Written byThe 2026 Mazda CX-5 marks a significant shift for the Japanese automaker’s best-selling crossover. Mazda has adopted modern technology, a sleek design, and a modern interior space in the revamp, abandoning age-old features like knobs and buttons in favor of a setup that looks like it’s from the future—and it even supports iPhone or Google integration. From its elongated body to its larger touchscreen, this next-generation CX-5 feels more like a junior luxury SUV than an ordinary compact crossover.
If you’re a long-term advocate of the CX-5, get ready to see a completely new take on the nameplate that helped to create the segment. Let’s take a closer look.
Interior Tech Overhaul in the 2026 CX-5
Arguably, the 2026 Mazda CX-5’s most notable updates are in its revised infotainment technology. The old infotainment system, which is mainly operated via a rotary dial, is long gone. In its place? A monstrous 15.6-inch center touchscreen, framed by a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
Mazda is also teaming up with Google to integrate Google Built-In, so Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Play Store are all pre-installed from the start. That now puts the CX-5’s infotainment system in the same neighborhood as what Volvo and GM are doing. And yes, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard.
The software is OTA (over-the-air) capable, meaning that your CX-5 can receive updates and feature enhancements without a trip to the dealership. The digital interface appears both intuitive and quick, and is more modern in every way than the older Mazda system.
The cabin has also been visually tidied up. Mazda’s designers have amplified the “calm yet functional” motif, employing minimalist lines, supple materials, and ambient LED lighting (with seven colors to choose from). It’s all part of what Mazda refers to as a more “wearable” and “premium” cabin experience.
Mazda Ditches Buttons in 2026 SUV
Mazda 2026 SUV goes broke, loses buttons (Almost all of them). Gone is the well-known center console rotary dial that served as the one knob do-everything navigation and audio controller. Indeed, there are now few physical buttons on the dash and console, with most of the functions assigned to the touchscreen or steering wheel.
Some HVAC controls and the hazard lights are also still physically clickable, and that’s about it. Everything else – radio tuning, climate control, and navigation inputs – resides within the touchscreen ecosystem.
This is likely to disappoint and probably alienate some of its die-hard fans, but Mazda claims the system has been deliberately simplified and made easy to use. Using voice commands via Google Assistant also minimizes the need for manual inputs while driving, allowing drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road.
Bigger, Bolder, and More Practical
It’s not only the tech that Mazda has overhauled; the 2026 CX-5 also grows in size. Developed on a stretched platform, the new version is approximately 4.5 inches longer than the previous one, with a 3-inch longer wheelbase. That growth means better interior space, in simple terms.
There’s now more legroom, shoulder room, and headroom, as well as easier entry into the back seats, thanks to wider doors. The cargo area also expands with a lower load floor and a longer, taller cargo bay. This extra utility also positions the CX-5 near midsize crossovers, such as the Toyota Venza or Hyundai Santa Fe, despite its continued presence in the compact segment.
The new CX-5 also brings aspects of Mazda’s larger CX-70 and CX-90 to its design, most notably in the form of smoother LED lighting, a more aggressive front fascia, and an updated badge positioning with “MAZDA” printed across the tailgate. Higher trims include a panoramic sunroof and 19-inch wheels.
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Powertrain Carries Over (For Now)
Beneath the hood, the 2026 Mazda CX-5 retains its proven 2.5-liter atmospheric four-cylinder engine, which produces 187 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque. It’s mated to a 6-speed automatic with standard i-Activ all-wheel drive.
Although Mazda has announced a new Skyactiv-Z hybrid powertrain for 2027, this gas-only configuration is the one shoppers will see at launch. According to Mazda, this decision was made following the feedback the company received on the previous generation of the engine, as well as what it was hearing from customers.
It’s not going to win any drag races, but the powertrain is sweet, responsive, and well-balanced, which is precisely what all those loyal Mazda drivers, who love to drive, want.
If you’re someone who’s after horsepower or big V6 or V8 performance, this won’t be your jam. But for daily driving, it’s tuned well.
Safety & Connectivity Boosts
As of 2026, the CX-5 comes standard with all the latest driver-assistance technology. These include:
- Lane-keeping assist
- Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
- Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- New 360-degree camera system (available on higher trims)
Mazda is aiming again for an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating, and with its strong safety record, it should be able to meet that goal as well.
Google connectivity is also available, offering real-time traffic updates, intuitive voice commands, and downloadable apps to future-proof the CX-5 for years to come.
Pricing and Availability
If you like the CX-5, consider the 2026 Mazda CX-5, which is expected to go on sale in early 2026 and should be available at your local showroom, with pricing starting at around $31,000. Higher configurations in the trim progression could exceed $ 40,000, particularly when the hybrid is added in 2027.
Trim levels have not been officially announced, but expect to see returning names like Select, Preferred, Premium, and Premium Plus, along with new tech packages.
You might also want to see how it compares to other upcoming models like the 2026 Toyota RAV4 or even rivals like the Honda CR-V Trailsport.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Mazda CX-5 is a turning point for a car that is one of Mazda’s cornerstone models. With its futuristic tech, spacious design, and buttonless interior, that’s a bold move that puts it in the crosshairs of its upscale rivals.
If you can overlook its lack of a hybrid option at its UK launch, then the CX-5 has never felt more premium, more user-friendly, or more modern, and the updates have certainly helped it remain competitive. If you’ve been waiting for Mazda to update its interiors and tech suite, consider it done.
