Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Should Automakers Redesign Popular Models?I had a bizarre thought about the automotive industry lately; should automakers actually redesign their cars? That statement might seem farfetched on the surface, but when I gauge the online reactions from owners after new versions of popular models are released, it often seems overwhelmingly negative.Jared Rosenholtz/AutoblogView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementThis could just be negativity bias because humans naturally pay more attention to bad experiences than positive ones, so they are more likely to leave a mean comment about a vehicle redesign rather than express their happiness over new features. In fact, as an example here are some comments Autoblog received on its video about the new touchscreen in the 2026 Mazda CX-5:2026 junk. Glad we bough the 2025 Signature.We own two Mazdas. But if Mazda does this with the rest of their cars, I will never buy another Mazda again.Noooo. The knobs are so convenient while driving. Whose big idea was it to put the volume adjuster on the screen?Do these angry comments have a point? Or should automakers ignore the noise?A Pretty Good TouchscreenThe 2026 CX-5 is the subject for this particular story, but I could look at any number of recent models like the Ford Mustang, Honda Prelude, or Toyota Tacoma to find examples of redesigns that were not universally loved by online shoppers and brand loyalists. Mazda made the biggest change to the CX-5's interior, where a new 12.9-inch touchscreen (or optional 15.6-inch one) replaces the outgoing system, which relied on a rotating knob controller.Jared Rosenholtz/AutoblogView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementThis new infotainment comes in lieu of nearly all physical buttons; nearly everything is now controlled via the touchscreen. For Tesla drivers, this is nothing new, but for many Mazda owners, it's a culture shock. Since I drive a new car every week, I quickly adapted to the new screen, it could be a steep learning curve for technophobic drivers.The home screen is customizable, like a smartphone, with easy drag and drop functionality for widgets like a map or a music player. Other functions are accessed via a large icon menu, also smartphone-like, with quick and easy responses. Mazda leaves a shortcut ribbon on the bottom for key functions, including the climate control. Adjusting the volume, temperature, or fan speed doesn't require leaving the current screen and you can do it without tapping the screen twice; just get your finger near what you want, then slide it left or right to adjust up or down.If that is still too complicated, the whole system is powered by Google, so it can be controlled by voice. You can say, "Hey Google, turn on my ventilated seats," and avoid any distracting touchscreen interaction. In my opinion, saying you would never buy a Mazda again because of this touchscreen is a harsh statement.Play-It-Safe StylingRather than reinventing the CX-5, Mazda chose an evolutionary approach to the third-generation's styling. Perhaps the Japanese automaker believed the interior was enough of a radical change, and it didn't want to rock the boat on too many areas. The exterior grows to 184.6 inches, an increase of over four inches thanks to a longer wheelbase.Jared Rosenholtz/AutoblogView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementThe CX-5 is now closer in size to the CX-50 (185.8 inches), but it's still taller than its more rugged counterpart. It also fills a more mainstream role in Mazda's lineup, competing more against vehicles the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 versus Subaru Outback and Toyota 4Runner, which get cross-shopped with CX-50.Joe SantosView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleRevised headlights, taillights, and a new "Mazda" script to replace the rear logo give the CX-5 a more modern appearance, but it ultimately looks broadly similar to the outgoing model. I'm not a fan of the black 19-inch wheels on the Premium and Premium Plus trim levels; they look smaller than they really are, especially given they are supposed to be the nicest option.No Change Under The Hood (Yet)Mazda didn't drastically change the CX-5's exterior, but it did even less under the hood. The 2.5-liter SkyActiv four-cylinder is the same as before, producing 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. It's even linked to the same six-speed automatic. The CX-5 is now heavier, so we recorded a lackluster 8.75-second 0-60 mph time.2026 Mazda CX-5 GT AWDCole AttishaIf you enjoyed the turbocharged engine with 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque, that's gone; it's no longer available in the CX-5, but the CX-50 still offers it. Mazda will offer the CX-5 as a hybrid, but it's coming later next year and will be developed in-house, unlike the Toyota system used in the CX-50. This should have been a higher priority, as Mazda says one-third of all CX-50 sales now come from the hybrid.What Do Buyers Want?The CX-5 makes me wonder what new car buyers actually want. There could be other factors at play, but the older CX-50 is currently outselling the newer CX-5 so far this year: 76,510 units to 74,760 as of the end of July 2026. Perhaps some buyers are put off by the CX-5's new touchscreen, they could prefer the CX-50's rugged styling, or it's available turbocharged and hybrid powertrains. It could also be myriad other reasons.2026 Mazda CX-5 GT AWDCole AttishaView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementAt the same time last year, the CX-5 (despite being older and out-of-date) was outselling the CX-50 85,799 units to 60,724. That's a pretty huge change in one year. I'd like to think the CX-5 Hybrid will boost sales tremendously when it eventually arrives, and there is usually a lag in sales when a new model enters production before an automaker ramps up to full capacity.I still think the CX-5 offers an interesting opportunity for a philosophical question, one Mazda should ask itself before the CX-50 goes for a redesign. Do buyers really want an "all-new" vehicle, and if so, what changes do they actually desire? Are big technological advances like a giant touchscreen the way forward? Or would most drivers be happy keeping familiar buttons and just get a larger screen? I think Mazda made the right decision to play it safe with the CX-5's styling, but we won't know if the third-generation is a success until the hybrid powertrain goes on sale.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 7, 2026, where it first appeared in the Cars section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.