2026 Mazda CX-5 Redesign First Drive: Among compact SUV enthusiasts, the Mazda CX-5 has earned a reputation as the segment’s “thinking person’s choice” — a practical family vehicle that happens to reward good driving in ways that the RAV4, CR-V, and Tucson simply don’t. The steering has feel. The chassis has balance. The interior has taste. For buyers who spend time actually driving their cars rather than just commuting in them, the CX-5 has been the default recommendation for over a decade.
The 2026 Mazda CX-5 — a complete third-generation redesign — arrives at dealers now, and first drive reviews from The Drive, WardsAuto, Consumer Reports, and others have been arriving over the past few weeks. The verdict is consistent: this is the best CX-5 Mazda has ever built, with meaningful improvements in interior space, technology, and safety without compromising the driving character that made the original great.
Here’s the full story on what changed, what stayed the same, and who should be buying one.
What’s New: A Bigger, More Spacious CX-5
The most important change in the 2026 CX-5 is dimensional. The wheelbase grows by 4.5 inches — a substantial increase that translates directly into meaningful rear-seat legroom improvement. This was the original CX-5’s most common criticism: comfortable in the front, tight in the back. The 2026 model addresses this comprehensively.
The vehicle is also 3.2 inches taller than the outgoing CX-50, and the cargo area has been redesigned with a lower lift-in height and a more practical shape. The rear seatback is a new 40/20/40 split-folding configuration, allowing more flexible cargo loading. Reviewers who tested the car with luggage consistently noted the improvement.
Externally, the design evolves rather than reinvents. The CX-5 retains its signature Kodo “Soul of Motion” proportions — the silhouette is recognizably CX-5 — but gains a sharper, more chiseled front fascia with a new angular wing grille flanked by more aggressive LED lighting. The wider front end gives it a more confident stance, drawing design inspiration from the larger CX-70 and CX-90 models.
Available on top trims: 19-inch wheels that significantly enhance the car’s presence on the road.
The Technology Upgrade: Mazda Finally Gets a Big Screen 
Every prior-generation CX-5 came with a 10.25-inch infotainment display — good for its time but increasingly behind a segment that has moved to 12-inch and larger screens as standard. The 2026 model fixes this directly.
The standard screen steps up to 12.9 inches, and the top S Premium Plus trim gets an optional 15.6-inch integrated touchscreen — the largest display ever offered in a Mazda vehicle, and one of the larger screens in the compact SUV segment. The CX-5 S Premium Plus is currently the largest-screened vehicle in its class.
Critically, Mazda integrated Google built-in (complimentary for one year) — giving owners direct access to Google Maps, YouTube Music, Google Assistant, and the Play Store without needing a phone connection. The system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well. An upcoming update will add Gemini AI assistant functionality for even more capable voice interaction.
The physical controls story is interesting: Mazda reduced many dedicated buttons in the new design but developed a more intuitive touchscreen interface in response to customer feedback about too many layers in previous software. Multiple input methods — touchscreen, steering wheel buttons, and voice commands — are all viable ways to adjust most functions. First drive reviewers found the interface genuinely improved over previous generations.
A standard Google Assistant voice control handles frequently used functions — climate adjustments, volume, navigation — with good accuracy in testing.
What Stayed the Same: The Powertrain (And That’s Fine)
The 2026 CX-5 continues with the proven 2.5-liter SkyActiv-G naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard i-Activ all-wheel drive across the lineup. AWD standard on every trim is a meaningful differentiator — many rivals charge extra for it or reserve it for higher trims.
The powertrain receives subtle refinements: a slightly smaller exhaust-gas cooler improves throttle response, and the transmission logic has been recalibrated for more natural shift points. The larger wheelbase also allowed for a bigger torque coupling in the AWD system, improving its ability to maintain performance in deep snow or sustained off-road conditions without thermal overheating.
Is 187 horsepower enough? For most buyers, yes. The CX-5 has never been about acceleration numbers — it’s about how the car responds to driver inputs, and the 2026 model retains the linearity and communicativeness that enthusiast reviewers have praised consistently. Reviewers from The Drive describe it as still earning the badge of “the cheap crossover that doesn’t suck to drive.”
One thing missing: A hybrid version. Mazda has confirmed a hybrid CX-5 is coming for the 2027 model year, but the 2026 launch is gas-only. For buyers specifically seeking hybrid fuel economy in the compact SUV class, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Honda CR-V Hybrid, or Hyundai Tucson Hybrid are the current options. The 2027 CX-5 Hybrid will add Mazda to that list.
Safety: A Top Safety Pick+ Standard
The outgoing CX-5 was consistently one of the safest compact SUVs on the market, regularly earning IIHS Top Safety Pick+ awards. The 2026 model builds on that foundation with additional standard driver assistance features including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and rear cross-traffic alert — all standard across the lineup. New advanced ADAS features added in this generation further strengthen the safety suite.
The reinforced steel structure improves crash protection, and the larger door openings make emergency egress easier — a detail rarely mentioned but genuinely important.
Pricing: Still Among the Best Values in the Segment 
| Trim | Starting Price |
|---|---|
| 2.5 S | ~$28,690 |
| 2.5 S Preferred | ~$31,490 |
| 2.5 S Premium | ~$35,490 |
| 2.5 S Premium Plus | ~$38,990 |
The S Premium Plus at $38,990 is the recommended trim — it’s the only way to get the 15.6-inch screen, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, paddle shifters, and the full advanced driver assistance suite. At that price, it competes directly with the Toyota RAV4 XLE Premium Hybrid and Honda CR-V Hybrid EX-L, both of which it matches or exceeds on technology and driving character.
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For buyers who simply want the most engaging compact SUV to drive that money can buy under $40,000 — with strong safety scores, a premium feel interior, and the knowledge that Mazda reliability has been steadily improving for a decade — the 2026 CX-5 is the answer.
Considering the 2026 Mazda CX-5? Use our Car Loan EMI Calculator to estimate monthly payments across trims. Our Car Ownership Cost Calculator gives you total annual cost comparison. And when the 2027 hybrid arrives, our EV vs Gas Cost Calculator will help you run the fuel savings numbers.
