Official 2026 Mazda CX-5 Pics and Details Released

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Auto manufacturers need to understand that buyers such as myself are going to walk straight away from new car purchases and just hold on to what I have or find older serviceable units that DON'T have mountains of driver "assistance" tech, monitoring tech, harvesting and selling my data.

Infrared "driver attention monitors/scanners" ... Hard NO

Brake by wire ... Hard NO

Steer by wire ... Hard NO

Harvest and sell my data ... Hard NO

CD and driver "assistance" tech ... Hard NO if I can't control it how I want.

See, the other things don't matter at all if I don't have full control over MY car that I bought with MY money. I don't care how reliable it is, how nice and powerful and smooth the drivetrain. The spectacular design and curves and gorgeous paint. The perfect sound system or supple seating materials.

I imagine my thoughts are in the minority of new car buyers and most people will put up with all of the crap and high prices. I'm not interested. I'll drive older stuff and keep my money in my pocket (and yell at kids to get off my lawn lol).

I'll join you in the minority. In a year or so I'll be in the market for an upgrade and I had some high expectations from this car. But now I found myself looking at Audi and other German cars.

 

[Antoine]

Expectations are high, I get it but let’s try to keep open minded and fair. Remember, we’re here to talk Mazda, not berate them.

 

[mutualcore]

I don't want to berate them, but this new design is hostile.

 

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Expectations are high, I get it but let’s try to keep open minded and fair. Remember, we’re here to talk Mazda, not berate them.

Far from me. I really enjoy driving my car.

 

[mutualcore]

Far from me. I really enjoy driving my car.

I love my CX-5, and I'd hate to have to switch to something else.

 

[gazelle]

doesn't it look like they are just pushing CX-5 owners to switch to CX-50

 

[mutualcore]

doesn't it look like they are just pushing CX-5 owners to switch to CX-50

the question is why?

 

[DG_1234]

the question is why?

My guess is that the CX-5 is more expensive to manufacturer than Mazda3, CX-30, and CX-50.

 

[youri]

Exterior look i think it is good and arguably the best looking SUV in its class (vs the CR-V, Toyota, Nissan, Kia, etc).

I like the interior look and overall design. The lack of physical buttons though I agree it is a step in the wrong direction but not entirely surprising given where the general market is heading. Mazda must keep up with all the active driving aid and electronics to remain competitive in that market, because all the competitors come with it standard, whether we like it or not.

The lack of update in the engine department is not a huge surprise, because Mazda spent all their development money in the inline 6 and RWD platform, and now have to catch up to the hybrid system to meet fuel economy regulations. More powerful engines are often only introduced a year later, it is a bit of a marketing strategy i think. To all the proponents of reliability, you should be happy this comes with a proven powertrain and not a brand new first production powertrain.

Bigger interior space is a huge move, because the current gen CX-5 and CX-50 are very small inside compared to the competition. And honestly a showstopper for most of the consumer in the market.

I think this CX-5 will do well. Think about the fact the Nissan Rogue is Motortrend SUV of the year, and this will give you an idea of where this CX-5 will fare, especially when the hybrid model comes to the market.

 

[gazelle]

Think about the fact the Nissan Rogue is Motortrend SUV of the year, and this will give you an idea of where this CX-5 will fare.

 

[N7turbo]

It would have been so much easier to just port their CX-60/70/90 design. That would be a winner. I have no idea why they went this route.

 

[youri]

View attachment 342703

I was talking about the overall vehicle, not just the buttons . And that round wheel in the photo is probably just the AWD mode selector.

But I am with everyone else with the lack of physical buttons. I don’t like that part. Especially that there doesn’t even seem to be a volume control knob other than on the steering wheel. But I am just not surprised by it.

And like N7turbo mentioned, the CX-70/90 interior design is so good, it would have been easy to bring it to the CX-5.

The Mazda 6e / EZ-6 has the same all screen interface as the new CX-5, there may be some bleeding over coming from that model.

 

[N7turbo]

And like N7turbo mentioned, the CX-70/90 interior design is so good, it would have been easy to bring it to the CX-5.

I actually meant the exterior. But that too.

 

[Antoine]

It’s a simple exercise but I think this makes all the difference…Seeing it with larger wheels really enhances the new styling and complements the larger dimensions.

Granted it’s a bit photoshopped but if/when Mazda shows official pics with larger factory wheels, it could make the new CX-5 a lot more desirable.

Pic from taku2 on X via autoevolution.com

Saying that I’m sure some people will respond with ride quality which is true but what is also true is larger wheels are used to enhance visual appeal, especially for premium and high performance vehicles.

You could say the new CX-5 is maturing and moving upmarket, in that sense this look is spot on and I think it could help turn this generation into an even greater success.

 

[Eazeeette]

I am glad they finally stretched the CX-5 a little bit.

 

[N7turbo]

But they made it look like a Kia CX-5.

 

[forties]

As a long-termer, the whole appeal of the CX5 is that its simple. No hybrid parts, no turbo parts. While still retaining excellent efficiency and power on low octane due to the pseudo miller cycle. I can get complexity in other makes, but that is not conducive to a vehicle you will want to keep around more than ten years. And 180hp is enough to get me into trouble.

Is the turbo drive train the same as the base model? Imagine a given drive train having to deal with 35% lower maximum torque over a lifespan. How does that kind of lower stress life affect longevity of components?

 

[mutualcore]

One of the disappointing things is it seems Mazda has opted for more hard plastics on the door panels instead of soft touch materials.

 

[Frankiestoy]

Looks like a smaller CX-90/70 I personally don’t like the front end but I can see the remodel improvements. Im not into Hybrids or EV vehicles and prefer to stick with what I know and went with the 2.5 NA . I recently purchased a CX-50 but had considered the CX-5 and after seeing this I still think i made the right decision for me .

 

[N7turbo]

Is the turbo drive train the same as the base model? Imagine a given drive train having to deal with 35% lower maximum torque over a lifespan. How does that kind of lower stress life affect longevity of components?

It's a different transmission. Everything is bigger/thicker in the turbo trans.