Mazda's new, compact crossover has been leaked ahead of the automaker's planned auto show debut.

Images posted on a Chinese site reveal the new Mazda CX-4 in its entirety. Not diverging substantially from the design language seen on the automaker's smaller CX-3, the CX-4 draws a lower roof line compared to the CX-5 thanks to its sloping tail gate and high window line.

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The CX-4 shows clear inspiration from Mazda's Koeru concept that bowed last fall at the Frankfurt Motor Show.  

The photos show 2.5 badging, indicating this particular CX-4's powertrain. It is expected that the CX-4 will ride on the CX-5's platform and will thus share its 2.0-liter and 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines. Unlike the CX-5, the CX-4 is positioned as more of a "lifestyle" model with its sloping roof line.

This could potentially allow Mazda to grow the next-generation CX-5 a bit, addressing the current model's rather tight interior. If anything, the CX-4 likely previews the next-generation CX-5. 

The actual CX-4 isn't set to make its formal debut until the Beijing Auto Show toward the end of April. 

It remains to be seen if Mazda will see fit to offer the CX-4 in North America, but rumors for now indicate it will be a China-only model.

More photos can be seen on at Autos163.

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