Mazda Skyactiv-G 2.5T (2.5 Turbo): years, specs & known problems

By CarWhere Research · Updated

Mazda's 2.5 Turbo is the Skyactiv-G 2.5T, a turbocharged 2.5-liter four that debuted in the 2016 CX-9. Mazda rates it at 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular fuel and 250 hp on 93-octane premium, or 256 hp in the CX-5 and CX-50. Torque on premium rose from 310 to 320 lb-ft for 2020.

Mazda built the 2.5T on the naturally aspirated Skyactiv-G 2.5, keeping its 89 x 100 mm bore and stroke and 2,488 cc, and set compression at 10.5:1. Its Dynamic Pressure Turbo uses a small inlet port to build boost quickly at low rpm and opens a second valve at higher rpm; Mazda called it the first turbocharging system that varies exhaust pulsation with engine speed. Cooled EGR and a 4-3-1 exhaust manifold complete the package. Peak torque arrives at 2,000 rpm.

The engine is rated two ways. On regular 87-octane fuel every application makes 227 hp and 310 lb-ft. On 93-octane premium, the 2016–2019 engines made 250 hp and 310 lb-ft; from 2020 premium torque is 320 lb-ft, and the 2022-on CX-5 and the CX-50 are rated 256 hp.

The CX-9 used it from 2016 until the model ended after 2023, and the Mazda6 had it for 2018–2021. The CX-5 offered it from 2019 through 2025; the redesigned 2026 and 2027 CX-5 list only the naturally aspirated 2.5. The Mazda3, CX-30 and CX-50 Turbo models still use it. The CX-90 and CX-70 don't: they use an inline-six or a plug-in hybrid four.

Skyactiv-G 2.5T (2.5 Turbo) at a glance

Mazda Skyactiv-G 2.5T 2.5-liter turbocharged direct-injection inline four-cylinder, US 2016–present: model years, fuel and peak Mazda-published output
EngineModel yearsFuelPeak hpPeak torque (lb-ft)Documented problemsRecalls
Mazda Skyactiv-G 2.5T 2.5-liter turbocharged direct-injection inline four-cylinder, US 2016–present2016–presentRegular 87 octane (227 hp) or premium 93 octane (250–256 hp)25632000

CarWhere lists 0 documented problems and 0 NHTSA recalls for the Skyactiv-G 2.5T (2.5 Turbo), each with a source. Part of the Skyactiv-G four-cylinder family family.

Skyactiv-G 2.5T (2.5 Turbo) specifications

Skyactiv-G 2.5T (2.5 Turbo): design facts (2016–present)
SpecificationValue
Displacement2,488 cc[2]
Bore x stroke89.0 x 100.0 mm (same as the Skyactiv-G 2.5)[2]
Compression ratio10.5:1[2]
TurbochargerDynamic Pressure Turbo: small inlet port for low-rpm boost, secondary valve opens at higher rpm[3]
Other hardwareCooled exhaust gas recirculation and a pulse-scavenging 4-3-1 exhaust manifold[4]
Peak torque rpm2,000 rpm (2016 CX-9)[1]
2020 changePremium-fuel torque raised by 10 lb-ft to 320 lb-ft (CX-5 and CX-9)[5]
2022 changeCX-5 premium-fuel rating raised by 6 hp to 256 hp[9]
CX-9 endDiscontinued for the US after the 2023 model year[16]
Mazda6 endDiscontinued for the US for the 2022 model year[17]
TransmissionSix-speed automatic with i-Activ AWD in the CX-30, CX-50 and Mazda3 Turbo[14]

Skyactiv-G 2.5T (2.5 Turbo) horsepower and torque by year

Skyactiv-G 2.5T (2.5 Turbo): Mazda-published horsepower (hp) and torque (lb-ft) by model year and application
Model yearsApplicationHorsepower (hp)Torque (lb-ft)Source
2016CX-9 (93 octane)250 hp at 5,000 rpm250310[1]
2016CX-9 (87 octane)Mazda in-house figure; 310 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm227310[2]
2018Mazda6 (93 octane)227 hp on 87 octane250310[3]
2019CX-5 (93 octane)227 hp on 87 octane250310[4]
2020CX-5 (93 octane)Mazda says the 2020 CX-9 gained the same 10 lb-ft250320[5]
2020CX-5 (87 octane)227310[5]
2021Mazda3 2.5 Turbo (93 octane)227 hp and 310 lb-ft on 87 octane250320[6]
2021CX-30 2.5 Turbo (93 octane)227 hp and 310 lb-ft on 87 octane250320[7]
2021Mazda6 Turbo (93 octane)227 hp and 310 lb-ft on 87 octane250320[8]
2022CX-5 2.5 Turbo (93 octane)227 hp and 310 lb-ft on 87 octane256320[9]
2023CX-50 2.5 Turbo (93 octane)227 hp and 310 lb-ft on 87 octane256320[10]
2023CX-9 (93 octane)227 hp and 310 lb-ft on 87 octane250320[11]
2025CX-5 2.5 Carbon Turbo and Turbo (93 octane)227 hp and 310 lb-ft on 87 octane256320[12]
2026CX-30 2.5 Turbo (93 octane)227 hp and 310 lb-ft on 87 octane250320[13]
2026CX-50 2.5 Turbo (93 octane)227 hp and 310 lb-ft on 87 octane256320[14]
2027Mazda3 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus (93 octane)227 hp and 310 lb-ft on 87 octane250320[15]

"—" means we could not confirm the figure from a primary source.

Which vehicles have the Skyactiv-G 2.5T (2.5 Turbo)?

Models and model years offered with the Skyactiv-G 2.5T (2.5 Turbo)
ModelModel yearsNotes
CX-92016–2023Standard engine; CX-9 discontinued after 2023
Mazda62018–2021Higher trims; Mazda6 discontinued for 2022
CX-52019–2025Upper trims; not offered on the 2026–2027 CX-5
Mazda32021–present2.5 Turbo hatchback and sedan, AWD only
CX-302021–present2.5 Turbo, standard AWD
CX-502023–present2.5 Turbo, 256 hp on premium

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Frequently asked questions

Do you need premium fuel in the Mazda 2.5 Turbo?

No. Mazda rates the 2.5T at 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular 87-octane fuel. Premium 93-octane unlocks the headline rating: 250 hp in the Mazda3, CX-30, Mazda6 and CX-9, and 256 hp in the 2022-on CX-5 and the CX-50, with 320 lb-ft since 2020.

Which Mazdas have the 2.5 Turbo?

The 2016–2023 CX-9, 2018–2021 Mazda6, 2019–2025 CX-5, and the Mazda3, CX-30 and CX-50 Turbo models from 2021 (2023 for the CX-50). The redesigned 2026 CX-5 and the CX-90 and CX-70 don't use it.

Is the Mazda 2.5 Turbo a Skyactiv engine?

Yes. Mazda calls it the Skyactiv-G 2.5T. It shares bore, stroke and parts of the fuel system with the naturally aspirated Skyactiv-G 2.5, with a lower 10.5:1 compression ratio and the Dynamic Pressure Turbo.

Why do the CX-5 and CX-50 make 256 hp?

Mazda raised the CX-5's premium-fuel rating by 6 hp to 256 hp for 2022, and the CX-50 launched for 2023 at the same 256 hp. Mazda3 and CX-30 Turbo models stayed at 250 hp. All share 320 lb-ft on premium and 227 hp on regular.

Does the 2.5 Turbo have any engine recalls?

CarWhere found no NHTSA recall in the federal recall dataset that names the 2.5 Turbo engine. The cylinder-deactivation recall 19V497 applies to the naturally aspirated 2.5, the only version with cylinder deactivation.

Sources

Ratings are Mazda-published figures as cited; descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs appear only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.

  1. All-New Mazda CX-9 Three-Row Crossover Debuts at 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show (Nov. 18, 2015) — Mazda North American Operations
  2. Mazda's All-New CX-9 to Feature New 2.5-liter Direct-Injection Turbocharged Gasoline Engine (Nov. 18, 2015) — Mazda North American Operations
  3. Re-Engineered, Refined Mazda6: Mazda's Path to Premium (Nov. 29, 2017) — Mazda North American Operations
  4. Updated CX-5: Elegant, Exhilarating the SUV that Enlivens the Journey (Nov. 9, 2018) — Mazda North American Operations
  5. 2020 Mazda CX-5 Continues To Separate Itself From Its Class (Nov. 12, 2019) — Mazda North American Operations
  6. 2021 Mazda3 2.5 Turbo: Refined Performance (July 8, 2020) — Mazda North American Operations
  7. 2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 Turbo: Empowering Performance (Sept. 17, 2020) — Mazda North American Operations
  8. 2021 Mazda6: Standing Out From Its Class (Sept. 1, 2020) — Mazda North American Operations
  9. 2022 Mazda CX-5: Pricing and Packaging (Nov. 30, 2021) — Mazda North American Operations
  10. Mazda Announces Pricing and Packaging for 2023 CX-50 (Feb. 22, 2022) — Mazda North American Operations
  11. 2023 Mazda CX-9: Pricing and Packaging (Aug. 30, 2022) — Mazda North American Operations
  12. 2025 Mazda CX-5: Pricing and Packaging (July 16, 2024) — Mazda North American Operations
  13. 2026 Mazda CX-30: Pricing and Packaging (Sept. 18, 2025) — Mazda North American Operations
  14. 2026 Mazda CX-50: Pricing and Packaging (Sept. 16, 2025) — Mazda North American Operations
  15. 2027 Mazda3: Pricing and Packaging (Nov. 3, 2026) — Mazda North American Operations
  16. Mazda CX-9 Discontinuation (June 30, 2023) — Mazda North American Operations
  17. Statement on Mazda6 and CX-3 (May 21, 2021) — Mazda North American Operations

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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Mazda North American Operations or Mazda Motor Corporation. Mazda and the model names are trademarks of their owners.