2026 Mazda CX-5 AWD - Bottom Line Review

VOLUME ZOOM-ZOOM SERVED THRICE: Automotive enthusiasts become excited about bread & butter models as easily as two hydrogen atoms,palling with a single oxygen atom, enjoy an Arctic winter. Except when the ordinary is the yield of the Japanese maker of Jinba Ittai. When launched in 2017, the second generation Mazda CX-5 firmly established itself as the driver focused compact crossover vehicle, refined enough to pull away a fair number of prestige shoppers.

Remaining slender, curvaceous appealing nearly a decade on, other small family crossover competition had moved on in critical criteria of versatility of space and user interface. Arriving from Hiroshima without P.T. Barnum fanfare, this year brings the third iteration of Zoom Zoom small family ute, the 2026 Mazda CX-5.

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WHAT: 2026 Mazda CX-5 2.5 Premium Plus AWD. The third generation KM platform two-row compact family crossover utility vehicle runs on a 3.0" longer wheelbase than its KF series predecessor.

Power + Drivetrain: Skyactiv G 2.5L DOHC 16V DI + PI petrol I-4, 6-speed automatic torque converter planetary transaxle, viscous clutch all-wheel drive*

• 187 horsepower, 186 pound-feet lb-ft @ 4000 r.p.m.

*Hybrid electric supplement option expected after 2027 MY

WHAT (A) STYLING DIFFERENCE(S): Not messing with success, the third generation Mazda CX-5 tweaks details from its predecessor's Kodo "aiming for the sky" exterior look. Subtle outboard hood creases cross onto the upper Mako shark nose. Borrowing from the bigger sibling CX-90, a slightly slimmer, faceted "U" grille, contains larger dark nub link inserts. Flanking, wrap-around outboard angel eyes DRL / directional lighting form the wings to the upper grille edge. The body color middle chin features greater protrusion. The inverted trapezoid lower valance also bears lateral outboard straking, and inboard cross framing, spanning to the front wheel arch leading edge.

The high beltline remains, with a near barrel shape fuselage, save for a front door fore and 2nd Row door aft vertical flaring. The D pillar kink grows, nearly pinching off the upper half. Middle rising gloss dark side spats match the flared wheel arches, with their 12 o'Clock rectangular blocks. A more prominent roof spoiler gets the gloss black buttress treatment.

The liftgate, itself, eschews its former bulbous convexity for a more planar, layered shape. While it retains the license plate bowl, it is taller, therefore making power assistance more imperative than in the past. In another nod to the Mazda CX-90, the mid-liftgate tier hosts inverted wrap-around inboard lateral boomerang taillights.

Bumper covers are now more recessed, which offers less liftgate protection from impacts. The characteristic dual polished exhaust tips have been retained.

With accents, the new CX-5 aspires to evoke more authority and less cuteness than its predecessor:

• "MAZDA" lettering across mid liftgate frame replaces heritage emblem
• All bumper covers, arches, spats, window frames and wings mirrors are fully darkened, lower trims in matte, higher trims glossy
• All wheels are either fully darkened or have dark contrasting spokes.

WHY: Mazda's bread & butter Rider in Steed compact family sport ute has meaningfully grown.

WHEN: On-Sale (in the U.S.) Spring 2026

WHERE: Mazda new vehicle dealers

WHERE MADE: Ujina, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan

WHERE TO: Viscous clutch e-differential, PTU all-wheel; front/ rear traction from 100:0% to 50:50%

• Mi-Drive Trail mode can cut traction control, engage the rear electric motor, and engage Hill Descent Control when encountering muddy ravines.
• 8.2"-inches ground clearance, no undercarriage protective plates

HOW ROADWORTHY: Skyactiv G inline-4 power has been a Mazda mainstay since 2013, so the new third generation 2026 CX-5 has stayed with the proven atmospheric 2.5 liter version, plus start-stop idle, minus cylinder de-activation. (Inexplicably, the turbocharged version has been sacked, and a battery hybrid mill is on hold.) While it won't set hearts afire, the throttle response is eager and the aging six speed, pleasingly retaining a traditional center console shift lever, doesn't mind holding gears until reaching ethereal revolutions. Along with a shorter final drive ratio, any rubber-band effect in traffic is more subtle, while motorway passing generates a bit less angst. And for a volume naturally aspirated four-pot Mazda has imbued the frantic mechanical activity with some raspiness.

Playing Driver in Steed crossover, the new Mazda CX-5 relies on a stiffer chassis tune that most of its competition. Though the five inch wheelbase stretch makes for a more supple ride than a torsion beam rear axle equipped CX-50, the added mass caps the damping impact on crevice impacts, resulting in a bit of remnant quaking. Overall the cabin is judged more quieted from outside sounds, keeping in line with a premium touring theme.

A pleasantly winding helm is reprised with a share of road communication, and lane change control impresses. Mazda's G-vectoring power reduction entering sharper corners is more obvious to counter body pitch. Disc brake pedal action is linear without becoming taxing, however the highway terrain Toyo tires likely extend slowing distance.

• Cross-wind pitch is negligible and cabin entombment considerable further enshrining the premium aspects of the 2026 Mazda CX-5.

HOW FAR: 24 combined miles per gallon. 459 miles highway range.

HOW BIG/ LITTLE: The growth spurt behind the 1st Row will be the second thing any 2nd generation owner will notice inside the all-new 2026 Mazda CX-5 [after the jumbo media display]. 2nd Row knee clearance clears an extra 2 1/2 inches than before.

For Comparison's Sake to 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan:

• 110.8" = +0.9" inches
• 39.9"-inches Row 2 legroom = -0.2" inches
• cargo capacity = +27% nominal, +13% expanded
• 1500 lbs. tow rating = -300 pounds

HOW USEFUL: Even the cargo bay of the new CX-5 has been lengthened, permitting nearly 3 inches longer loads with 2nd Row seatbacks folded. Mid-height carpeted walls return for luxurious noise abatement and load protection. Additionally, a CX-5 wouldn't top a CX-50 without the 2nd Row folding center pass through, so that skier delight has been reprised.

√ Variable height power liftgate + approach activation; √ Near flat folding 40/ 20/40% split 2nd Row tilting seatbacks w/ twin cargo bay remote cable release levers; √ Mini-spare load floor cover hooked tether

Not So Useful: -1 No cargo bay wall bag hooks

HOW SAFE: IIHS 2026 Top Safety Pick Plus trophy; √ 10 airbags, √ Rear camera w/ predictive gridlines + tow hitch guide, √ Sonar audible front & rear park assist

Driver assist technology: i-ActiveSense Level 2.0 autonomy: √ Smart City collision avoidance braking + pedestrian detection; √ Blind spot, rear cross traffic warning + braking; √ Lane departure warning with selectable vibration/ chime; √ Emergency Lane keep assist; √ Adaptive cruise control - full + speed limit assist; √ Traffic sign detection; √ Occupant traffic exit warning; √ Driver attention warning; √ e-parking brake auto hold; √ Auto high beam headlamps; √ Rain sensing, windshield wipers

• Available - included on CX-5 Premium Plus: Adaptive headlights, Cross turn avoidance, Head-up display, Driver monitor, 360 degree surround cameras + underbody views + perimeter scan, Cruising support + lane tracing + lane change assist, Windshield wiper de-icer + heated wing mirrors

Available (included on Premium Plus): Surround view cameras; Road sign recognition; Heads Up Display; De-icing windshield & liftgate wipers; Heated wing mirrors; Front & rear cross traffic braking

+1 Expansive forward sightline view, Versatile seat height adjustment, Ease of ingress

-1 Still a tall beltline; Thick aft pillar blind spots, 2nd Row headrests impede backlight view

HOW PEOPLE FRIENDLY: The previous (2nd KF) generation CX-5 established Mazda firmly as an artisan volume automotive couturer, offering colors and materials rivaling entry prestige brands. Nonetheless tariffs and competition have been felt by Mazda. Consequently, the top 2026 CX-5 Premium Plus trim is less bespoke than the previous Signature offering. While nicely appointed, lavish covered pillars, metallic, wood or microsuede accents of old have been ditched in favor of less ornate business digs. More hard plastics than desired are included while door pulls are disappointingly too far forward.

• New steering wheel boss, revised spokes with matte flat panel controls, and "MAZDA" lettered boss
• +1 Longer front bucket seat cushions + upright pelvic angles cosset glutes much better than before
• -1 Accessing driver audio, climate adjustments & seat program settings exclusively via the media screen

Previously criticized for center console remote knob operation of a small -ish dashtop media display, the 2026 CX-5 has gone whole hog new tech adopting a Google Built-In platform. With a subscribed wireless data service, it brings a new day for system voice controls and an upper center stack up-sized from the slim 10.25" to sizable 13" (and optionally monstrous 15.6") inch capacitive touch multi-function displays. The new set-up is absolutely nary any physical toggles or knobs.

All the switch-free space outside of the door, has liberated space in theory but not by as much as some competitors. While the center console armrest bin has widened with clamshell opening, it lacks meaningful depth. At least power window motors wind more smoothly and turn signal flashers can be nearly muted.

√ Leather seats, heated front & rear, cooled front; √ 10-way driver / 6-way power seats w/ 2 driver memory settings + posture optimization + exit seat slide; √ Heated leather steering wheel with spoke integrated smooth touch pad controls; √ 10.25" inch color TFT three style gauge cluster; √ Overhead console retracting sunglass bin; √ Clamshell center console storage bin + aft 2nd Row vents, seat heater switches, connection ports; ♦ Panorama power moonroof

Cool Gizmo(s): √ Driver Personalization (available) - infrared facial recognition adjusted seat, steering, wing mirror, HUD, and posture optimization - 6 driver profiles, 2 variations per driver

Details Done Right: √ Leather seating, featuring contrast seam stitching; √ Matching leatherette flap middle dash & middle door cards; √ Soft pad steering wheel spoke controls; √ Precision finish, tactile, intuitive switchgear; √ Cargo bay mid-rise wall carpeting; √ Acoustic laminated front (and 1st Row door in higher trim) glass

Nearly Non-Descript: -1 Non-padded center console saddle; -1 Remote key fob non-distinctive buttons; -1 Hard plastic windshield edge dashtop & driver's cowl.

HOW CONNECTED: √ Upper center stack 15.6" inch flat-panel LCD split landscape touch infotainment + customizable widgets; √ Bluetooth hands-free communication; √ Voice command hands-free communications; √ SMS with stored contacts photos;

Power + Data Ports: √ USB-C x 4, 12V x 1; √ Qi wireless charging pad just forwards of front center armrest bin

Audibly Speaking: 425 W, 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint 2.0 audio; Linear sound mode enhances spatiality, high bit-rate lossless streaming via Google Play apps

HOW "APP" -LICABLE: √ wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, projection + capacitve touch display controls

By Subscription: Google Built-In native navigation, Google Assistant vehicle commands & queries; √ Sirius XM (90 days trial) ; √ My Mazda app including remote access 12 month trial, 10 yrs. emergency services; Wi-Fi by Verizon Wireless; 6 months or 2 GB cabin hot spot trial

• +1 Google widgets & apps, including
• -1 No physical audio volume or tuning knob
• +/- No Amazon Alexa convenience commands (replaced by Google Built-In)
• +/- No gauge cluster media map projection

HOW MUCH: $41,180 = 2026 Mazda CX-5 2.5 Premium Plus AWD price as tested (including 8 years, 100k miles hybrid components warranty)

WHAT'S MISSING: Better fuel economy or a hybrid option; 2nd generation CX-5 cabin material & artistry

ANY COMPETITION: Honda CR-V: available hybrid, user friendly cockpit; Hyundai Tucson: available hybrid, bolder styling; Toyota RAV4 Hybrid: efficiency; Volkswagen Tiguan: available Turbo Turbo power, plush cabin

2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid - Bottom Line Review

ZOOM-ZOOM TO FEWER FUMES: To the followers of Zoom Zoom motoring, Mazda new car dealerships have always been welcoming car caves. The brand is respected for Kaizen incremental improvements to its products. However, the Japanese volume enthusiast automaker has not exactly embraced admirers of revolutionary zero tailpipe emissions contingent.

RoadBlazingGeorge Straton