Mazda’s best-selling CX-5 crossover is upsized for its third generation, with more space and more practicality than ever.
The CX-5 is Mazda’s “most important global model,” says the Japanese company, and more than 4.7 million have been sold worldwide since 2011. The CX-5 first arrived in the U.S. in 2012 with almost 1.7 million cars finding homes since.
For the 2026 model year, the CX-5 has grown in stature. It’s now 184.65 inches long, 73.23 inches wide, and 66.73 inches high. Most importantly, the wheelbase has been increased by 4.53 inches, and that’s said to result in a noticeably more roomy rear cabin. Shoulder, leg, and head space have all gone up, says Mazda.
Making access to the rear seats easier, the door hinges have been redesigned to open wider. The rear hatch opens higher, and the floor is lower, so storing stuff in the trunk is more manageable. On top of that, the trunk itself is now larger.
Also increased in size is the CX-5’s central display, which is now 15.6 inches across. The CX-5 becomes the first Mazda to run a Google-powered system on this touchscreen. The good news is that it will be faster and more user-friendly than Mazda’s previous infotainment, but the bad news is that a number of physical buttons have disappeared. The slightly unintuitive rotary controller probably won’t be missed, but the absence of proper switches for climate controls might be a decision Mazda comes to regret. On the plus side, center console space has been made available for a wireless phone charger.
The display dominates an otherwise clean cabin design that continues to build on Mazda’s vastly improved quality. Much the same can be said of the exterior, which is an evolution of the Kodo—Soul of Motion philosophy. There’s a more pronounced nose that follows the template set by the larger CX-70 and CX-90, and the CX-5’s angled wheel arches are drawn from the 2023 Iconic SP concept car.
Under the skin, there’s not a huge amount to shout about, with the 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G powertrain carrying over from before, although there have been some updates to the suspension to improve ride quality and road holding.
The CX-5’s updates were announced by Mazda’s European press office, so the timing of its release in the States and its pricing here have yet to be revealed. Stay tuned.
That screen is horrendous and ruins an otherwise desirable vehicle.
Why manufacturers insist on commodifying their interiors and becoming just like every other car interior is beyond me.
For Mazda to do this is inexplicable, as it’s a company that has always forged its own path, which was admirable.
Mazda squandering their corporate identity to play follow the leader is a huge mistake.
This is sad to see. If they left the ac controls, etc. from before with this screen I would say it’s an upgrade. Everything on the touch screen is an automatic No for me.
