- All-new, third-generation CX-5 brings more tech and added space
- Pricing starts at $31,485 | Price it your way
- On sale now | See Mazda CX-5 models near you
For 2026, the Mazda CX-5 has been revamped inside and out, making Mazda’s best-selling vehicle even better. Thanks to an exterior footprint that has increased by more than four inches, the 2026 Mazda CX-5’s 2-row cabin is even more accommodating for up to five passengers and their gear.
More interior room isn’t the only headline for the all-new CX-5. Mazda’s popular compact SUV now features the brand’s boldest moves in tech yet, with every CX-5 equipped with a large touchscreen and helpful aids such as Google built-in and even Google’s Gemini AI assistant. Let’s look inside to see what else it offers.
Passenger Room and Comfort
Take one step inside the newest version of Mazda CX-5, and you’ll see it appears more elegant yet simplified than any that came before it. Gone are physical buttons and dials, and in their place are sleek surfaces and minimalist design. None of this is by accident. Mazda’s modus operandi was to make the CX-5’s cabin calm yet functional.
We felt that when testing the latest CX-5. We also felt good, literally, in it. There is plenty of space up front for the driver and passenger, and good space in back, too. This latest CX-5 now has even more legroom than the last model, at an impressive 39.9 inches. In the real world, that means a 6-footer can sit behind another of the same size and not feel cramped.
Another perk we appreciate: Every trim except the base model includes rear air vents.
Features and Tech
Here’s where Mazda has made the greatest strides with the CX-5, and as a brand overall. The 2026 CX-5 now comes standard with a 12.9-inch touchscreen, and it is indeed touch-based. In past CX-5 models, a command dial in the center tunnel was used to operate most functions. That’s gone now, with this system being reliant on touch or voice commands. If you want to go even bigger, the top trim comes with a massive 15.6-inch touchscreen, seen above. All models now have a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.
While some users might bemoan the lack of physical controls such as a volume dial or climate buttons, we can attest that the touchscreen is extremely responsive. As in, it’s as fast as a smartphone or iPad. Furthermore, it works well with Google built-in (a 1-year trial is included), along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In all but the base model, those systems are wireless and come with a wireless phone charger, too.
There are also redundant volume and tuning controls on the steering wheel.
S Preferred trims and higher include Mazda’s Active Driving Display, which projects critical info onto the windshield.
Materials and Design
Whatever material you want in your CX-5, Mazda likely offers it. From cloth upholstery in the base model to synthetic leather or genuine leather in the higher grades, there’s plenty of choice. We also love the variety of hues offered. In addition to the usual gray and black color schemes, there is white and tan. The latter two especially pop, as they contrast with darker elements inside the cabin.
As we’ve come to expect of Mazda vehicles, fit and finish is very good. There are plenty of soft-touch surfaces, and the standard leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear selector feel good in your hand. We also give kudos to models retaining an actual gear lever rather than a dial or button setup. This just feels so natural to use when getting underway.
Available perks we enjoy include heated and ventilated front seats and, on the top model, paddle shifters.
Cargo Room and Flexibility
Buyers love SUVs for their versatility and practicality, and a big part of that is their ability to carry people and cargo — not people or cargo. Here, too, the all-new 2026 Mazda CX-5 improves over its predecessor.
Behind the rear seats is an ample 33.7 cubic feet of cargo room. Fold the seats, and you get 66.5 cubic feet of room. While that isn’t quite class-leading, it’s an ample figure. And unlike in some rivals, the seats themselves fold nearly flat.
Perhaps even better is how Mazda has improved the way you can utilize the CX-5’s cargo room. The new CX-5 has a lower floor, which makes loading and unloading gear easier. In addition to the rear seats being able to fold in the usual 60/40 split manner, they can also fold in 40/20/40 manner. This means you can fold the center portion while having the two outboard seats remain upright — perfect for packing skis or other tall and narrow items.
Build and price your own version of the 2026 Mazda CX-5 to see this week’s Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price, or check out Mazda CX-5 models for sale near you.
