Feelings about the 2026 CX-5 eliminating turbo and physical buttons?

[stickerbush]

Thinking off the top of my head here...is it possible that young people that grew up with smartphones might prefer touch screens? No, they are not a significant segment of the people that purchase new Mazdas now but at some point they will be.

 

[ADS-B]

You're screwed, is what. Some prototypes for the Apple Car had no steering wheel - !! I'll bet pilots have (let's say ...) "strong" opinions about replacing knobs with touch screens. Looking at this pic of the A380 cockpit, I imagine rephrasing that line of Jack Nicholson as the Joker: Where does he get all those wonderful knobs?
View attachment 344005
Beyond that ... buttons / knobs are safer and drivers seem to prefer physical controls (see Wired link I posted earlier -- 89% surveyed "preferred physical buttons.") I imagine that the screen-preference folks are not driving enthusiasts and just want what looks "good" and works well enough, and -- they are used to their phones / tablets. But it wouldn't take long, I'll bet, for those owners to miss knobs for volume, for interior temperature / fan, etc. The idea of digging through menus, noooo...

Future joint venture between Mazda and Airbus, 2040 Mazda CX-A320

 

[DarkskiesIL]

Future joint venture between Mazda and Airbus, 2040 Mazda CX-A320

Hey, I've been patient - where's my flying car? Just keep the knobs

 

[BoomerZoomr]

Thinking off the top of my head here...is it possible that young people that grew up with smartphones might prefer touch screens? No, they are not a significant segment of the people that purchase new Mazdas now but at some point they will be.

I am guessing that the move towards touch screens is because it’s cheaper to manufacture than making buttons, switches and knobs.
Years ago I saw that move with DSLR cameras. I much preferred to be able to adjust something directly on the back of the camera, vs going into a menu.

 

[Trip CX90]

We not only need buttons but good buttons. Something as simple as adjusting the mirrors in my CX90 is frustrating. The controls on the armrest are flat and indistinguishable from each other. I can’t adjust the mirrors without looking down to see what I clicked on. The round knob was so super intuitive to use …. Dial left right to choose side, dial straight down to fold mirrors, and push up down left right to adjust. And it took up lees space.

 

[Gozo]

I am guessing that the move towards touch screens is because it’s cheaper to manufacture than making buttons, switches and knobs.

I agree that the screens are cheaper when dealing with parts count and assembly time. Also, they look all modern and techy. And that stuff sells.
However, being a bit of an old guy, I like to spend most of my driving time looking out the windshield and keeping my eyes on the road, conditions, other vehicles, assorted random animals that might decide to jump out on the road, you know, stuff like that. Once I’m familiar with the car, it’s nice to just reach down without looking to adjust the heat or music or such.
It may only take 3 or 4 seconds to go through a menu choice or two but in that time I’ve missed 300’ or so of road stuff.

 

[N7turbo]

Devil's Advocate: the screen is also for your passenger to operate, and it will be a big upgrade for them.

 

[gazelle]

Years ago I saw that move with DSLR cameras. I much preferred to be able to adjust something directly on the back of the camera, vs going into a menu.

As I understand DSLR world has moved past the touchscreen hype and touchscreen is only used as aux control, like focus control / playback navigation.
This tug of war is everywhere.
Garmin watch introduced touchscreen a couple of years ago. It's not helping in any way, myself and most people I know have it disabled, fortunately all touch screen controls are duplicated with physical buttons.

 

[gazelle]

this is iX3 2026. The most drastic interior UX redesign, they removed the dash completely replacing it with window projection, but still left some buttons. Now that I think about it, these are probably the most critical ones to me. I use volume control all the time, and in winter the windcreen/back window heating is something that requires instant access. BTW wondering if in 2026 the rear window heater is still called "defogger" and turns off every 15 minutes? It's a hustle to keep turning it on like 10 times during my winter drives, touchscreen menu is going to make it even worse. Why can't they make it automatic, like Jag S-type had it 20 years ago?

 

[cz5gt]

After all the years of pushing back against this trend -- I'll bet this was a really intense discussion at the company. I'm sorry the bean counters won, because -- all things being equal, why would someone pick a Tesla'd Mazda CX-5 against a similar interior of another brand that also has a hybrid? It feels like exactly the wrong time for this move. I hope someone kept the molds / designs so it won't take too much to bring back physical controls. In the meantime, enthusiasts will turn to Subaru and others.

Fully agree. Shame on Mazda. I also think their target customer is probably younger generation (genz etc) who adore large touch tablets.
My next car wont be a CX5 thats for sure.

on my other car the screen didnt turn on due to high heat... bye bye AC controls... and it didnt work until the cabin cooled and without an option to turn on the ac or even fan (if they were off).... you get the idea.

 

[Point37]

personally don't care about the turbo as i don't have one...but the buttons are probably a deal breaker for me...i know it's cheaper to produce a screen with software but it also causes you to have to go to the dealer if you have any issue with the screen/software vs just replace switches...if the screen goes down how do you have access to all your hvac controls

 

[ridenfish39]

The lack of buttons isn't a deal breaker for me,. But the car is bigger now, which = heavier. The 186 hp standard motor was barely enough power for me, so the new one will be even more slow. I'll wait til the hybrid is released and see what they do with that

 

[cxha]

Although I much prefer the physical buttons on the current model, I could live with the new setup, but until Mazda provides the new model with adequate power, I'll pass.

There's really nothing on the 2026s that's better for me; I like the current size, styling, and turbo power, so I'll see what kind of close-outs the dealers are offering on 2025 Signatures later this year.

BTW, is Hiroshima still producing the current model, or have they begun preparing for the switch to the '26s?

With a few 2025 SRCM Signatures lingering on N. California lots I was able to work out a good price on one. Thanks to Mazda for the revised 2026... without it we'd still be driving our 2022 Eternal Blue Signature. That one was ordered @ MSRP during the dregs of COVID when lots were bare. With today's current discounts we actually paid less for the new one than the same model 3 years ago!

 

[digitialdoc7]

after having my 2023 cx5 turbo I could live with the different control/infortainment set up. not having a turbo is a deal breaker for me..I have been driving since the 70's and this is my first turbo and frankly I Love it...I have had muscle cars and hemi's etc including a 6.4 (392) and I love putting my cx5 turbo in sport mode and running around....

Feel the same. The 2026 without a turbo offered, and no other optional engine is just not that compelling.

 

[chickdr]

Agree on most points here. I think Mazda really muffed this one up. They have a great engine in the 2.5T and still offer it in other models so why not at least keep it for the 26 model year then switch to a hybrid if it makes sense? I can't think of a reason I would switch from my 21 turbo to a bigger. heavier CX-5 with the NA 187hp engine which will likely be even slower than the current gen NA model. I know final specs haven't been released, but how could it be anything, but heavier?

 

[jadmt]

kind of seems like most current turbo owners will be passing on upgrading to a new CX5, me included so that begs the question what percentage of cx5 sold since the turbo came out are turbos? must not be enough to matter to Mazda. I have been getting emails daily from Mazda pushing me to look at trading my paid off 2023 CX5 turbo for a CX50....it makes me laugh because the emails always begin with something like "you have owned your Cx5 turbo long enough you may owe less on it that it is worth making it a great time to trade" or something similar....they then list a few models of CX50's that might interest me..usually the lower models and so far none have been turbos....

 

[wlong01]

kind of seems like most current turbo owners will be passing on upgrading to a new CX5, me included so that begs the question what percentage of cx5 sold since the turbo came out are turbos? must not be enough to matter to Mazda. I have been getting emails daily from Mazda pushing me to look at trading my paid off 2023 CX5 turbo for a CX50....it makes me laugh because the emails always begin with something like "you have owned your Cx5 turbo long enough you may owe less on it that it is worth making it a great time to trade" or something similar....they then list a few models of CX50's that might interest me..usually the lower models and so far none have been turbos....

It's possible Mazda realized they weren't selling many CX-50's so they dropped the turbo in the CX-5 to push people who want the CX-5 turbo to the CX-50. Won't work.

 

[BoomerZoomr]

A hybrid with similar power to the turbo would have at least been a good effort. I have read that in 2027 the CX-5 hybrid will arrive with 217 horsepower… meh

 

[jadmt]

need more turbo....AI to the rescue

 

[chickdr]

A hybrid with similar power to the turbo would have at least been a good effort. I have read that in 2027 the CX-5 hybrid will arrive with 217 horsepower… meh

Where did you read this? That sounds like the Toyota hybrid used in the CX-50. I heard the system for the CX-5 will be a Mazda design. Mazda also said the hybrid will rival the performance of the current 2.5T motor. If we are talking about a bigger/heavier car it will certainly need more than 217hp. I would think it needs closer to 300hp to be quicker than the current turbo. I have said it several times, Mazda already has a 326hp hybrid using the skyactiv 2.5 for the CX-90 PHEV. Why not adapt it for the new CX-5? I understand the CX-90 is RWD based but why couldn't it be adapted? It is centered around the same 2.5L used in the CX-5 anyway.