2026 Mazda CX-5

Mazda offers the 2026 CX-5 in five trims, and each one adds something worthwhile without forcing you into a long list of packages. The 2.5 S starts things off with a SKYACTIV®-G 2.5-liter engine, standard i-Activ AWD®, Google built-in with a one-year Mazda Connected Services trial, and a 12.9-inch touchscreen.

The 2.5 S Select adds leatherette seats with embossed microsuede inserts, wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, and heated power-folding side mirrors. Move up to the 2.5 S Preferred and you'll get 19-inch machine-cut alloy wheels finished in Black, a 10-way power driver's seat with memory settings, and a programmable power liftgate. The 2.5 S Premium adds leather-trimmed seating, a panoramic moonroof, and a Bose® 12-speaker audio system.

At the top of the lineup, the 2.5 S Premium Plus comes with Mazda's new 15.6-inch touchscreen, a hands-free power liftgate, and available Cruising and Traffic Support with Lane Change Assist.

Every 2026 CX-5 uses the same SKYACTIV®-G 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 187 horsepower and 186 lbs. ft. of torque. It's paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, and every model comes standard with i-Activ AWD®. Fuel economy is EPA-estimated at 24 MPG city, 30 MPG highway, and 26 MPG combined.

The redesigned cabin is roomier than the outgoing model. Rear-seat passengers get more legroom, knee room, and headroom, and there's more cargo space behind them as well. Depending on the trim, you'll find everything from leatherette with microsuede inserts to available Sports Tan leather, along with available features like ambient interior lighting and a panoramic moonroof. The CX-5 seats up to 5 and offers the extra cargo space many buyers were hoping for without making the SUV noticeably larger to drive.

Technology is one of the biggest changes for 2026. Higher trims are available with Mazda's new 15.6-inch touchscreen, while every model includes a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster. Google built-in gives you access to Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Google Play through a one-year Mazda Connected Services trial. Wireless Apple CarPlay®, wireless Android Auto™, the MyMazda App, available Bose® audio, and multiple ways to control the system—including voice commands, steering-wheel controls, and the touchscreen—make it easy to use whether you're driving across town or heading out on a longer trip.

Every 2026 CX-5 comes standard with Mazda's i-Activsense® safety technologies. That includes Blind Spot Monitoring, Road Keep Assist, Head-on Traffic Avoidance, Vehicle Exit Warning, Parking Sensors, Smart Brake Support – Rear Crossing, Rear Automatic Emergency Braking, Rear Cross Traffic Braking, Forward Turn-Across Traffic Braking, Emergency Lane Keeping, Blind Spot Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, and Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Speed Limit Assist. Available features like Cruising and Traffic Support with Lane Change Assist and a 360° View Monitor add another layer of driver assistance when you're in traffic or parking.

Mazda has always built the CX-5 to be a little more engaging than the average compact SUV, and that hasn't changed. Mi-Drive lets you switch between Normal, Sport, and Off-Road modes depending on the conditions, while the standard AWD system continuously adjusts power where it's needed. The result is an SUV that feels composed on winding roads but is just as comfortable in everyday traffic.