adminThe CX-5 has long been easy to like. It looked sharp, drove well, and felt nicer inside than many rivals. Still, it also had two clear weak spots, rear seat space and aging tech.
This mazda suv cx 5 review matters because the 2026 model finally tackles those pain points. It brings more room, fresh screens, and a cleaner cabin while keeping the same non-turbo 2.5-liter engine, 6-speed automatic, and standard all-wheel drive. That mix makes it easier to live with, but not automatically the class leader.
What is new on the 2026 Mazda CX-5, and what stayed the same
Mazda didn’t toss out the CX-5 formula. Instead, it stretched and refined it. The 2026 model rides on a longer wheelbase, offers a roomier cabin, and adds more usable cargo space, with a lower load floor that should make grocery runs and stroller duty less awkward. Rear door openings are wider too, which sounds minor until you’re leaning in with a child seat or a backpack.
Styling stays familiar, yet the new body looks cleaner and a little more grown-up. It still has that low, athletic stance, but the proportions now fit the family job better. As reported in coverage about the CX-5’s better tech and more space, the redesign is more about real usefulness than flashy sheet metal.
What stayed the same matters too. The CX-5 still uses a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. It still uses a 6-speed automatic, not a CVT, and all-wheel drive is still standard across the lineup. Base pricing starts at $29,990, which keeps it in the thick of the compact SUV fight.
The redesign fixes key complaints from the older CX-5
Older CX-5 models often felt like they were built for the front-seat passengers first. That changes here. Rear seat room is better, and that helps adults, teens, and kids in bulky booster seats. The wider rear doors also make daily life easier, because twisting around tight openings gets old fast.
Cargo use looks smarter as well. The lower floor means less lifting, and the 40/20/40 split rear seat gives the CX-5 more flexibility than the old setup. If you carry a couple of passengers and long items, like skis, a folded scooter, or a small ladder, that middle section becomes a real perk.
The biggest change may be the cabin tech, not the sheet metal
Mazda’s biggest break from the old CX-5 may be the dashboard. The new SUV gets a much larger touchscreen, 12.9 inches on lower trims and up to 15.6 inches on higher ones, plus Google built-in and Apple CarPlay. That’s a major step up from the old controller-based setup.
Still, there is a trade-off. Mazda moved away from some physical controls, especially around media and climate functions. Some drivers will love the cleaner look. Others will miss the old quick-reach buttons, because tapping a screen on a bumpy road is never as simple as turning a knob.
How the Mazda CX-5 drives every day, from city streets to highway trips
The good news is simple: the CX-5 still feels better to drive than most compact SUVs. Steering is quick and direct, body motions stay under control, and the 6-speed automatic feels more natural than the CVTs used in many rivals. In town, it responds with less droning and less rubber-band feel.
That basic character hasn’t changed, and that’s a good thing. A first drive review from Consumer Reports makes a similar point: Mazda improved space and tech, but the everyday driving feel remains one of the CX-5’s main strengths.
The 2026 CX-5 still feels like a driver’s compact SUV, even if its new mission is more family-friendly.
The ride feels polished, planted, and more premium than most compact SUVs
Ride quality is one of the CX-5’s best tricks. It doesn’t float, and it doesn’t crash over broken pavement. Instead, it feels settled, which gives it a more expensive vibe than many mainstream competitors. On the highway, it tracks well and stays composed at speed.
There is some body roll in corners, so don’t expect sports-sedan moves. Even so, the balance is impressive. It turns in cleanly, grips well, and stays calm over mid-corner bumps. That matches reports about the CX-5’s refined suspension and fun-to-drive feel, which help it stand apart in a crowded class.
Power is good enough for most drivers, but not exciting
Here’s where the story cools off. The 187-hp 2.5-liter engine is fine for commuting, school runs, errands, and the occasional road trip. Throttle response is decent, and the transmission doesn’t hunt around as much as some rivals. Around town, it feels smooth and predictable.
Yet the missing turbo changes the whole lineup. Older shoppers who liked the stronger CX-5 turbo will notice the loss right away. Passing power now takes more planning, especially with passengers or cargo on board. If you want a compact SUV that jumps when you ask, this isn’t that SUV.
Fuel economy is fine, but rivals do better
EPA ratings land at 24 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined. Those numbers are acceptable, but they won’t wow anyone. They’re the kind of figures you shrug at, not brag about.
That’s the price of sticking with a regular gas engine while rivals move harder into hybrid power. The Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 both offer more efficient versions, and hybrid buyers may want to wait for Mazda’s planned 2027 CX-5 hybrid. If mpg is near the top of your list, the CX-5 specs and pricing breakdown from Car and Driver helps put its numbers in context.
Inside the Mazda CX-5, comfort, cargo space, and features that shape daily life
From the driver’s seat, the new CX-5 still punches above its class. The dashboard looks tidy, the seating position feels natural, and the overall layout gives off a more upscale vibe than you expect at this price. Mazda still knows how to make a mainstream SUV feel special without pretending it’s a luxury badge.
Front seats should suit long drives well. Storage is decent, though not unusually clever, and visibility seems solid for daily use. Cargo capacity now tops out around 66.5 cubic feet, which is a useful gain for this model and one more reason the redesign matters.
The cabin looks upscale and feels well put together
Mazda has been strong at interiors for years, and the 2026 CX-5 keeps that streak going. Materials look richer than what you get in many mainstream compact SUVs, and the design avoids cheap-looking clutter. Soft-touch areas, tasteful trim, and a calm color palette give it a mature feel.
That doesn’t mean it’s a luxury SUV in disguise. Some plastics are still hard, and trim-level differences still matter. Even so, the CX-5 feels like a step above the average choice in this segment, which is a big part of its appeal.
More rear room makes the CX-5 easier to live with
This may be the most important update for real buyers. More knee room and legroom make the back seat less of a compromise. Adults should fit better, and kids in car seats won’t demand as much front-seat sacrifice.
The wider rear openings help too, especially in tight parking lots. Add the lower cargo floor and flexible rear seat, and the CX-5 becomes less like a stylish small SUV with family limits, and more like a true everyday family tool.
Is the Mazda CX-5 worth buying over the RAV4, CR-V, and other compact SUVs
The quick answer is yes, but only for the right buyer. The 2026 CX-5 makes a stronger case than before because it fixes real issues, not cosmetic ones. It’s more practical, still handsome, still fun to drive, and still finished with care. Standard all-wheel drive also adds value.
For a quick shopper snapshot, this is how the CX-5 stacks up against the usual names:
| SUV | Best reason to buy | Main drawback |
|---|---|---|
| Mazda CX-5 | Best driving feel, upscale cabin, standard AWD | No turbo, average mpg |
| Honda CR-V | Space, comfort, strong efficiency options | Less engaging to drive |
| Toyota RAV4 | Hybrid choices, value, broad appeal | Cabin feels less polished |
The takeaway is simple. The CX-5 wins with feel. The CR-V and RAV4 win with efficiency and broader powertrain choice.
Who will love the CX-5 most
The CX-5 fits buyers who want their compact SUV to feel a little more alive. If your drive includes curvy roads, highway miles, and daily errands, it brings more personality than most rivals. It’s also a smart pick if you care about cabin design and want standard AWD without stepping up in price.
Small families should like it more than before, because the new back seat and cargo area finally match the front-seat experience. For that reason alone, this redesign matters.
Who may be happier with a rival
Some shoppers should keep looking. If you want a hybrid right now, stronger straight-line speed, or the biggest cargo bay in the class, the CR-V and RAV4 make more sense. The same goes for drivers who prefer simple physical controls over larger touchscreens.
A few rivals also feel easier to recommend if low running costs matter most. Mazda improved the CX-5 where it needed help, but it didn’t turn it into the efficiency champ of the segment.
The 2026 CX-5 feels like the SUV it always should have been. It’s more practical now, yet it still has the poise and polish that made people like the old one in the first place.
That said, the trade-offs are clear. No turbo, only okay fuel economy, and a screen-heavy cabin will turn off some shoppers. If you want a compact SUV that feels nicer and drives better than most, the CX-5 is an easy one to short-list. If mpg or max space comes first, a rival may fit better.
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