2026 Mazda CX-5 First Look

Mazda's bestselling model gets a redesign, making it bigger and more refined while staying true to its roots.

Zac Johnson | 

Jul 22, 2025 | 3 min read

Capital One

Mazda has redesigned its CX-5 compact crossover SUV for the 2026 model year, and the changes make it larger, more practical, and more user-friendly while staying true to the automaker's reputation for delivering an engaging driving experience.

The highlights of the new 2026 Mazda CX-5 include fresh exterior styling, a redesigned interior with more passenger and cargo room, and the company's latest infotainment and driver-assistance technologies. Under the hood, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder remains the standard engine, with a hybrid powertrain coming soon. The 2026 CX-5 will go on sale early next year.

Mazda

2026 Mazda CX-5: Bigger, Bolder Exterior Design

Compared with the outgoing model, the 2026 Mazda CX-5 grows slightly in every direction, with an additional 4.5 inches of length, more rear legroom, and a half-inch wider stance. The new design is clean and athletic, featuring sharper body lines, a bolder grille, and more angular lighting elements that better tie the new CX-5 to the rest of the brand's SUV lineup.

Mazda's design team says stylish, functional "wearable gear" and traditional Japanese Kigumi woodworking inspired the CX-5's look. Kigumi relies on precision joinery instead of nails or screws, and the automaker points to where the SUV's body and fender trim meet as an example of this influence on the CX-5's design.

At the rear, the automaker spells "MAZDA" out in capital letters, swapping the traditional rear Mazda logo badge for a more modern touch. Available 19-inch wheels provide premium looks, while the CX-5's added size delivers a more spacious cabin and extra cargo room.

Mazda

2026 Mazda CX-5: Upgraded Interior

Inside, Mazda focused on making the 2026 CX-5 feel calm and serene. To that end, the SUV features quality materials, ambient lighting tucked into the front door trim, and an available panoramic sunroof that adds light and a sense of spaciousness to the cabin. Additionally, wider door openings and a lower cargo area lift-in height promise an easier loading experience.

A 15.6-inch touchscreen dominates the new CX-5's dashboard and is the largest ever offered in a Mazda. It features Google built-in with access to Google Maps, Google Gemini (an artificial intelligence digital assistant), and numerous additional apps through the Google Play Store.

Mazda

2026 Mazda CX-5: Powertrain and Performance

Mazda installs its familiar 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine under the 2026 CX-5's hood. It produces 187 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque, and pairs with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. Mazda claims it has recalibrated the drivetrain to provide both sharper responses and a smoother, quieter character, depending on how the vehicle is driven.

Buyers looking for a hybrid CX-5 will have to wait until 2027. Unlike the Toyota-sourced hybrid setup in the Mazda CX-50, the upcoming CX-5 Hybrid will use a Mazda-engineered SkyActiv-Z system.

Zac Johnson

Zac Johnson is a lifelong car enthusiast pursuing his dream of becoming an automotive journalist. He is a social media manager, contributor to JDPower.com and Capital One Auto Navigator, a member of the Automotive Press Association, and founder of Best Daily Drivers.