2026 Mazda CX-5 Overview | GearJunkie Examined

If there’s one factor we’ve come to depend on from Mazda, it’s putting design, and with the brand new 2026 CX-5, it delivers once more. In a crowded phase of lookalike packages, the third-generation crossover is an actual standout. However that’s simply one of many explanation why the most recent CX-5 obtained my thumbs up after spending a day driving it round San Diego.

The gen-3 CX-5 grows in all the precise dimensions, delivering extra space for passengers and cargo. It provides extra helpful options, together with an all-new infotainment system, lastly geared up with a purposeful voice management system.

If there’s a draw back to the 2026 CX-5, it’s the shortage of choices with regards to powertrains. The outdated turbo bundle has been dropped this 12 months, leaving solely the time-tested 2.5L SkyActiv-G engine. For now, that’s. Affected person Mazda followers would possibly need to dangle tight till subsequent 12 months when an all-new hybrid makes its debut. It will likely be the primary developed in-house and may ship the kind of sporty responsiveness recalling the model’s long-running Zoom-Zoom tagline.

Briefly: The 2026 Mazda CX-5 is trendy, each inside and outside, and its elevated size yields a roomier, extra snug cabin for each entrance and rear-seat occupants. The brand new CUV provides some welcome new tech options, together with bigger gauge and infotainment screens backed up by the Google built-in software program. The gen-3 mannequin debuts with just one powertrain, Mazda abandoning the earlier turbo bundle. The naturally aspirated SkyActiv-G engine is stable, however consumers searching for each extra energy and higher mileage would possibly need to look ahead to the hybrid choice, which is being added subsequent 12 months.

2026 Mazda CX-5 Overview

Let’s begin out by coping with the query we most regularly hear about Mazda’s mid-range SUVs: what’s the distinction between the CX-50 and CX-5? We might provide up a snarky reply: noting that the CX-50 was up to date in 2023, the CX-5 is getting its full makeover for the 2026 mannequin 12 months. However that doesn’t fairly reply the query.

The marginally bigger CX-50 takes purpose at consumers who need a long-distance cruiser with the next two capability. The CX-5 is extra compact and maneuverable in city settings, in line with U.S. model boss Tom Donnelly. Whereas some skeptics would possibly argue there’s actually no want for the 2 almost an identical packages, Mazda insists they’ve developed distinctive audiences, the CX-5 marginally the higher vendor within the U.S, demand final 12 months topping 100,000.

CX-50 does have one key benefit — for the second — a high-mileage hybrid drivetrain. That hole will get closed subsequent 12 months when the CX-5 will get its personal gas-electric choice. However the place the CX-50 system was developed by Mazda’s larger alliance companion, Toyota, the upcoming CX-5 hybrid is being developed fully in-house.

What’s New for 2026

Although the 2026 Mazda CX-5 stays a bit smaller than the CX-50, with its first utterly new platform since 2013, it provides about 4 inches in whole size this 12 months, and 4.5 inches of further wheelbase, whereas width will increase 0.6 inches.

That’s not a large soar, nevertheless it’s sufficient to yield improved shoulder and legroom, one thing automobiles on this phase are sometimes painfully in need of.

The brand new CX-5 additionally will get extra space for storing, a full 33.7 cubic toes behind the second row. Whereas that jumps to 66.5 cubic toes when you fold flat the 40/20/40 cut up rear bench.

The general look of the 2026 makeover doesn’t stray removed from the prior bundle, itself primarily based on the model’s well-received Kodo design language. The added dimensions yield what Mazda describes as a “extra chiseled, wider-set look.”

One of many extra refined new particulars: the 2026 CX-5 picks up on the most recent trade pattern, the identify “Mazda” boldly spelled out on the tailgate the place the model’s acquainted emblem beforehand sat.

Up to date Inside

The bigger dimensions additionally allowed Mazda to widen the CX-5’s doorways for simpler entry, whereas the tailgate can also be a bit wider. 

The cabin itself has undergone a extra dramatic makeover than the outside. It provides new color-selectable ambient lighting and the kind of particulars Mazda says are supposed to ship a “uniquely Japanese sense of workmanship.”

Essentially the most speedy change is seen on the instrument panel with its 15.6-inch touchscreen, bigger even than the 12.3-inch shows within the automaker’s two top-line fashions, the CX-70 and CX-90.

A have a look at the middle console reveals one other huge distinction. The earlier technology CX-5 required a rotary controller to function its infotainment system. As famous, the 2026 mannequin switches to a touchscreen, obviating the necessity for the massive knob.

To our dismay, nevertheless, Mazda additionally dropped the easy-to-reach quantity button from the console, although you possibly can nonetheless regulate audio ranges utilizing the display screen or a management on the steering wheel.

Downsized Powertrain Selection: For Now

The outgoing Mazda CX-5 supplied consumers a alternative of two SkyActiv powertrains. For the second, there’s just one, the Japanese automaker dropping the turbo choice whereas carrying over a 2.5L inline-four making 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired with a six-speed computerized and, on all trims, sends energy to all 4 wheels.

The SkyActiv-G bundle delivers 24 mpg within the EPA’s metropolis take a look at, 30 mpg on the freeway, and 26 mixed. It boasts a modest tow ranking of 1,500 kilos. The CX-50, by comparability, dealing with as much as 3,500 kilos when correctly geared up.

As earlier famous, the CX-50 provides a alternative of a turbocharged SkyActiv powertrain or a hybrid it borrows from Toyota. CX-5 consumers received’t have to attend lengthy if they like their very own high-mileage hybrid. Whereas particular particulars haven’t been launched, Mazda confirmed that the gas-electric underneath growth in-house will likely be extra of “a driver’s hybrid, the place you get the advantages of the effectivity enhancements, nevertheless it’s very a lot the Mazda DNA when it comes to the efficiency,” in line with Donnelly.

Driving Impressions

From a efficiency standpoint, the 2026 CX-5 does take a success with the lack of the outdated turbocharged bundle. The naturally aspirated inline-4 is an honest choice, however not one thing you’d describe as “spritely.”

One odd reality: the usage of a seemingly dated six-speed gearbox. Most rivals now provide eight speeds and up, which normally means extra seamless shifts and improved mileage. I discovered myself counting on the paddle shifters on the steering wheel to yield a bit extra of that Zoom-Zoom really feel Mazda used to brag about.

That stated, the CX-5 delivers the kind of clean, well-planted trip one would possibly usually anticipate from a costlier car with an air suspension or different electronically managed damping know-how. Mazda makes use of some neat tips to subtly shift torque round to reduce squat and dive when accelerating or braking. It additionally retains the crossover firmly planted in its lane throughout exhausting cornering.

One grievance: the surprisingly numb steering, which simply appears utterly out of character for any Mazda. Let’s hope the automaker doesn’t look ahead to the same old mid-cycle refresh to replace this.

Expertise & Security

Steering isn’t one thing you usually hear people complain about with Mazda. The infotainment system? That’s one other matter.

I deliberately obtained into the outgoing CX-5 just lately and tried to make use of the voice system to search out my vacation spot. As a substitute of Brighton, Mich., it gave me an assortment of decisions in small Missouri cities I’d by no means heard of. I lastly had to make use of the rotary controller to manually enter the right handle.

Lengthy proof against touchscreens, Mazda now provides one of many greatest you will discover, 15.6 inches. On the CX-5 Premium I examined, base fashions nonetheless fitted with a big 12.9-inch various. The working system is Google built-in, and I discovered it responded shortly and precisely, one time after one other. The general suite of connectivity options marks a significant enchancment — however for the shortage of the amount knob.

With Mazda clearly aiming the 2026 CX-5 at household consumers, it has correctly put emphasis on upgraded security, with the usage of extra high-strength metal, for one factor, together with 10 airbags. There’s additionally an upgraded suite of superior driver help programs, with some options coming as high-cost choices on competing merchandise. The record contains lively cruise management, computerized emergency braking, blind-spot help, and signal recognition on all trims. 

2026 Mazda CX-5: Pricing & Availability

As Mazda’s bestselling product line final 12 months, it’s apparent why the automaker must provide you with the precise quantity proposition for the 2026 CX-50. With the naturally aspirated 2.5L engine now rolling into U.S. showrooms, the crossover begins at $29,990, the closely loaded Premium bundle pushing that to $36,900. Add $1,495 for supply charges.

Formally, the 2026 Mazda CX-5 doesn’t go on sale till spring, which is simply days away. Most sellers have been taking orders for some time and may have an honest stock already in inventory. The automaker has but to supply many particulars in regards to the upcoming CX-5 hybrid.

Curiously, with the CX-50, you will get right into a base hybrid for as little as $33,970 in comparison with $40,800 for the bottom turbo mannequin — plus vacation spot charges. Essentially the most inexpensive bundle comes with a naturally aspirated engine and begins at $30,500.

These aren’t direct apples-to-apples costs, nevertheless, because the turbo is a better-equipped bundle total. Nevertheless it suggests Mazda could not place the CX-5 Hybrid as its premium bundle as soon as it debuts someday in 2027.