Since its debut in 2013, the Mazda CX-5 has been one of the best-driving compact SUVs on the market. Its excellent handling, steering and balance made it stand out in a segment that has always been considered somewhat bland. But despite its positive driving characteristics, the CX-5 has always been labeled as being too small, especially in the back seat, and the lack of a modern touchscreen made the interior feel dated. That all changes for 2026 as the Mazda CX-5 is all-new and fully redesign. Let's see if Mazda kept the fun factor from the previous CX-5 while addressing its shortcomings.
The new CX-5 is longer and wider than the vehicle it is replacing. By stretching its wheelbase by 4.5 inches, rear passenger room is improved, and the cargo area is nearly two inches longer. On the exterior, despite the longer dimensions, the new CX-5 maintains its general shape and proportions. The trademark Kodo design has been mildly refreshed making the new CX-5 look modern. The large seven-point grill remains but there is now a black frame connecting it to the headlights forming a wing. Moving to the sides, the wheel arches have been gently squared off, while the roof line appears to slope less towards the rear than the previous generation. In back, new taillights like those found on the higher end CX-70 and CX-90 are used.
To the casual observer, the exterior changes may be hard to spot. Not so inside. The big news is that Mazda has ditched its small infotainment display that was operated by a rotary Commander controller knob and in its place is a massive touchscreen that sits front and center of the dashboard measuring either 12.9 inches or 15.6 inches depending on trim. This change means that many of the physical buttons and switches have been moved into the display, proving that even Mazda isn't immune to this unfortunate trend. One of my favorite features, the volume control knob, which had been placed on the center console next to the shifter in previous CX-5s, is also gone. The driver now sits in front of a 10.25-inch digital instrument display. One interesting thing to note - the steering wheel has the word Mazda spelled out instead of using the brand's logo, a company first.
The new touchscreen also means that the old Mazda infotainment software is gone, replaced by a Google-based one that includes Google Assistant with voice control, Google Maps for navigation and the Google Play app store.
As mentioned, the longer wheelbase means more interior room, and the second row really benefits the most, with increased leg-, knee-, and headroom. The cargo area also grows in size and offers a lower load floor.
Under the hood, the standard 187-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine carries over from the previous model to the new 2026 CX-5. It mates with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. Mazda says it benefits from updated tuning for sharper responses. Sadly, the outgoing model's more powerful turbo 2.5-liter will not be available in the 2026 CX-5, despite that engine still being available in the similarly sized CX-50. A CX-5 Hybrid is in the works that Mazda says will arrive for the 2027 model year.
On the road, the new CX-5 remains an easy and fun car to drive. Due to the lack of the turbocharged engine in the new model, I think the previous model with the turbo was still more entertaining to drive. Still, though the new CX-5 continues to have responsive handling and the naturally aspirated engine provides linear power delivery. The new CX-5 isn t particularly quick, taking about 8 seconds to reach 60 mph. Hopefully the turbocharged engine will eventually make its way into the new CX-5.
The CX-5 will be available in five different trim levels, with the base being the 2.5 S. Pricing starts at $31,485. The other trim levels include the 2.5 S Select, 2.5 S Preferred, 2.5 S Premium and the 2.5 Premium Plus. The tester is a 2.5 Premium Plus with an MSRP of $41,080.
When designing the new CX-5, Mazda clearly wasn't blind to the previous CX-5's shortcomings. And while the CX-5 has always been known for its fun-to-drive and sharp handling characteristics, Mazda also knows that most people choose a compact SUV more for their practicality. That being said, the new CX-5 hits on all those points by increasing passenger and storage room and completely redesigning the interior and adding a touchscreen infotainment system, all while retaining its fun-to-drive attitude. With these changes, the new Mazda CX-5 will have no problem continuing to be the brand's best-selling vehicle in the U.S.