Official 2026 Mazda CX-5 Pics and Details Released

[jadmt]

pano roof is nothing I need or even want, as is the bigger screen. maybe the ride is really good but the things I like about my 23 cx5 ie the soft interior no start stop or cylinder deactivation and more more importantly for me the acceleration factor are things that probably will keep me in my current one until I get bored with it.

 

[chickdr]

It's pretty lame there are no upgraded versions available at launch. I think they should have waited to release until a new powertrain was available. An extra 150 lbs with no increase in power? Nope....

 

[cz5gt]

Has anyone seen what the config options are for the dash display/gauges? The few reviews I've seen show just digital displays for speedo, etc. Anyone know if you can configure 'old style' analog circular gauges?

no you cannot. its what you see. Old style and circular speedo is gone. If one needs that the 2025 cx5 and cx50 are only options.

It does show navigation directions and safety assistance in the dash too. its basically like the previous gen bmw digital dash with more limited abilities. i.e cant show map in the cluster, etc.
but you can see the car lanes and nearby detected cars if you are the top trim with the advanced l2 lane assist and cruise control.

The 2026 owners manual is live now and options can be seen.

Worst part to me is if you have no cell coverage the google voice assist has limited options so one is stuck with the touch screen only. May be in future update they will fix it with some offline feature.

Extended warranty may be good idea for long term owning as now if the touch screen or digital cluster go bad the car is unusable.

 

[cz5gt]

This was the review I was referencing in my previous response stating iStop and CD being gone for the 2026 model year. Which prompted me to look on Mazda's website. I haven't found any reference to iStop and CD which were there initially when the 2026 model page went live.

both istop and cd are there. Dont trust everyone and his uncle who make videos for profit

Good news is the engine and trans are very responsive (not fast but responsive). The car handling is still pretty good for twisted roads or relaxed cruising. And seats are new and improved.

 

[JSchmo]

This was the review I was referencing in my previous response stating iStop and CD being gone for the 2026 model year. Which prompted me to look on Mazda's website. I haven't found any reference to iStop and CD which were there initially when the 2026 model page went live.

If you use the Mazda USA Builder to build a vehicle, then check its Standard specs you will see CD and IStop present on all 2026 CX-5 trims levels. Now, whether that is actually correct...that is hard to say. In my opinion, now that the CAFE credits are gone, Mazda should just update the software to allow us to toggle the feature on or off as needed. That would solve all issues, give the driver the control!

 

[BoomerZoomr]

It's pretty lame there are no upgraded versions available at launch. I think they should have waited to release until a new powertrain was available. An extra 150 lbs with no increase in power? Nope....

That way if they release a more powerful version in a year or two, some people will trade-in their 2026. Seems like all these car manufacturers like to piecemeal to their customers.

 

[sm1ke]

both istop and cd are there. Dont trust everyone and his uncle who make videos for profit

Care to cite a source? I see i-Stop mentioned in the 2026 Owner's Manual, but I couldn't see anything regarding CD. Online vehicle builder shows CD and i-Stop in Standard Features section.

I suppose if it's possible that reviewers would put their credibility on the line to lie about CD and i-Stop, it's also possible (and IMO, more likely) that Mazda's website designers and/or owner's manual editors left some info in there that shouldn't have been there. Having worked in the aerospace and agricultural equipment industry writing and editing operator's manuals, I can see oversights like these happening, where they simply forgot to remove a portion of the text from the final draft.

Guess we'll have to wait and see for units to hit the lots and check for ourselves.

 

[BoomerZoomr]

I can see why Mazda would have to inform the customer of i-Stop… I don’t know that they would have to provide information about cylinder deactivation, since it operates "behind the scenes".

 

[VQ35DE]

All the 2026’s have both.

 

[cz5gt]

Care to cite a source? I see i-Stop mentioned in the 2026 Owner's Manual, but I couldn't see anything regarding CD. Online vehicle builder shows CD and i-Stop in Standard Features section.

I suppose if it's possible that reviewers would put their credibility on the line to lie about CD and i-Stop, it's also possible (and IMO, more likely) that Mazda's website designers and/or owner's manual editors left some info in there that shouldn't have been there. Having worked in the aerospace and agricultural equipment industry writing and editing operator's manuals, I can see oversights like these happening, where they simply forgot to remove a portion of the text from the final draft.

Guess we'll have to wait and see for units to hit the lots and check for ourselves.

its on the mazda usa page. Build a trim (any) and it shows. Its also in their official for dealer documention and may be the owner manual.

Truth be told, the Mazda CD is one of the best in the class. It works. Yes they had issues in the past but they are miles ahead of other CD attempts from different car brands.

There is always the chance they hit some part shortages like in 2024 and release some models without the CD.

"Mazda reserves the right to change product specifications at any time without incurring obligations"

 

[hoodlum]

i-Stop is mentioned in both the Canada and US spec PDF, but CD is only mentioned in the US Spec PDF.

Canada

https://en.media.mazda.ca/download/2026+Mazda+CX-5+Specifications+and+Features.pdf

US

https://news.mazdausa.com/download/2026.01.13+26MY+CX5+Spec+Deck+FINAL%5B25%5D.pdf

 

[BoomerZoomr]

I wouldn’t call Cylinder Deactivation and i-Stop a "feature"

 

[ADS-B]

I am so happy that I ran to the dealership, back in November, to get my hands on a CX-5 Turbo! The more I watch these reviews, the more I like my choice.

 

[BoomerZoomr]

I am so happy that I ran to the dealership, back in November, to get my hands on a CX-5 Turbo! The more I watch these reviews, the more I like my choice.

Yea, same here. I was waiting for the bigger 2026 CX-5, but when I heard 'no turbo', I rushed to get a 2025 turbo model.
My previous SUV was a V6 RAV4… and the wife’s Mazda6 has the turbo engine. So while the normally aspirated Mazda engine is great, I knew the more powerful offering is what it would take to make me happy. What’s not to love about 320 lb-ft torque @ 2500 rpm?

 

[JSchmo]

I wouldn’t call Cylinder Deactivation and i-Stop a "feature"

Honestly if they just allowed it to be toggled on/off in the vehicle settings it could be considered as such

 

[ADS-B]

The two water bottles... OMG I think they are present in every review.

 

[sm1ke]

Honestly if they just allowed it to be toggled on/off in the vehicle settings it could be considered as such

i-Stop can be turned off according to the Owner's Manual, but ideally you'd be able to turn it off and it would remember the setting. As it stands, based on the Owner's Manual, you'd have to turn it off every time you start the car.

I think it would have been best if Mazda simply added physical buttons in the dash to the left of the steering wheel, where you could toggle CD and i-Stop on and off. Even if it turns back on at engine start up, disabling it would be quick and easy.

 

[chickdr]

Huge mistake if that is how it is (having to go into the touchscreen to disable every time you drive).

 

[JSchmo]

Agree. The big step is getting Mazda to allow us to switch of CD at all. Even if just disabling in Sport mode! I actually like the feature for semi-urban driving- its absolutely seamless and definitely saves a meaningful amount of gas (10%). But I hate CD on steady highway 55mph+...here the it degrades the driving experience due to constant subtle changes.

By letting the driver choose we can also temper any potential reliability issues, focusing its activation on medium length medium speed journies, avoid running engine in 2 cyl mode for long hauls.

 

[Martyd]

Agree. The big step is getting Mazda to allow us to switch of CD at all. Even if just disabling in Sport mode! I actually like the feature for semi-urban driving- its absolutely seamless and definitely saves a meaningful amount of gas (10%). But I hate CD on steady highway 55mph+...here the it degrades the driving experience due to constant subtle changes.

By letting the driver choose we can also temper any potential reliability issues, focusing its activation on medium length medium speed journies, avoid running engine in 2 cyl mode for long hauls.

2 cyl mode?