Official 2026 Mazda CX-5 Pics and Details Released

[Snake]

One reviewer on YT put it in Sport Mode to show that it has a better 0-60 time. But the CX-5 isn't a hot rod. It's a nice looking, well built, economy CUV. Even if it is a whole second slower, it will still get you up that freeway on ramp and up to highway speed in reasonable time.

Or, would you rather have an ugly RAV4. (barf)

 

[N7turbo]

One reviewer on YT put it in Sport Mode to show that it has a better 0-60 time

Better than Normal mode?

The only way to go faster is by altering torque converter stall speed (not possible), gearing (not possible), engine output power, or shift RPM. The last two would imply that Normal mode slows the engine, which is not how Mazda has done things in the last 13 years of Skyactiv.

 

[Snake]

Better than Normal mode?

The only way to go faster is by altering torque converter stall speed (not possible), gearing (not possible), engine output power, or shift RPM. The last two would imply that Normal mode slows the engine, which is not how Mazda has done things in the last 13 years of Skyactiv.

Yes, faster than normal mode. The vehicle weighs a few hundred pounds more than the last gen since it's larger so a slower 0-60 speed is to be excepted and should be accepted. Comparing the last gen to the new gen is like comparing apples to oranges. Different animal. Different design. But it's still a Mazda. Therefore, it should be a well built, reliable vehicle. Reviewers say that it's quieter in the cabin than the Gen 2. There's a plus for us daily drivers and the added interior space is a huge bonus. The ride quality is supposed to be better mannered so that huge for me because our '24 Select has a choppy ride compared to my well mannered '19 CRV EX. Lots of grumbling about the disappearance of touch controls but we live in a computerized world and that's where vehicle technology has gone. We do everything by touching a screen on our cellphones. Is there anyone here grumbling about that convenience? I for one support the new Gen. It has two improvements that I've been waiting for in a CX-5 and it still offers a NA/auto trans drivetrain. How any reliable auto makers can say that?

Oh, and Happy Easter!

 

[jadmt]

Better than Normal mode?

The only way to go faster is by altering torque converter stall speed (not possible), gearing (not possible), engine output power, or shift RPM. The last two would imply that Normal mode slows the engine, which is not how Mazda has done things in the last 13 years of Skyactiv.

it is probably a placebo effect as it feels more responsive.

 

[N7turbo]

it is probably a placebo effect as it feels more responsive.

Has to be. Only way to make Sport mode faster is to slow Normal mode.

 

[cz5gt]

Its a commute and family oriented car to go groceries, kids errands or vacation travel we cant expect more out of it.
The turbo is different story but sadly thats gone.

ps my 2018 NA is bit slower in Normal mode due to earlier gear shifts and who knows what else Mazda did. The torque and bhp of the NA is also at higher rpms. So in Sport its bit more responsive but sometimes it keeps revs too high . Thats my observation.

 

[N7turbo]

ps my 2018 NA is bit slower in Normal mode due to earlier gear shifts and who knows what else Mazda did. The torque and bhp of the NA is also at higher rpms

From a stop, 0-60?

Shift points are the same in both modes for me.

 

[jadmt]

From a stop, 0-60?

Shift points are the same in both modes for me.

while I have never used a stop watch to check actual 0-60 in sport mode but on mine when I am in sport mode, which I am a lot I feel quicker and it hangs in the lower gears longer. all anecdotal but seat of the pants feels quicker and for sure shift points are at a higher rpm...

 

[wlong01]

That reflector posing as a screen is a big NO for me. Reminds me of the side vents reflecting into the side view mirrors on the older CX-5's.

 

[N7turbo]

while I have never used a stop watch to check actual 0-60 in sport mode but on mine when I am in sport mode, which I am a lot I feel quicker and it hangs in the lower gears longer. all anecdotal but seat of the pants feels quicker and for sure shift points are at a higher rpm...

At partial throttle, yes. But at WOT the shifts are the same.

 

[Snake]

it is probably a placebo effect as it feels more responsive.

If it's anything like it is on my CRV, it keeps the RPM range higher. I've never tried Sport Mode on our CX-5.

 

[paris1]

My DD is a 2018 Mazda 3 GT with the same drive train (except for the all-important gearing!) as my wife's '23 NA CX-5. I use sport mode on the 3 on many of the hilly areas around here as it drops the transmission a gear and puts the engine right in its sweet spot. When my wife first got the CX-5, I encouraged her to do the same. However after trying it, she couldn't understand why I wanted her to do it so I drove the same areas switching between sport and normal on her car. It was immediately apparent to me that the CX-5 is geared considerably lower than my car in order to provide enough grunt to handle the extra 500# of weight. That meant it was generally in the correct gear on those hills and that switching to sport and dropping a gear simply created a lot of racket without appreciably enhancing performance. I told her to ignore my previous advice and we now never bother with sport. I do use the paddle shifters occasionally if I'm looking for a different gear, but that too is not nearly as useful as it is in my 3.

 

[N7turbo]

My DD is a 2018 Mazda 3 GT with the same drive train (except for the all-important gearing!) as my wife's '23 NA CX-5. I use sport mode on the 3 on many of the hilly areas around here as it drops the transmission a gear and puts the engine right in its sweet spot. When my wife first got the CX-5, I encouraged her to do the same. However after trying it, she couldn't understand why I wanted her to do it so I drove the same areas switching between sport and normal on her car. It was immediately apparent to me that the CX-5 is geared considerably lower than my car in order to provide enough grunt to handle the extra 500# of weight. That meant it was generally in the correct gear on those hills and that switching to sport and dropping a gear simply created a lot of racket without appreciably enhancing performance. I told her to ignore my previous advice and we now never bother with sport. I do use the paddle shifters occasionally if I'm looking for a different gear, but that too is not nearly as useful as it is in my 3.

Sport is ideal going downhill with a stop coming up. It will kick down without the shift shock of doing it manually.

 

[Snake]

Sport is ideal going downhill with a stop coming up. It will kick down without the shift shock of doing it manually.

That's an interesting way to look at it. As though it is a Hill Descent program. What I see it being used for is an aid to get the vehicle moving quicker from a dead stop, under load. Not for drag racing, but for dealing with carrying loads going uphill from a stop sign/signal or loaded down, climbing an uphill freeway on ramp.

 

[cxha]

That's an interesting way to look at it. As though it is a Hill Descent program. What I see it being used for is an aid to get the vehicle moving quicker from a dead stop, under load. Not for drag racing, but for dealing with carrying loads going uphill from a stop sign/signal or loaded down, climbing an uphill freeway on ramp.

This 6-speed has been so refined over the years that it works well in multiple situations. I use the Sport mode in my Signature every time I descend into Calistoga from Sonoma County down the steep grade on Petrified Forest Road and then again up and over Mt St Helena on Hwy 29. BTW, Mazdas are made for the roads up here in N. California!

 

[paris1]

Sport is ideal going downhill with a stop coming up. It will kick down without the shift shock of doing it manually.

It will do the same thing in regular drive mode. Just tap the brakes once or twice to let it know you need engine braking and the trans will drop a gear or two to provide what little help the Atkinson cycle engine can.

 

[N7turbo]

It will do the same thing in regular drive mode. Just tap the brakes once or twice to let it know you need engine braking and the trans will drop a gear or two to provide what little help the Atkinson cycle engine can.

It doesn't downshift for me.

 

[a69mach1377]

It doesn't downshift for me.

N7, are you still stock as far as tuning, etc.?

 

[paris1]

It doesn't downshift for me.

Don't know what to tell you. My 3 does the same thing no matter what mode I'm in.

 

[N7turbo]

N7, are you still stock as far as tuning, etc.?

Yep.