For 2026, Mazda has finally updated their best-selling CX-5. Some updates are good, like more interior space. But others, not so much like the massive, monolithic iPad on the center console. So, have they ruined the only sensible crossover with a soul just to please their accounting department?
Performance
Engine – Let’s start with what they’ve changed under the hood. The standard 2.5L naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine remains. It produces 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. However, Mazda has dropped the turbocharged version of this engine. In its place will be a new hybrid engine but that won’t come until next year.
Despite the CX-5 not having a tubochared engine anymore, this 2.5L that it does have is perfectly adequate for it. It gets it up to speed within a reasonable amount of time and you don’t need to “full-throttle it” every time you want to overtake slower traffic on highways. It also gives a nice surge of torque. That peak of 186 lb-ft is reached at 4,000 rpms and in everyday driving, you can feel that build up to the peak torque. Again, it’s not a fast crossover, but it’s perfectly fine for everyday traffic or highway merging.
Fuel Economy – With the bigger engine and the transmission that this 2026 Mazda CX-5 uses, the fuel economy is not as good as some of its competitors. It’s rated for 9.9 L/100km in a city and 7.9 L/100km on a highway. In the real world, those numbers are easily achievable as I averaged 8.8 L/100km during my time with the CX-5. But those numbers are still quite high considering that most of the competitors, without hybrid engines, can average about 1 L/100km less than this.
Transmission – Part of the reason for the high fuel consumption numbers is the automatic transmission that this engine is paired with. It’s a 6-speed automatic. Yes, 6 gears. But you know what? It works. It doesn’t hut around like a 9 or 10-speed auto and it doesn’t drone like a CVT food blender. It just does its job without any fuss.
Braking – Stopping the Mazda CX-5 are just regular brakes that you’d find on all other SUVs. However, Mazda has managed to make the brake pedal feel like what you’d find in a sports sedan. It doesn’t take much effort to bring the CX-5 to a stop in everyday traffic and it feels firm under harder braking applications.
Handling – The 2026 CX-5 gets a slightly longer wheelbase over the outgoing model. But even with the extended length, the CX-5 remains as an enjoyable driving crossover. It comes standard with AWD, which isn’t the most sophisticated system out there but it’ll get you out of a snow drift. The steering is nicely weighted whether it’s in the Normal or Sport drive mode. You turn the wheel, and the front end reacts like an eager puppy. And with the 187 hp of the engine, the car feels playful for what it is. It doesn’t try to scare you, it’s accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Comfort
Ride Comfort – With the longer wheelbase, the ride of the Mazda CX-5 has improved slightly. The ride is still on the firm side when compared to something like the Nissan Rogue, but you can go for long road trips without feeling like you’ve been at the gym for an hour. The front seats are also a pleasure to sit in for long periods. I took the 2026 CX-5 on a little road trip and I didn’t feel any numbness or pain in my back after a few hours of driving.
Interior Space – The longer wheelbase pays dividends in the back seats. Behind my taller than average 6’4” driving position, I can comfortably sit without my knees touching the back of the front seat. Additionally, headroom is great too. Best of all, the 2026 Mazda CX-5’s rear doors open at almost 90 degrees just like the Honda CR-V. So getting in and out or loading a car seat is that much easier in this new crossover.
Behind the seats, the CX-5 now has 954 L of space. Fold down these 40/20/40 backrests and cargo capacity increases to 1,882 L. There isn’t much small item storage under the trunk floor but you do get a temporary spare wheel instead of a tire repair kit.
Noise, Vibration, & Harshness – The 2026 Mazda CX-5 isn’t any louder, but also not any quieter, than most of its competitors. When accelerating from a stop, you can hear the engine’s rpms. Thankfully, it doesn’t sound like a dying hornet. Mazda makes their engines sound as though they have some muscle. Road noise from the tires is the most prevalent sound that intrudes into the cabin on highways but it’s not overly obtrusive to the point where you have to shout to your passengers. But the engine auto start/stop is quite noticeable and annoying. I had to turn it off every time I drove the CX-5.
Odds and Ends
Pricing – As is the norm these days, the 2026 Mazda CX-5 is more expensive than before. It now starts at $36,300 CAD with this fully loaded GT trim costing $47,200 CAD.
Gadgets – For that money, this CX-5 is loaded with a lot of stuff including heated seats in all four corners along with a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats, there’s the panoramic sunroof that lets in a lot of light, there’s also a head-up display, surround view cameras, a wireless phone charging pad, dual-zone automatic climate control, a hands-free power liftgate and parking sensors all round to name a few.
One of the biggest new gadgets is the new infotainment system. Mazda has gotten rid of their old setup for one that is Google based. That means that it has Google Maps and Google Assistant built in. It’s displayed on a 15.6-inch touchscreen but this screen is only available on the top spec GT trim with the Premium package optioned. All other CX-5’s get a 12.9-inch touchscreen. The graphics of this new screen and infotainment system look great apart from the CX-5 model that’s in the background of the Home page. There’s a lot of pixelation. But the rest of the fonts and designs are crisp. Navigating through this infotainment is fairly intuitive with it reminding me more of Stellantis’ Uconnect system.
Interior Design – Up to now, the changes to the 2026 Mazda CX-5 have been good. But the interior is the biggest disappointment of the 2026 CX-5. Firstly, the materials are not quite as good as they once were. Yes, there are lashings of leather across the dashboard and door panels but the previous generation had more of it in more places. The old one also had gloss black plastic, which wasn’t the best material to use on a center console, but this new one’s dull plastic is just that, dull.
But by far the biggest downgrade of this 2026 CX-5 is the lack of physical controls. Want to change the radio volume? You have to use the touchscreen. Want to change the climate temperature? Use the touchscreen. Want to turn on the heated seats? Use the touchscreen. Want to turn off the auto start/stop? Use the touchscreen. Want to recall the driver seat memory? Say it with me, use the touchscreen. Everything is in the touchscreen.
All of these functions used to have physical controls. Granted, some of them you can use the steering wheel mounted touch sensitive controls, like the volume, or use voice commands, which work fine but take a lot longer to get the job done. But the ironic thing is that Mazda themselves have said in the past that their old rotary knob and physical controls were less distracting to use while driving than a touchscreen. So what gives Mazda? Why did you follow all the other sheep?
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that I don’t want a touchscreen in cars. I just want some physical controls for commonly used functions without needing to press the touchscreen 3 or 4 times or interacting with an AI to get a function changed. The Lexus IS or Honda CR-V are great examples of this blend of physical and touchscreen controls.
Exterior Design – On the outside, there are no touchscreens, thankfully. But the 2026 CX-5 still looks like a CX-5 but one that’s been modernized. The front looks a bit more chiseled out compared to the last model. The DRLs look sharp and the grille looks a bit more intimidating. Out back, the taillights look just as sharp as the front ones, you still get real exhaust pipes, but they’ve gotten rid of the Mazda logo. Now, it actually says “Mazda” on the liftgate, just to make sure that everyone knows what brand this is.
Safety – The 2026 Mazda CX-5 comes equipped with nearly every safety & driver aid that is available on the 2026 CX-5. The only notable additions are with the Premium Package which include surround view cameras, front cross traffic alert with automatic braking, lane change assist, adaptive front headlights, and driver monitoring.
Warranty – The 2026 Mazda CX-5 has a 3 year / unlimited km basic warranty and a 5 year / unlimited powertrain warranty. In the United States, the warranty is 3 year / 36,000 mile basic & 5 year / 60,000 mile powertrain. For more info on Canadian warranty, click here. For more info on U.S.A. warranty, click here.
Conclusion – So, what’s the verdict on the new Mazda CX-5? Well, in my opinion, it feels like Mazda sold their soul to please their account department. I’m not bothered about the turbo engine being gone, in fact I look forward to the new hybrid powertrain. And I also don’t mind the new infotainment system. And I do like the more spacious interior while retaining some of the driving enjoyment.
My issue is with the lack of any physical controls for commonly used functions. That, and the driving dynamics, are what made the old CX-5 stand out in this crowded crossover market. But now, having to look away from the road to make sure I’ve selected the function I wanted to select is distracting and dangerous. Plus, the interior doesn’t seem like that big of a step up from the old generation, even on this top spec trim.
So, it’s a bigger and still fun to drive crossover but it now feels like it’s missing its soul and uniqueness.
Thank you to Mazda Canada for providing the 2026 CX-5. www.Mazda.ca
2026 Mazda CX-5 Gallery
