2026 Mazda CX-5 Specs, Price, and Release Date: Everything We Know

2026 Mazda CX-5 Specs, Price, and Release Date: Everything We Know

Don’t let the rising popularity of the CX-50 and CX-70 fool you the Mazda CX-5 remains the heart of Mazda’s SUV lineup. Last year, it helped propel the brand to its best sales performance in history, proving its enduring appeal. Now, for 2026, Mazda is reinventing its best-seller with its first major redesign in nearly a decade and it’s more than just a facelift.

Though the exterior retains Mazda’s elegant Kodo design language, the 2026 CX-5 is entirely new underneath. The wheelbase has grown by 4.5 inches, increasing the overall length to approximately 184.6 inches putting it in direct competition with the Honda CR-V (184.8") and Nissan Rogue (183.0").

That added length translates into real-world benefits:

• Larger door openings for easier entry and exit a fix for a long-standing complaint about the outgoing model
• A more spacious second row, with Mazda claiming it’s now one of the most generous in the class
• Increased cargo space, thanks to a longer and taller load floor

The rear hatch has been redesigned with a wider and half-inch lower opening, making it easier to load bulky items. Inside, cargo length grows by 2.0 inches, and load height increases by 1.0 inch.

2026 Mazda CX-5 Specs, Price, and Release Date: Everything We Know

Up front, the CX-5 wears a refreshed Kodo design that will soon spread across the entire lineup:

• Stacked LED headlights for a modern, technical look
• A sharper, more defined “Wing” grille
• Sculpted front bumper details that emphasize the SUV’s wider, more planted stance

At the rear, a new "MAZDA" wordmark badge spans the tailgate a design cue also found on the CX-70 and now carried into the cabin on the steering wheel. The taillights are slimmer and more angular, enhancing the premium feel. Top trims will offer sporty 19-inch alloy wheels, adding to the upscale presence.

For 2026, the CX-5 continues with the familiar 2.5L naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, producing 187 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive.

2026 Mazda CX-5 Specs, Price, and Release Date: Everything We Know

But Mazda is already looking ahead. In 2027, the CX-5 will be the first model to feature Mazda’s all-new Skyactiv-Z engine a next-generation powertrain paired with a dedicated Mazda hybrid system.

Unlike the CX-50, which uses a Toyota-sourced hybrid setup, the CX-5 will debut Mazda’s in-house hybrid technology. The company has already called the Skyactiv-Z the “ideal internal combustion engine”, promising higher thermal efficiency and a much broader torque range than the current Skyactiv-G.

The biggest leap forward is inside. The 2026 CX-5 debuts a massive 15.6-inch center touchscreen the largest ever on a Mazda running a new user interface with Google Built-In technology.

That means:

• Google Assistant for voice commands
• Google Maps with live traffic and EV routing
• Over-the-air updates and seamless smartphone integration

However, Mazda has removed all physical controls near the shifter no more command dial or volume knob. All infotainment adjustments must be made via the touchscreen or steering wheel-mounted hard buttons (thankfully, no capacitive touch controls real buttons remain on the wheel).

2026 Mazda CX-5 Specs, Price, and Release Date: Everything We Know

The 2026 CX-5 also gets an upgrade to Mazda’s latest Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), with new features for improved safety and convenience, including enhanced adaptive cruise, lane centering, and emergency braking.

Mazda hasn’t announced official pricing yet, but expect a modest increase over the 2025 model, which starts at $30,265 (including $1,495 destination). With the extensive updates, a starting price near $32,000 seems likely. The 2026 Mazda CX-5 is expected to arrive at dealerships before the end of 2025.

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