2026 Mazda CX-5: First Impressions of the Redesigned SUV

2026 Mazda CX-5: First Impressions of the Redesigned SUV

Mazda’s best-selling model enters its third generation with the debut of the all-new 2026 Mazda CX-5. Here are our early impressions of the new CX-5 design, dimensions, specs, and changes.

• The 2026 Mazda CX-5 has been revealed, sporting a handsomely restyled exterior, enlarged footprint, and dramatically reimagined interior.
• This popular compact SUV grows 4.5 inches longer, with noticeably more second-row legroom and cargo space.
• A singular gas engine is available at launch, but it’s joined by a first-ever CX-5 Hybrid arriving later as a 2027 model.

2026 CX-5 Design: A Baby CX-70 – Or CX-60 Alternative?

Mazda modernizes its top-selling global SUV with a striking new exterior design that’s mostly evolutionary. The 2026 CX-5 exterior brilliantly blends a familiar CX-5 silhouette and styling cues from past editions with some of the brand’s latest design language from models like the larger CX-90 three-row SUV and two-row CX-70.

A more aggressive front-end design is accentuated by a lower front fascia and air intake vents that jut out below a familiarly shaped grille, flanked by more shapely headlight housings. The headlamp shape cascades down the side of the grille and features dual hockey-stick-shaped daytime running lights (DRLs).

The most noticeable resemblance to the large-platform Mazda CX-90, CX-70, and CX-60 SUVs is at the rear, where the next-gen CX-5 wears similarly shaped taillamps that narrow inward from the brake lights toward the rear badging at the center of the SUV.

Speaking of rear badging, the all-new 2026 CX-5 swaps out the Mazda logo for a “MAZDA” script spelled out across the back of the tailgate. You’ll see more of this “MAZDA” script inside the interior.

From its more premium exterior design to its increased interior dimensions and more powerful hybrid engine (with late arrival), this next-generation CX-5 is shaping up to be an excellent alternative to the long-wheelbase CX-70 or even the CX-60, the premium midsize model that North America still doesn’t get.

Growth Spurt: The 2026 Mazda CX-5 Dimensions

One of the most welcome upgrades to the all-new 2026 CX-5 is its enlarged dimensions, which help provide more total interior volume for both occupants and cargo. Standing 4.5 inches longer than its predecessor with a wheelbase that’s also grown by about 3 inches, this new CX-5 is a sizable enhancement over previous models that were often lauded for their design and driving dynamics but fell behind competitors in cabin and cargo space.

This highly modern and aggressively styled CX-5 is also widened by about half an inch, making its dimensions even more similar to its rugged compact SUV counterpart, the Mazda CX-50. The previous-generation CX-5 already has more hip and shoulder room than the CX-50 model, and the latest CX-5 expands on that further with its wider overall dimensions.

The redesigned 2026 CX-5 comes with enlarged rear door openings, making it easier for second-row passengers – and especially children and the elderly – to get in and out. Importantly for families, child seats can be more easily installed in this longer CX-5, thanks to its larger rear doors and roomier second row.

Cabin Dimensions, Comfort, and Utility

The CX-5’s growth spurt extends inside its interior, greatly improving passenger comfort and daily usability, thanks to increased cabin volume for both occupants and accompanying cargo.

More second-row legroom affords adults more comfort. Mazda hasn’t divulged official cabin dimensions just yet, but for reference, a carry-on size suitcase can fit vertically in the rear footwell.

Greatly expanded headroom makes way for a newly available panoramic sunroof. The larger rear windows and expansive sunroof create an open, airy motoring experience for second-row occupants.

Increased rear-seat comfort comes not only from the new CX-5’s expanded legroom but also from its available reclining seat function, enabling passengers to stretch out and relax and find the perfect seating position, whether reading, taking in the sights, or taking a nap.

Cargo area capacity increases substantively, with a longer rear cargo hold behind the rear seatbacks and when you fold the second-row seating. To make cargo loading and unloading even easier, Mazda has enlarged the liftgate opening vertically. The liftover height into the cargo area also appears lower, too.

Like the first and second generations, the new third-generation Mazda CX-5 features a 40/20/40 split-folding rear seatback, enabling more seating and cargo combinations than the more common 60/40 split on many competing crossovers and SUVs. Fit longer items like skis, fishing poles, or construction materials through the center pass-through between the left and right rear seats.

A one-touch fold-down lever accessed from either behind or in front of the back seats makes switching from passenger mode to cargo mode quick and easy, whether you’re reaching from the second row or the liftgate area.

Regarding the 2026 Mazda CX-5 interior dimensions specifically, here’s what we’ve learned so far:

• Second-row legroom increases by about 2.5 inches.
• The maximum cargo length reaches about 72 inches (depending on the position of the first-row seatbacks).
• The 2026 Mazda CX-5 cargo space is greater than its predecessor and even slightly more than the larger CX-60 midsize SUV.

With rear seating upright, the 2026 CX-5 cargo area measures around:

• 40 inches long
• 40 inches wide
• 31 inches tall (with a taller liftgate opening)

We’ll have to wait for official Mazda measurements, but the larger 2026 CX-5 certainly enjoys a much-needed increase in cabin utility and passenger space and comfort, especially in the second row.

Interior and Infotainment Updates

We think a bigger CX-5 is better, especially when it retains its handsome styling and even upgrades it with some premium design elements first seen on other pricier Mazda SUVs. We expect this slightly larger CX-5 to handle and perform just as well or even better than a comparable naturally-aspirated model it replaces.

Still, it’s inside where opinions on the CX-5 redesign are more mixed.

The most drastic (and controversial) updates to the redesigned Mazda CX-5 are found inside. A large touchscreen display dominates the cockpit, with a choice of a 12.9-inch display or an optional oversized 15.6-inch unit mounted centrally on the dashboard.

The interior design is much cleaner and more minimalist than before. But gone are the vast majority of buttons, switches, and knobs that were used to operate the Mazda Connect infotainment system in the carmaker’s models from the past decade.

Now, nearly all vehicle operations – including audio and HVAC controls – are housed within the touchscreen interface. It’s a significant departure for the automaker that praised its previous system as a safer, more driving-focused alternative to large tablet-style touchscreens that have become ubiquitous across most car lineups.

Mazda says more commands can now be initiated through controls on the steering wheel, as a more tactile alternative to reaching for the touchscreen. Like on the back of the liftgate, the new CX-5’s steering wheel reads “MAZDA” instead of wearing the automaker’s logo.

Like many other Mazda fans, we have strong feelings about the shift away from the brand’s now-familiar rotary commander control knob and – more critically – the lack of physical buttons for things like HVAC controls in the new CX-5. But perhaps we’ll reserve some judgment until we’re able to test out this latest Mazda touchscreen infotainment system with Google built-in technology.

We’ll have more to say about this shortly, but in the end, maybe Mazda is simply counting on the shift toward a more cost-effective tablet-style infotainment system to bring in far more new customers to the CX-5 and the brand than it will lose from the Mazda faithful.

2026 Mazda CX-5 Engine: Familiar, Proven Performance

The 187-horsepower 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G gas engine returns and is now the sole powertrain (with the turbo option dropped for 2026) until the CX-5 Hybrid and its new Skyactiv-Z hybrid powertrain arrive later for the 2027 model year.

Mazda says the Skyactiv-G Turbo option has been discontinued in the third-gen CX-5 due to the upcoming CX-5 Hybrid engine, which will reportedly offer similar performance levels to the 2.5-liter turbo but with drastically improved efficiency.

The 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine soldiers on with a six-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic transmission. Like other new Mazda SUVs, the redesigned CX-5 comes standard with i-Activ AWD.

Instead of pairing its newer eight-speed unit with a new engine, Mazda decided to stick with its tried-and-true combination of the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G and six-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic transmission as the base powertrain for its next-generation CX-5. It’s been a winning formula for the hot-selling CX-5 since its debut for the 2013 model year.

While its efficiency can’t match newer options from other automakers, Mazda is banking on this proven powertrain to continue to meet many drivers’ needs as the affordable and dependable base option. Meanwhile, the all-new, upcoming Mazda-developed Skyactiv-Z Hybrid serves up next-level powertrain technology, performance, and efficiency in the CX-5 Hybrid models.

Awaiting the 2026 Mazda CX-5 Release Date

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 debut didn’t divulge all the details we want to know about this next-generation iteration of the carmaker’s best-selling model. We’ll have to wait closer to the official 2026 CX-5 release date for that, which Mazda says is scheduled for early 2027.