At the Japan Mobility Show (JMS) 2025 this week, Mazda Motor Corp. unveiled two vision models, the Vision X-Coupe and Vision X-Compact, embodying the company’s theme for this year’s exhibition: “the joy of driving fuels a sustainable tomorrow” for 2035. The concept vehicle’s represent two size extremes, with the large Vision X-Coupe—at 5050 mm (198.8 in) long, 1995 mm (78.5 in) wide, and 1480 mm (58.3 in) tall on a 3080-mm (121.3-in) wheelbase—nearly CX-90 length; the small Vision X-Compact—at 3825 mm (150.6 in) long, 1795 mm (70.7 in) wide, and 1470 mm (57.9 in) tall on a 2515-mm (99.0-in) wheelbase—is shorter than an MX-5 Miata.

“This year at JMS, we have an uplifting message that speaks to our past and to our enduring future: ‘the joy of driving fuels a sustainable tomorrow,’” said Masahiro Moro, President and CEO of Mazda Motor Corp. “For Mazda, driving has always been more than a means of getting from point A to B. Rather, we endeavor to give drivers the experience of oneness with our cars, a connection, an exhilarating feeling on the road, what we simply call ‘Jinba Ittai’ (oneness between driver and car). Through our Multi Solution strategy, Mazda will continue evolving this joy of driving, inspiring our customers, delighting those who are passionate about cars now and for generations to come.”

Moro says the company will achieve all of this, while also making a positive impact on society: “With carbon neutrality as a mission shared by all, we believe that the joy of driving is a force that will shape a brighter future for humanity and the Earth.”

The Vision X-Coupe four-door “crossover coupe” design is a further evolution of the company’s “Kodo-Soul of Motion” language. It is powered by a plug-in hybrid system integrating a two-rotor rotary turbo engine with an electric motor and battery. With a maximum output of 510 PS (375 kW), the vehicle offers a driving range of 160 km (99 mi) in e-motor-only mode and up to 800 km (497 mi) when operating in combination with the rotary engine.

The vehicle is said to contribute to reducing atmospheric CO2 as it is driven by combining carbon-neutral fuel derived from microalgae with a proprietary Mazda Mobile Carbon Capture technology. The two advances are part of a “future we want to aim for in 2035,” said Moro, after years of studying fuels and CO2 emissions.

For the carbon-neutral fuel, as microalgae grow, they absorb CO2 while storing oils in their cells that can be extracted and refined into carbon-neutral fuel. In the company’s microalgae research, it succeeded in producing over 1 L of fuel from a 1000-L culture tank in about two weeks. Once the fuel is extracted, the remaining microalgae are rich in nutrients, such as protein, which can be upcycled into food products or organic fertilizers.

The Mazda Mobile Carbon Capture efficiently pulls CO2 directly from exhaust. The captured CO2 can then be recycled to boost crop growth or to manufacture high-performance carbon materials. Next month, the company says it will showcase the technology in a super endurance race.

The two innovations “represent just the beginning of our vision: a future where mobility plays a vital role in a recycling-oriented society…a future where we will contribute to a more sustainable world while continuing to bring the joy of driving to our customers,” said Moro.

Mazda is also focusing on a human-centric approach to design and engineering. As autonomous driving and software technologies advance, Moro says that Mazda envisions a future where cars can be empathic, “understanding drivers’ intentions, detecting their emotions, and opening up new possibilities.”

To achieve this vision, Mazda is developing “a human sensory digital model,” involving the scientific study of how people experience their cars emotionally and physically. From the findings, “we will create a car that cares for you, that responds to your emotions, because when we create genuine connection between people and vehicles, driving becomes more than transportation; it becomes a joy,” said Moro.

“The Vision X-Compact also stands as a powerful symbol of another important theme we value: a deepening of the relationship between people and vehicles,” said Moro.

The Vision X-Compact is designed to deepen the bond between people and cars through the fusion of the human sensory digital model and empathetic AI. Acting like a close companion, it is capable of engaging in natural conversation and suggesting destinations, helping expand the driver’s world. This represents Mazda’s vision for the future of smart mobility, where vehicles and people form an emotional connection, much like a friend.

Kaisei Takahashi, interior designer of the Vision X-Compact, provided more insight into the human sensory digital model with empathic AI. He said the approach could help with “the most boring part of your day” for “those drives when you are alone, and the ride feels too quiet, too flat, predictable.”

“Now picture this: you are behind the wheel, but you are not alone,” he said. “There is a warm presence, not intrusive, just aware. Some days, this same friend reads your mood and queues up the perfect playlist, or it stays silent when that is what you need. It learns. It anticipates. It understands you. This is not science fiction. This is where Mazda is heading.”

On the production vehicle side for Tolyo, the most important Mazda on display is the new CX-5, in European specification, on public display for the first time. The model represents a careful evolution of Mazda’s best-seller from 2018 to 2024, during which 4.5 million units went to customers across more than 100 countries and regions.

“After eight years, the all-new CX-5 is fully remodeled,” said Moro. “The moment the door opens, a more spacious cabin welcomes all passengers with a comfortable ride.”

With a refined Kodo design, enhanced Jinba-ittai driving dynamics, and a new Mazda E/E Architecture+, this latest model aims to offer an evolved driving experience.

Moro says that Mazda vehicles are undergoing a modern transformation with the new electrical/electronic platform and large displays. This includes the introduction of the Google Gemini AI Assistant that will replace the Google Assistant in a future software update.