2026 Mazda CX-5: Five Things to Know
With 4.5 million units sold worldwide including more than 300,000 in Canada, the Mazda CX-5 is an undeniable success. It's still the brand's most popular vehicle despite the current generation having launched for the 2017 model year and the sleeker, more premium CX-50 having joined the lineup three years ago (until it stopped being imported into Canada indefinitely due to the new tariffs).
The all-new, third-generation 2026 CX-5, which was unveiled a few days ago and is expected to hit the market in spring 2026, is a highly anticipated product. More details will be provided between now and its arrival. In the meantime, here are five things you need to know about it:
- Also: All-New 2026 Mazda CX-5 Drops Turbo, Adds Huge Touchscreen
- Also: Mazda Canada to Stop Importing U.S.-Built CX-50 Due to Tariffs
1. The New Face of Mazda
The design approach behind the all-new CX-5 was developed around our "Wearable Gear" concept, which is inspired by functional yet stylish clothing that has the right look and fit in a variety of situations. It's the latest evolution of Mazda's Kodo design and a preview of models to come, such as the next-gen Mazda3.
The silhouette is very familiar yet 4.5 inches (11.5 cm) longer and over half an inch (1.3 cm) wider, emphasized by new black trim on the wheel arches and lower body. The new headlamp signature and redesigned front bumper enhance the CX-5's appearance, while the more angular taillamps are reminiscent of those on the CX-70 and CX-90. Between them, the logo is replaced by “MAZDA” lettering—a first for the Japanese brand.
2. A Roomier Cabin
The increased dimensions of the 2026 Mazda CX-5, including a wheelbase that’s 3 inches (7.6 cm) longer, address one of the shortcomings of its predecessor: interior space, especially for rear passengers and luggage. Along the way, designers have enlarged the door openings and incorporated a new optional panoramic roof that accentuates the feeling of openness.
Mazda did not specify the exact volume of the trunk, but said it is now almost two inches (5 cm) longer and over an inch (2.5 cm) higher. Furthermore, the lower lift-in height that drops over half an inch (1.3 cm) from its predecessor allows for easier loading, even with larger items.
3. A Large Screen With Google Built-in
Reneging on its principles and responding to a number of criticisms about its less-than-user-friendly multimedia system, Mazda puts on a show inside the 2026 CX-5. The new optional 15.6-inch touchscreen, the largest ever offered by the company, promises smartphone-like usability with a customizable home menu, quick access to the most frequently used functions and even Google built-in.
A smaller screen will inevitably be found in entry-level models. And as you can see from the pictures, Mazda has eliminated several physical controls on the centre stack (notably for temperature and ventilation) as well as on the console (the large rotary controller is gone). This will be quite a change of habits for drivers.
4. Only One Engine at Launch
Under the hood, the 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine returns with the same 187 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque. That said, Mazda has worked on it to achieve greater flexibility and quieter operation. The six-speed automatic transmission and standard i-Activ all-wheel drive complete the powertrain.
Too bad for performance enthusiasts, the turbocharged engine with the same displacement (up to 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque) is not returning. Mazda Canada has justified this decision by telling us that the base engine “represents as much as 90% of sales at times and offers the right mix of responsiveness and fuel economy that our customers want and are familiar with.”
5. A Hybrid System on the Way
One year later, in 2027, the CX-5 will debut a new hybrid powertrain to the Mazda family. Built around an equally new SKYACTIV-Z engine, it will offer “a higher level of performance and fuel efficiency along with the engaging drive that our customers expect,” Mazda said.
Whatever happens to the CX-50, whose own electrified variant uses Toyota-derived technology (219 hp, 6.2 L/100 km), the upcoming CX-5 Hybrid should deliver more power. Will it be more affordable? That remains to be seen.
