It’s a redesign year for the 2026 Mazda CX-5. And one of the primary issues addressed was the lack of interior space for the popular compact SUV.
Consider it mission accomplished because the latest CX-5 no longer has a cramped interior. The SUV is longer and wider with the wheelbase increasing by 4.5 inches. That equates to more leg and headroom for rear passengers and additional cargo area space.
Since cracking the 100,000 mark in U.S. sales four years after its 2012 inception, the CX-5 hasn’t slipped under six figures over the past decade. Last year sales totals reached 136,333, pushing it over the 5 million mark in global sales by the end of 2025.
The competition is fierce in the compact SUV class. The longtime top two heavyweights still rule over the competition when it comes to sales. Last year the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V combined for a staggering 883,056 units sold.
In addition to the RAV4 and CR-V, the CX-5 also is in competition with one of its own – the CX-50. Mazda debuted the similarly priced CX-50 in 2023 and sales have increased every year, reaching 110,345 in 2025.
When compared to the competition, one thing hampering the Mazda CX-5 is the lack of a hybrid option. Practically all mainstream and luxury 2026 compact SUVs offer a hybrid and/or plug-in hybrid option. Mazda reportedly has a CX-5 hybrid that it will offer next year.
Another criticism of the CX-5 is performance. It eliminated the optional turbocharged model this year and the lone engine comes up lacking for car shoppers seeking a small SUV with some power. The engine is a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder that produces 187 horsepower and 186-pound feet of torque. Note that all-wheel drive is standard in all models.
Freeway passing capability and climbing steep hills can be an issue. The CX-5 goes a modest 0-60 mph in 8.0 seconds and gets 24-30 mpg, a low figure when compared to hybrid models. Towing capacity is 1,500 pounds.
AT A GLANCE – 2026 MAZDA CX-5
Performance: 2.5-liter, four-cylinder, 187 horsepower
Mileage estimate: 24-30 mpg
Price estimate: $30,000 to $39,100
Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles; drivetrain 5 years/60,000 miles; roadside assistance 3 years/36,000; corrosion 5 years/unlimited
The CX-5 does receive high marks for its driving acumen because it handles like a well-behaved sedan. It features responsive steering, a smooth ride and provides solid handling on challenging roads. It’s also quiet; wind and tire noise are only heard slightly at highway speeds.
Standard driver safety features include emergency lane keeping; blind spot assist; traffic sign recognition; radar cruise control; forward and rear automatic emergency braking; and speed limit assist.
This year’s CX-5 comes standard with a 12.9-inch touchscreen and a huge 15.6-inch one resides on the premium plus trim model. The system includes Google Built-In, which means Google Maps and the Google voice assistant are now integrated.
What we found frustrating regarding the interior was Mazda took away the traditional physical knobs and buttons for climate control and audio. The audio is now done via steering wheel controls and takes attention away from a driver’s primary responsibility – driving safely.
We applaud the company for addressing the previous lack of interior space in redesigning the 2026 Mazda CX-5. However, all the changes weren’t good ones. We miss the optional turbo engine and the ease of operating the climate and audio controls.
Jeffrey Weidel is an award-winning journalist from the Sacramento region who has written automotive reviews for nearly three decades and now appears in Folsom Times. He can be reached at skiweidel@gmail.com
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