Don’t let the recent success of the CX-50 and CX-70 fool you—the Mazda CX-5 is still the automaker’s bread and butter. Last year, record sales helped propel Mazda to its best year in company history. For 2026, Mazda aims to keep the sales momentum going by giving its best-selling model its first major makeover in nearly a decade.
Though it may look familiar on the surface, the 2026 Mazda CX-5 is entirely new from the ground up. Its wheelbase is 3.0 inches longer than before, which gives the CX-5 an extra 4.5 inches of total length as a result. At around 184.6 inches long, that brings the CX-5 closer to rivals like the Honda CR-V (184.8 inches) and Nissan Rogue (183.0 inches).
That extra length results in larger door openings for easier ingress and egress—a chief complaint of the previous model. Even though the company has yet to provide official measurements, Mazda also promises that the CX-5 has one of the roomiest second rows in its class.
Trunk space also improves thanks to that newfound length. The rear hatch has a slightly wider and half-inch lower opening for easier loading, plus buyers get an additional 2.0 inches in cargo length and an extra 1.0 inch in load height.
Kodo, Evolved
Wearing an updated version of the brand’s signature Kodo design language, the CX-5 has a unique front fascia with stacked headlights. Mazda promises that the new design language will extend to the rest of the lineup. The signature “Wing” grille is sharper, too, while additional details on the front bumper accentuate the CX-5’s now-wider stance.
The rear introduces a new “MAZDA” wordmark badge across the trunk lid (which also makes its way inside to the steering wheel), while the taillights are sharper—reminiscent of the larger CX-70. Buyers will also be able to opt for sporty 19-inch wheels on the top trim.
Hybrid Coming Soon
Powering the 2026 CX-5 is the same four-cylinder engine from last year: A naturally aspirated 2.5-liter unit making 187 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired to a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive.
But don’t worry, Mazda isn’t sticking with pure combustion power forever. In 2027, the CX-5 will get a new hybrid powertrain. Unlike the CX-50, though, which pairs a Toyota hybrid system with a 2.5-liter engine, the CX-5 will be the first Mazda with the brand’s new Skyactiv-Z engine, complete with its own hybrid system.
Mazda has already dubbed its new Skyactiv-Z unit the “ideal internal combustion engine.” And the company promises “even higher thermal efficiency and an overwhelmingly wider range” than the Skyactiv-G engine currently in the CX-5.
Big Screen—But No Buttons
Arguably, the most significant changes to the CX-5 are inside. The SUV boasts a sizable 15.6-inch center touchscreen display—the biggest on any Mazda product to date. It runs a new user interface with Google Built-In technology, complete with features like Google Assistant, Google Maps, and more.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a single hard button located on the dashboard or near the gear lever. The 2026 CX-5 ditches the former command controller and volume knob, both located near the gear shifter, for touchscreen and steering wheel controls exclusively. That said, the steering wheel controls are hard buttons; there are no flimsy touch-capacitive controls.
The CX-5 also promises a robust suite of driver assistance features, including a few new options as part of the automaker’s latest Advanced Driver Assistance System.
Pricing & Availability
There’s still plenty we don’t know about the 2026 Mazda CX-5—most notably, price.
The 2025 Mazda CX-5 starts at $30,265 with the $1,495 destination fee included. The 2026 CX-5 shouldn’t be significantly pricier than the current model, but a minor price hike could push the SUV closer to a $32,000 starting price.
The new Mazda CX-5 will likely hit dealerships before the end of the year.
Source: Motor 01
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