more horsepower. Being the engines are the same between the two chassis, I was just wondering why the difference. It's just an academic query. Is it due to intake plumbing/routing? I also noticed that the engines in the CX-5 with cylinder deactivation are showing 1ft lb less in torque than the non CD engines. Just interesting to see the variations.

Good question—and you’re right to look at it as an academic/engineering curiosity rather than a performance chase.


Even when engines are “the same,” small differences in ratings usually come from supporting hardware and calibration, not the core engine itself. Things like intake routing, exhaust layout, and even engine bay packaging can change airflow slightly. Different chassis mean different space constraints, heat management, and noise/emissions tuning, which all affect how the engine is mapped.


As for cylinder deactivation showing 1 ft-lb less torque, that’s almost certainly a tuning choice. CD systems require different cam profiles, valve control strategies, and ECU mapping to allow smooth transitions between modes. To keep drivability, reliability, and emissions consistent, manufacturers often sacrifice a tiny bit of peak output—even if it’s so small it’s basically irrelevant in real-world driving.