They should of kept the turbo in the 2026 until the hybrid arrived. Once you've driven the turbo you don't want to go back.I'm not due for a new vehicle anytime soon so this is only my 2¢. I also prefer physical buttons. We know very little about the upcoming hybrid i.e total HP, torque, transmission type (CVT,eCVT, 6 or 8 speed). A full review including a road test will prove Mazda's claim that it's as fast as the turbo. There's a trend towards adding hybrids at the expense of optional more powerful engines; I can think of RAV4 no more V6, Outlander no more V6, Equinox/Terrain no more V6, Forester no more turbo, etc. No hybrids yet for Equinox/Terrain but the new Forester hybrid didn't impress the auto journalists.
I'm also wondering if Mazda will keep 3 different engines for the CX-50...Perhaps the 2.5 NA will be dropped? That would leave the turbo for those missing it dearly in the upcoming CX-5. The Mazda 3 and CX-30 used to have 3 different engines but the base 2.0L was dropped. Mazda is a small company so having only 2 engine choices per model makes sense. The CX-70/90 have 3 different engines but in fact only 2 if we consider the detuned version of the base trims.
Agreed, walking away from the top 10% of CX-5 sales for the 2026 model year seems like an oversight. Would Mazda have been better off to wait another year to introduce the revised model when they had both the NA 2.5 and the hybrid engine on offer?They should of kept the turbo in the 2026 until the hybrid arrived. Once you've driven the turbo you don't want to go back.
How does everybody feel about the 2026 eliminating the turbo and physical buttons?
As for physical buttons, I prefer them to all the digital screen electronica that seems to be so popular with cars. But if it's a boost in reliability and durability, it's probably the way of things. Current vehicle is a 2016 CX-5, with the "Commander" control button and 7" touch screen. Works fine, and I've gotten used to it well enough (it being my first touch screen type vehicle).
Until the Infotainment system doesn't work. Then nothing will work if you can't access the functions.