The Mazda CX-5 has always been one of the best-handling vehicles in its segment, and the automaker’s focus on making a fun-to-drive family crossover resulted in a dedicated fan base. But for as fun as it was, the previous CX-5 had its shortcomings. The previous CX-5 suffered from a cramped rear seat, narrow door openings, and outdated tech, which limited its mass appeal. The good news is that Mazda fixed most of those issues with this third-generation model, which is bigger, longer, and fancier than before. Rubin Archilla, Mazda’s senior manager of Research & Development, told us that the company wanted the new crossover to "keep the same personality" while broadening its appeal. And for the most part, the company succeeded. If you enjoyed how the previous CX-5 drove, you’ll definitely like this new one. Quick Specs 2026 Mazda CX-5 Premium Plus Engine 2.5-Liter Four-Cylinder Output 187 Horsepower / 185 Pound-Feet Transmission Six-Speed Automatic Drive Type All-Wheel Drive Base Price / As Tested $31,485 / $41,080 The new CX-5 is 4.5 inches longer and has a longer wheelbase than the one it replaces. That new wheelbase makes it feel more stable in a straight line, and the automaker tweaked some of the software to increase steering feedback. There’s more analog feeling coming through the wheel without being as heavy or mushy as before. Mazda retuned the electric power assist to reduce damping as much as possible. That means there’s less getting in the way of feedback from the front tires. The steering effort is much lower than before, granted, but it doesn’t feel disconnected. The automaker also revamped the suspension, with updated dampers and relatively softer springs. Despite the improved hardware, the suspension setup looks the same as the outgoing model, according to Archilla, but it handles even better. Pros: Quiet, Comfortable, Still Fun To Drive The one thing now holding the Mazda back from being even more fun is the carryover 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. It produces the same 187 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque, but it now feels a bit too underpowered for the chassis. It’s still great at lower speeds, with better tip-in throttle response than before, but the power felt insufficient when pushing it through the long, twisty roads north of San Diego. I wanted more, and it made me deeply miss the outgoing turbocharged variant. But a hybrid version is coming in 2027 that should offer similar performance capabilities. Photos by: Anthony Alaniz / Motor1 The cabin is much quieter than before, and it was one of the first things I noticed once I hit the road. There’s additional sound deadening in the cargo floor and liftgate assembly, along with additional structural reinforcements around the C-pillar and rear wheelhouses. Mazda also moved the speakers in the front doors to the cowl, eliminating the hole needed for the hardware. The cabin is home to Mazda's new infotainment system. The automaker ditched its rotary control dial—for better or worse—and replaced it with a big touchscreen with Google Built-In. There are real physical buttons on the steering wheel, at least, including one for M-Drive and another for the 360-degree camera. Cons: No Physical HVAC Buttons, Underpowered, Some Cheapness There are no physical HVAC controls—or volume knob—except for the rear and front defroster, which are required on cars sold in Europe. The controls are pinned to the bottom of the touchscreen and are always accessible, but Mazda really wants you to keep your hands on the wheel. There’s a dedicated steering wheel button to engage Google’s voice control, which you can use to change the volume, temperature, and other vehicle features. I didn’t mind using my voice, but I can understand why many find it frustrating and would prefer knobs and dials for those features. Mazda truly believes the steering wheel controls and voice control should suffice, and it holds this ethos so strongly that it even placed the volume control on the passenger side of the screen. The company essentially forces the driver to use the large, tactile steering wheel buttons. What benefits the new CX-5 and its big touchscreen, available in two sizes depending on the trim, is that there aren’t too many options to fiddle with. There’s a dedicated vehicle button to access things like i-Stop, safety features, and driving position. It’s bright and responsive, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability that’s wired on the entry-level trim and wireless on higher ones. There are also large buttons dedicated to accessing the home screen, app drawer, navigation, and music. The front seats are comfortable, and the rear seats are noticeably roomier. Mazda claims there is now enough space for a child to sit in the seat with their backpack on the floor in front of them. It also made the rear sill larger, so it’s easier for kids to use as a step to get in and out of the back seat on their own. There are a few signs that Mazda tried to save money in certain places throughout the cabin. The center console in my Premium Plus model, which cost just over $40,000, was plain black plastic, along with the upper door trim, but the important bits remain quite nice, with Mazda using high-quality materials where it counts. Mazda CX-5 Verdict The 2026 Mazda CX-5 is a better vehicle than its predecessor, which we didn’t think was possible. It’s still a mass-market crossover that feels far more luxurious than its price tag suggests due to all the small, incremental changes Mazda made. But it’s also more grown-up. The lack of physical controls for the HVAC system is a disappointing development, but if it’s the sacrifice needed to maintain the CX-5's engaging driving characteristics, it’s well worth the trade-off. Mazda CX-5 Competitors Chevrolet Equinox Hyundai Tucson Honda CR-V Kia Sportage Toyota RAV 2026 Mazda CX-5 Engine 2.5-Liter Four-Cylinder Output 187 Horsepower / 185 Pound-Feet Transmission Six-Speed Automatic Drive Type All-Wheel Drive Speed 0-60 MPH 9.6 Seconds Maximum speed 116 Miles Per Hour Weight 3,865 Pounds Efficiency 24 City / 30 Highway / 26 Combined Seating Capacity 5 Towing 1,500 Pounds Cargo Volume 33.7 / 66.5 Cubic Feet Base Price $31,485 As-Tested Price $41,080 We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team
