In the U.S., Mazda’s CX-5 is its best selling vehicle. This five-seat crossover tops out at $45,000 at the top of the lineup, an impressive value for the beautiful, reliable, stylish SUV.
Mazda introduced the first generation in 2013 and has sold more than 1.6 million CX-5 units here in America. In the 2026 CX-5, the brand has debuted a new generation that’s a half-inch wider, 4.5 inches longer, and provides more leg room than the previous version.
On top of all that, the door openings are wider, which makes it easier for passengers ingress and egress. The cargo load area is a half-inch lower, enabling easier loading. And, says VP of Strategic Planning for Mazda North American Operations Stefan Meisterfeld, customers will be able to choose from a variety of accessories to make cargo management much easier.
Previous generations of the CX-5 included a feature that drove me batty: the control knob function for its infotainment system. In the 2026 CX-5, Mazda finally solves that problem with a brand-new touchscreen, featuring Google Built-In. I can’t tell you enough what a welcome change that is for me, because in my opinion it was the one thing standing between Mazda and greatness.
Mazda Says Safety First, Now With New Tech
A few years ago, YouTuber Jill Ciminillo interviewed Mazda’s Manager of Vehicle Dynamics Dave Coleman. He told her the Mazda infotainment setup, complete with its all-controlling center knob, was designed for safety. A touchscreen, he argued, requires the driver to look from the road to the touchscreen to their finger and back, which is a distraction.
Making the switch to full touchscreen mode for 2026 required a major update way beyond the infotainment system itself, says Meisterfeld.
“It’s important to note that we didn’t just add a large center touch display,” Meisterfeld points out. “We also followed our philosophy of hands on the wheel, eyes on the road, safety first.”
While offering all this new technology, Mazda also redesigned the steering wheel to work seamlessly with the CX-5’s new layout. Meisterfeld says it’s intended to be very intuitive, at the same time giving the driver operational control over many different functions. On top of that, the crossover uses Google Assistant for native language recognition. As such, most of the features and functions can also be operated by voice command. In total, Mazda believes the setup in the CX-5 follows its original philosophy to put safety first.
Mazda Will Debut a Hybrid CX-5 Soon
Every 2026 CX-5 is equipped with the same 2.5-liter engine from 2025 in both turbo and non-turbo versions. The 2026 base model will launch with a 2.5-liter engine making 187 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque.
But stay tuned, because Mazda will offer a hybrid powertrain with the 2027 CX-5. The 2027 version will include more power and improved MPG. It’s won’t be the first hybrid Mazda has ever had, since the CX-50 used a Toyota-sourced hybrid system, but it will be the first one Mazda builds in-house.
The 2026 Mazda CX-5 will be on sale early next year.
