2026 Mazda CX-5

It's a popular compact crossover built upon 'Zoom-Zoom' architecture and totally redesigned for the 2026 model year.  

Say hello to the next-generation CX-5, adding a substantial 4.5-inches to overall length with a wheelbase (distance between front and rear axle) increasing by the same dimensions. Height and width each grow by a half inch. A slightly lower lift-in height now helps when loading bulky items into the rear hatch region. Larger side doors ease ingress and egress especially welcome and noticeable with second-row entry. Mazda debuted the high-volume, competitively priced CX-5 in the 2013 model year.  

This third-generation effort best describes as evolutionary rather than revolutionary as CX-5 represents Mazda's best-selling offering in America. The second-generation effort soldiered on for nine years, quite a long time in automotive speak. During the 2025 calendar year, 136,335 units sold, a healthy 1.7 percent higher than the previous 12-month cycle. Total U.S. Mazda sales in 2025 reached 410,346. The next closest vehicle in total sales is the similar-sized and closely named CX-50 (note the extra '0').  

Yes CX-5 and CX-50 represent two distinct compact five-rider crossovers within Mazda showrooms. The compact duo's newcomer, CX-50, debuted in the 2023 model year with a comparatively rugged exterior with a hint more off-pavement attitude. A gas-electric CX-50 hybrid option arrived in 2025. Mazda assembles CX-50 in Huntsville, Alabama with an eye specifically aimed at the American market while CX-5 takes a more global outlook. Both CX-5 and CX-50 target a budget-minded target audience with both offering a starting price under $30,000 ($29,990 to be exact).  

In Mazda-speak, the CX prefix designates a crossover body style with the numbered suffix indicating vehicle size; the larger the suffix, the larger the vehicle. For example, our CX-5 tester enjoys a larger footprint then the compact CX-30, but smaller dimensions than the CX-70. Mazda's MX prefix (think MX-5 Miata roadster) denotes it's iconic, affordable roadster with two-seat open-top comfort and the genesis of 'Zoom-Zoom' marketing. A single, stand-alone numeral (think the compact Mazda 3) denotes sedan/hatchback body styles. Mazda offers a wide array of small and mid-sized offerings built from unibody (car-like) platforms with no body-on-frame pickup trucks or Sport Utility Vehicles dotting its showroom.  

One engine choice powers all trims, a change from 2025 when CX-5 offered up an optional turbocharged four-cylinder. The naturally-aspirated (non-turbo) 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder version returns with few changes for 2026 continuing to pump out 187 horses and teamed with a six-speed automatic transmission. No all-electric (EV) offerings dot Mazda dealers here in the U.S. but rumors hint to a gas-electric CX-5 hybrid option arriving in the not-too-distant future.  

The 15.3-gallon tank accepts regular, 87-octane fuel. Expect decent fuel-economy mileage for an all-wheel-drive internal combustion engine variant of 24 miles per gallon city and 30 mpg highway. 

All CX-5 trims include Mazda's i-Active all-wheel drive, a part-time design automatically reacting to changing roadway conditions. It's been standard since 2022 and differs from full-time, all-wheel drive which keeps all four wheels active when the engine hums. The front-wheel drive biased part-time design seamlessly and automatically switches to all wheel drive when a cadre of on-board sensors detect even the slightest hint of slips. No levers to pull or buttons to push helping the driver focus on the road ahead.  

Also standard, G-vectoring control plus, delivering a constant steering feel while keeping passengers planted during spirited turns and lane changes. As driver's steer out of a corner, GVC Plus applies a light brake force through reduced engine torquing to outer wheels motivating the vehicle back into to a straight-line motion. This seamless added value also limits slippage during inclement weather. The G-Vectoring helps CX-5 raise the bar providing a sporty, responsive, planted experience with minimal body lean differing from many other compact crossover competitors.  

Five trims arrive in 2026 including: Base, Select, Preferred, Premium and top-shelf Premium Plus. The higher one travels up the trim level ladder, the greater the volume of standard fare with few option packages or stand-alone choices to ponder. Besides the premium exterior body colors, factory options remain minimal.  

Our Rhodium while Premium Plus tester with black interior included a starting price of $38,990. The only factory extra was the $595 hit for the premium exterior white paint. Factoring in the $1,495 destination charge, the bottom line reached $41,080, the most opulent CX-5 choice available in 2026.  

All trims include a decent array of standard equipment with top-trim Premium Plus adding a few unique touches including: adaptive front lighting that swivels in time with the steering wheel, radar-enhanced front cross traffic alert and lane-change assist, steering wheel paddle shifters allowing drivers to manually select through the six-speed transmission without a foot clutch and a 360-view monitor/camera built into the supersized center screen. Standard in all CX-5 trims; radar-enhanced cruise control keeping a safe distance between CX-5 and the vehicle ahead on the highway, blind spot assist, front/rear parking sensors and traffic sign recognition within the digital dashboard.  

The large, square, 12.9-inch, thin, flat screen extends up beyond the dashboard top with multi-function touch-sensitive capabilities. No dials are present to control volume or station presets which can add to some frustration. It's easiest to monitor volume levels from secondary functions on the steering wheel's 9 o'clock wing. In fact, multiple screen interactions conveniently operate from the manually adjusting steering column/wheel.  

The touch screen's bottom edge gets reserved for in-row HVAC functions when adjusting fan direction, temperature and fan speed, although two small physical buttons below the screen handle front and rear defrosting functions. This represents an update from Gen Two when Mazda Connect teamed with two different-sized rotary twist dials and four push buttons flanking the larger dial (used to monitor an in-screen highlight bar) between front bucket seats. 

Premium Plus solely opts for a super-sized 15.6-inch screen, one of the largest in the compact segment. Under the sizeable screen, two manually adjustable air vents. Remaining front air vents locate higher up in the corners of the upper dash. A circular, illuminated electronic push-style start/stop button resides on the dash left of the big screen. 

The six-speed automatic transmission shifter situates between front buckets with a large, easy-grab knob which mechanically travels back to select park, reverse, neutral and drive. Just ahead, dual side-by-side beverage holders. Towards the rear, a flat single pad used to wirelessly power up participating Smart Phones in all trims sans Base. It sits just ahead of an arm rest doubling as a storage container with long, vertical halves opening independently to gain access to a pair of USB Type C ports for those seeking cord connections.  

The newly minted, all-digital, 10.25-inch LCD instrument panel housed under a half-moon-styled shade arch provides a smartly designed, informative layout that's easier to master than the center touch screen thanks to push buttons on the steering wheel. The previous second-generation design included a trio of mostly analog dials with a smattering of digital dignity.  

Second-row seatbacks include a 40/20/40 split with the outboard backrests retracting a few inches in all trims with premium and premium plus adding heated seat cushions and leather-ish materials. Two adults fit with maximum comfort in this compact crossover while three pre-teens could squeeze together if needed. Leg room improves in 2026 no matter what size the passenger. All four doors feature thick black grab bars, handy when closing from a sitting position. Peek under the flat floor behind row two and find a temporary spare tire, not just a flimsy inflater kit. With second-row prone, the cargo area measures 33.7 cubic feet, an increase from Gen Two of 3.7 cubic feet.  

Round wheel wells frame the four tires with black highlighting that extends down below side doors and both the front and rear ends. A horizontal side character line extends straight across from the front fender back to taillight wrap-around housing a few inches above the body-colored strap-like door handles. Two outboard, circular exhaust pipes peek out from under the bumper.  

The power hatch includes a wiper swiping up from the window's base. Premium Plus hatches include a hands-free operation requiring a foot swipe. Both Premium and Premium Plus arrive standard with a power panoramic sunroof sliding back enough allowing first-row occupants to enjoy a spray of fresh air. Up front, a slightly scaled down U-shaped grille with the 'flying M log' dead center rests among a diamond-like black checkered background.  

At A Glance: 2026 Mazda CX-5 
Price as tested: $41,080 
Engine: 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder  
Horsepower: 187 
Torque: 186 lb.-ft.  
Wheelbase: 110.8 inches 
Overall Length: 184.6 inches 
Overall Width: 73.2 inches 
Overall Height: 66.7 inches 
Fuel Economy: 24 mpg city/ 30 mpg highway 
Curb Weight: 3,856 pounds 
Powertrain warranty: Five years/60,000 miles 
Assembly: Hiroshima, Japan