2026 Mazda CX-5 Vs. 2027 Mazda CX-5 Hybrid: A Preview
Mazda’s best-selling SUV just got a full redesign, and a hybrid version is already on the way. Here’s a preview of the 2026 CX-5 vs. 2027 CX-5 Hybrid, spanning engines, specs, trim levels, pricing, and everything else that matters.
Two Versions of the Same Versatile New SUV
The 2026 Mazda CX-5 begins the model’s third generation after a nine-year run. It features a longer wheelbase, a roomier rear cabin, a new touchscreen infotainment system, and Google built-in technology across all trims.
The 2027 Mazda CX-5 Hybrid builds directly on that foundation, adding Mazda’s first-ever in-house full-hybrid powertrain to what will otherwise be the same third-generation SUV.
For buyers shopping right now, the question is whether the gas-only 2026 model is the smarter buy, or whether waiting a year (or longer) for the 2027 CX-5 Hybrid is worth it.
The answer depends largely on how much you drive, how much you value fuel economy, and how patient you’re willing to be.
2026 CX-5 Engine and Powertrain
Under the hood of the reimagined 2026 Mazda CX-5 sits the familiar Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine from the previous-generation CX-5, producing 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, paired to the same Skyactiv-Drive six-speed automatic transmission from years past.
However, Mazda says the engine has been retuned for improved responsiveness and ride comfort compared to the outgoing model. Standard i-Activ AWD means all CX-5 trim levels continue to come with all-wheel drive at no extra cost.
Sadly, the high-output turbo engine that was previously available in upper CX-5 trims has been dropped, with Mazda saying it will effectively be replaced by the new internally developed hybrid powertrain, providing similar performance with markedly higher gas mileage.
Speaking of fuel economy, the 2026 CX-5 is rated by the EPA at 24 City and 30 Highway MPG, with a combined estimate of 26 MPG. That’s a modest showing in a class where the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid routinely achieves 40 MPG Combined.
Buyers who prioritize efficiency will want to wait and see what MPG figures the first-ever CX-5 Hybrid can reach.
2027 CX-5 Hybrid Engine: Mazda’s Own Technology
Unlike the US-built Mazda CX-50 Hybrid, which relies on a Toyota-sourced hybrid system, the 2027 CX-5 Hybrid powertrain will be developed entirely in-house by Mazda. The system is built around the automaker’s all-new Skyactiv-Z 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, paired with a generator motor and a dedicated electric propulsion motor, targeting a combined output above 200 horsepower.
Mazda has confirmed the hybrid system is engineered to comply with Euro 7, LEV4, and Tier 4 global emissions standards, and expects it to deliver fuel economy in the range of 37 to 40 MPG Combined.
Mazda’s reasoning for developing its own hybrid system rather than again sourcing one from its corporate partner is deliberate. Stefan Meisterfeld, Vice President of Strategic Planning at Mazda North American Operations, confirmed to the press that Mazda aims for the hybrid system to reflect the brand’s driving DNA, a goal the company believes the CX-50 Hybrid’s Toyota system does not fully achieve.
So, expect the CX-5 Hybrid to be a more engaging, driver-focused hybrid than the competition typically offers.
2026 CX-5 Trim Levels and Pricing
Mazda officially announced pricing for the 2026 CX-5 on January 13, 2026, confirming five trim levels:
- CX-5 2.5 S
- CX-5 2.5 S Select
- CX-5 2.5 S Preferred
- CX-5 2.5 S Premium
- CX-5 2.5 S Premium Plus
The base CX-5 2.5 S starts at $29,990 before the $1,495 destination charge, with the range-topping Premium Plus reaching $38,990 before destination.
Standard amenities on the new third-gen CX-5 include:
- i-Activ AWD
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- 12.9-inch touchscreen
- Google built-in technology
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Mazda’s latest and greatest i-Activsense driver assistance suite
Notable upgrades as you climb the trim ladder include leatherette seating surfaces and heated side mirrors on the Select, genuine leather seating material on the Preferred, and ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, 12-speaker Bose audio, and a heated rear seat on the Premium.
The top-trim Premium Plus adds a 15.6-inch touchscreen, adaptive LED headlights, a 360-degree camera with underfloor view, and Mazda’s Driver Personalization System (introduced on the three-row CX-90), which uses an interior camera to automatically set mirrors and seating position for each driver.
2027 CX-5 Hybrid Trim Levels and Pricing: What to Expect
Mazda has not yet released official pricing or confirmed trim levels for the 2027 Mazda CX-5 Hybrid, but the model is expected to mirror the third-generation platform’s trim structure closely. However, we expect fewer CX-5 Hybrid trims available, at least to start.
Based on how Mazda has positioned the CX-50 Hybrid relative to its gas-only sibling, the CX-5 Hybrid is expected to carry a premium of roughly $2,000 to $3,500 over comparable gas-only trims, putting entry-level hybrid pricing somewhere around $32,000 to $34,000 before destination. Upper trims could push past $42,000 in fully loaded configurations.
The 2027 CX-5 Hybrid may offer a standard e-AWD system that pairs the hybrid drivetrain with an electrically driven rear axle, potentially replacing the mechanical AWD system used in the gas-only model.
Mazda USA will provide official pricing and configurator details closer to the 2027 hybrid launch, which is expected before the end of calendar year 2027.
At-a-Glance Comparison: New CX-5 vs. CX-5 Hybrid
| 2026 Mazda CX-5 (Gas) | 2027 Mazda CX-5 Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Skyactiv-G 2.5L 4-cyl | Skyactiv-Z 2.5L 4-cyl + electric motors |
| Output | 187 hp / 186 lb-ft | 200+ hp (est.) |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic | TBD (in-house Mazda hybrid system) |
| AWD | Standard i-Activ AWD | Expected e-AWD |
| Fuel Economy (combined) | 26 MPG | 37-40 MPG (est.) |
| Trim Levels | S, Select, Preferred, Premium, Premium Plus | TBD (expected to mirror some trims of the gas lineup) |
| Starting MSRP | $29,990 + $1,495 dest. | ~$32,000-$34,000 (est.) |
| On Sale | Now | Before end of 2027 |
| Hybrid System Origin | N/A | In-house Mazda system |
Technology and Interior: Shared New Third-Gen Platform
Both the 2026 gas CX-5 and the 2027 CX-5 Hybrid share the same redesigned interior, so shoppers choosing between the two won’t sacrifice a single feature by going with the gas model now.
That means both versions get the latest KODO design language, Mazda’s largest-ever screen options (for better or worse), including the 15.6-inch display on Premium Plus, Google Built-in with Gemini AI functionality.
The Mazda Connect commander control system and all of its accompanying knobs and buttons are also gone, replaced by the new, larger touchscreen (a controversial decision among the Mazda faithful for sure).
Mazda says the new 2026 CX-5 interior is meaningfully quieter and more spacious than the outgoing second-gen model. The cargo area grew by two inches in length and one inch in height, and rear passenger legroom and headroom both increased in the new generation.
On the safety front, the 2026 CX-5 introduces several new or upgraded standard features for the model, including:
- Rear Automatic Emergency Braking
- Rear Cross Traffic Braking
- Forward Turn-Across Traffic Braking
- Emergency Lane Keeping
- Blind Spot Assist
- Traffic Sign Recognition
- Mazda Radar Cruise Control
All of these features are expected to carry over to the 2027 CX-5 Hybrid as standard equipment.
Should You Buy the 2026 CX-5 Now, or Wait for the Hybrid?
If you want the redesigned CX-5 today at the most accessible price point, the 2026 gas model is the clear answer.
Starting at $29,990, it brings the full third-generation experience, strong safety features, and Mazda’s known driving refinement without asking you to pay a hybrid premium or wait until late 2027. It’s particularly well-suited for buyers who don’t rack up high annual mileage and won’t recoup a hybrid price premium quickly at the pump.
In case you missed it, here are our first impressions of the new Mazda CX-5 following its release.
For high-mileage drivers or anyone serious about long-term fuel savings, the 2027 CX-5 Hybrid is shaping up to be the more compelling choice.
An estimated 37 to 40 MPG combined versus the gas model’s 26 MPG represents a meaningful difference, and Mazda’s decision to build its own hybrid system rather than source one from a competitor suggests the driving character buyers expect from the CX-5 badge will be preserved.
The extra wait and the likely price premium may well be worth it.
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