All-New 2026 Mazda CX-5 S Premium Plus Review

This week I bring you the next generation of Mazda's best-selling vehicle - the all-new 2026 Mazda CX-5.  It's larger and therefore, roomier, features long-awaited new tech and a redesigned cabin.  The new CX-5 not only debuts some firsts for the lineup, but the brand. I'm spending a week in the top trim S Premium Plus - a real showcase of what the lineup now as to offer. 

Exterior

The compact SUV gets wider and longer, but retains its distinctive CX-5 shape. Instead of a major overhaul, it receives subtle, sportier changes in line with the brand's latest design language. 

A black front grille is largely the same but adds a new black trim element. The headlights get more of a stacked look. The redesigned tail end takes design cues from the CX-70 and CX-90 - ditching a logo in lieu of MAZDA lettering. I'm a big fan of my tester's premium Aero Gray paint hue which looks fantastic with 19-inch gloss black alloys.   

E

xterior lighting features include LED headlights, daytime running lights and tail lights. The Premium Plus adds Adaptive Front Lighting. Other features: a gloss-black lower front splitter,  gloss black wheel well cladding, gloss black rear bumper and gloss black power folding side mirrors, along with the CX-5's familiar dual chrome exhaust. On top, roof rails. 

Performance 

Sadly, Mazda ditches the CX-5 Turbo engine option entirely for 2026,  citing that 87% of current CX-5 sales are its 2.5-liter 4 cylinder engine. So that's the only available powertrain for now. It's been updated for sharper responses but still delivers the power specs: 187 horsepower and 186 lb.-ft of torque. It's mated to the same 6-speed automatic transmission, as well,  but the S Premium Plus is the only trim equipped with paddle shifters.  All-wheel drive is standard across the lineup. It must also be noted that the new CX-5 loses some fuel economy because it's bigger and heavier - all while keeping the same base powertrain.  Mazda will however add a hybrid CX-5 to the lineup in 2027 which will presumably both add power and help fuel economy.

Interior      

Open the door of the CX-5 and you might think you're about to step into a spa. The welcome music is so relaxing and for me it was a much needed moment of Zen. 

If you don't like clutter, you're going to love it in the new CX-5 cabin. There is none. A physical volume button and the large media command controller, gone. The center stack climate controls. Also gone.

In their place, a clean, minimalist interior thanks to significant tech upgrades. The most important one being the debut of Mazda's new infotainment system and largest ever 15.6-inch touchscreen (available only on this trim.)  It's where you control pretty much everything now.  And yes, much to my chagrin, even the volume.  Something I'm sure also won't go over too well with consumers. However, you can, thankfully, control the volume from the steering wheel.

My tester features Sport Tan leather-trimmed redesigned seats that are heated and ventilated. The driver's seat is 10-way power, the passenger's 8-way. The seats are comfortable with the right amount of support. An available 10.25-inch digital driver cluster looks fantastic, and is a first for the CX-5.  The nicely redesigned steering wheel has terrific new flat touch-sensitive controls for various functions including drive modes.  Like the tail end, it ditches a Mazda logo in favor of lettering which I think is a much better look.

Mazda is known for its upscale, premium interiors which holds true for the new CX-5 though I wish there was a bit more soft-touch on the door panels and dash.

Back to the star of the interior, Mazda's new multimedia / navigation system with Google Built-In is absolutely fantastic. I knew Mazda had it in them to develop an intuitive system like this I just wish it hadn't taken so long.  It's so responsive, the graphics are incredible and large icons are easy to see.   Bravo Mazda on a job well-done!  The system is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with SiriusXM 360L. The 12-speaker Bose sound system sounds fantastic.

A 6-speed automatic gear shifter can almost claim the center console for itself, though there are two cupholders, a wireless charger and traditional controls for the electronic parking brake and automatic brake hold.  The dual-side opening center console bin opens to access two USB-C ports.

Look above and you'll see something never seen in a CX-5 before, a panoramic sunroof. The CX-50 has one, so now the CX-5 won't be left out of the party, though it's available on the top two trims only.

Moving to the second row, the back doors open wider than in the previous generation. The second row is also roomier.  Slightly reclining second row seats are 40/20/40 split one-touch fold-down, resulting in a pass-through if you need one.  There are nice soft-touch seat backs, available heated second row seats, USB-C ports and a center drop-down armrest with small cupholders.

Cargo space also improves with this generation thanks to its longer wheelbase. A lower sill makes it easier to load items and the Premium Plus features a hands-free power lift gate.  

Standard features on this trim also include dual-zone climate, ambient lighting, carpeted floor mats heated steering wheel and keyless entry. Using the Mazda App you can do things like lock or unlock your car and start the engine remotely

Safety    

The CX-5 introduces enhanced i-ACTIVSENSE safety features across the lineup including improved low-speed driver assistance. 

i-ACTIVSENSE features include Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitoring and Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Front and Rear Smart Brake Support, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Radar Cruise Control, Front and Rear Parking Sensors, Traffic Sign Recognition and Emergency Lane Keeping.  Other standard safety features include front and rear seat belt reminders, Driver Attention Alert, Vehicle Exit Warning, and Rear Seat Alert.

The Premium Plus adds Driver Monitoring - meaning there's a new driver facing camera in the steering wheel. This trim is also equipped with Front Cross Traffic Alert/Braking, Driver Monitoring, 360 degree view camera, and Cruising and Traffic Support with Lane Change Assist.

An available larger Active Driving Display is also new for 2026.

Ride and Drive

The CX-5 retains the same driving characteristics of the last generation, and while not an adrenaline rush,  it's still a fun compact SUV to drive, with Sport, Normal and Off-Road drive modes, and Mazda says it's tuned the powertrain to deliver sharper responses. 

It's a comfortable ride, too, and thanks to its independent rear suspension its not as harsh as in the CX-50. (If I was choosing between the two for my senior parents, it would 100% be the CX-5.)  The ride is also pretty quiet too and visibility is great.

Options and What You'll Pay

With the Aero Gray Paint ($595), the total MSRP comes to just shy of $42,000 including destination charges. 

Verdict

The all-new 2026 Mazda CX-5 is poised to continue the compact SUVs reign as the brand's top-selling vehicle.  Sure there are some misses, like taking away a volume knob, but overall the new multimedia system is going to wow a lot of consumers as its style, practicality and driving dynamics already do.