2026 Mazda CX-5: What's New, Trims, Specs & Features
The 2026 Mazda CX-5 is a fully redesigned third-generation model with a standard 12.9-inch touchscreen and Google Built-in across all trims. It rides on a longer wheelbase than the outgoing model, adding rear cabin space and cargo room. This page covers every trim, every key change, and links to current CX-5 inventory at Tuscaloosa Mazda.
What's New for 2026
The 2026 CX-5 is not a refresh. It is a ground-up third-generation redesign, making it the most significant update to the nameplate since its second generation launched in 2017.
The wheelbase grows by 4.5 inches compared to the prior generation. That single change unlocks more rear legroom, more shoulder room, and a cargo area that now measures 33.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 66.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
Every trim in the 2026 lineup now ships with a 12.9-inch center touchscreen as standard, replacing the smaller display carried over from the prior generation. The top trim, 2.5 S Premium Plus, steps up further to a 15.6-inch touchscreen. Google Built-in, powered by Gemini, is standard across all five trims, with a complimentary one-year trial covering Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play.
The i-ACTIVSENSE safety suite expands significantly. Rear Automatic Emergency Braking with pedestrian detection, Blind Spot Assist, Emergency Lane Keeping, Traffic Sign Recognition, and Safe Exit Warning are now standard from the base 2.5 S. The 2026 CX-5 has earned the IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ award, and as of July 2026, Mazda holds more 2026 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards than any other brand. 2026 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ results
Suspension tuning for the 2026 CX-5 draws inspiration from the MX-5 Miata platform, targeting a more connected and balanced ride. The rear door opening is wider, and the rear bench shifts to a flexible 40:20:40 split configuration, improving rear passenger access and cargo flexibility.
2026 Mazda CX-5 safety features
Trim Lineup
The 2026 CX-5 is available in five trims, all with i-Activ AWD standard.
2.5 S
2.5 S is the starting point and arrives with more equipment than any prior base CX-5. Standard features include the 12.9-inch center touchscreen, Google Built-in with a one-year trial, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, cloth seating, and the full standard i-ACTIVSENSE safety suite.
2.5 S Select
2.5 S Select adds privacy glass, power-folding and heated exterior mirrors, leatherette seating with embossed microsuede inserts, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, rear seat air vents, and Smart Keyless entry and start.
2.5 S Preferred
2.5 S Preferred moves up to 19-inch alloy wheels and adds a power liftgate with programmable height, roof rails, a full-color head-up display projected onto the windshield, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat with two-position memory, and a Homelink garage door opener.
2.5 S Premium
2.5 S Premium upgrades to genuine leather seating, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a 6-way power-adjustable passenger seat, a Bose 12-speaker audio system with SiriusXM 360L, a panoramic sunroof, front and rear signature LED illumination, piano-black exterior trim accents, color-selectable ambient lighting on the front door trim, and rear USB-C ports.
2.5 S Premium Plus
2.5 S Premium Plus is the top trim and adds a 15.6-inch center touchscreen, a hands-free power liftgate, paddle shifters, a Personalization System, an Adaptive Front-Lighting System, Front Cross Traffic Alert and Braking, Driver Monitoring, a 360-degree camera with underfloor and parking views, and Cruising and Traffic Support with Lane Change Assist.
Performance and Powertrain
Every 2026 CX-5 uses the same engine: a Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder producing 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque on regular unleaded 87 octane. The engine includes cylinder deactivation and i-STOP technology to improve real-world fuel efficiency.
Power routes through a SKYACTIV-Drive 6-speed automatic transmission with a manual-shift mode and sport mode. i-Activ AWD is standard on every trim. Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) provides Normal, Sport, and Off-Road modes, giving drivers a tunable character for varied conditions.
EPA-estimated fuel economy is 24 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined. 2026 Mazda CX-5 EPA fuel economy Towing capacity is rated at 1,500 lbs. Fuel tank capacity is 15.3 gallons.
The chassis uses an independent MacPherson strut front suspension and an independent multi-link rear suspension, both with stabilizer bars. The suspension calibration draws from MX-5 Miata development priorities, prioritizing steering feel and ride balance over a softened, isolated character.
Interior, Comfort and Cargo
The 2026 CX-5 seats five across two rows. The cabin redesign focuses on what Mazda calls a human-centric layout, reducing visual clutter and placing frequently used controls closer to hand. New steering wheel controls give quicker access to media, navigation, and vehicle settings without requiring the driver to reach for the touchscreen.
The rear seat is now a 40:20:40 split, an improvement over the traditional 60:40 layout. The wider rear door opening makes entry and exit easier for rear passengers. Rear legroom measures 39.9 inches, and rear headroom (without sunroof) is 40.2 inches.
Cargo capacity behind the second row is 33.7 cubic feet. With the rear seats folded, maximum cargo volume reaches 66.5 cubic feet. The liftgate opening width is 42.8 inches, and the threshold height from ground is 28.7 inches, making loading gear and luggage straightforward.
The base 2.5 S comes in cloth. The 2.5 S Select and Preferred use leatherette with embossed microsuede inserts. Leather arrives on the 2.5 S Premium and Premium Plus, with ventilated front seats and heated rear seats also included at that level.
Dual-zone automatic climate control is standard across the lineup. Rear seat air vents join at the Select trim. Ambient lighting with color selection is standard on Premium and above.
Technology and Infotainment
The 2026 CX-5 brings the largest screens in the nameplate's history. A 12.9-inch center touchscreen is standard on the 2.5 S through 2.5 S Premium. The 2.5 S Premium Plus carries a 15.6-inch center touchscreen. Both screens support touch control and display Google Built-in's native interface.
Google Built-in with Gemini enables hands-free voice control for navigation, HVAC, radio, and more through Google Assistant, reducing the need to interact with the screen while driving. The complimentary trial covers one year.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across all trims. Wired integration is on the base 2.5 S; wireless integration starts at the 2.5 S Select and continues through every trim above it. Wireless smartphone charging is also standard from the Select and up.
The 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster is standard on all trims. A full-color head-up display projecting onto the windshield is available from the 2.5 S Preferred and above.
Mazda Connect with Connected Services, including the MyMazda app with remote start, lock and unlock, and vehicle location, is included with a one-year trial. Front dual USB-C ports are standard on all trims. Rear USB-C ports (two) arrive at the Premium level.
The Bose 12-speaker system with SiriusXM 360L satellite radio (including a three-month trial) is standard on the 2.5 S Premium and 2.5 S Premium Plus. The base through Preferred trims use an 8-speaker audio system with HD Radio.
Safety and Driver Assistance
The 2026 CX-5 expands its standard i-ACTIVSENSE safety suite beyond any previous CX-5 generation. The following systems are standard on every trim from the base 2.5 S:
Forward collision warning with Smart Brake Support, Turn-Across Traffic mitigation, and Head-On Collision mitigation are all standard. Rear Smart Brake Support with Rear Cross Traffic Alert and pedestrian detection is standard. Emergency Lane Keeping, which includes Blind Spot Assist, Road Keep Assist, and Head-on Traffic Avoidance, is standard. Blind Spot Monitoring, Traffic Sign Recognition, Driver Attention Alert, Safe Exit Warning, and front and rear parking sensors are also standard across the lineup.
Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Speed Limit Assist is standard on every trim. A rearview camera with Dynamic Line and Tow Hitch Guide is standard on all five trims. 10 airbags are standard, covering front dual, front knee, front side, front curtain, and rear side impact positions.
The 2.5 S Premium Plus adds Front Cross Traffic Alert and Braking, Driver Monitoring, a 360-degree View Monitor (with underfloor and parking views), an Adaptive Front-Lighting System, and Cruising and Traffic Support with Lane Change Assist.
The 2026 CX-5 has earned a 2026 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ award. Mazda was also named Consumer Reports' first-ever Safest New-Car Brand. Consumer Reports Safest New-Car Brand
Mazda makes four key advanced safety technologies standard across its entire lineup, from the MX-5 Miata to the CX-90, because safety coverage should not depend on trim selection.
Who It's For and How It Compares to the Prior Year
The 2026 CX-5 is the right choice for compact SUV shoppers who want a premium feel without moving to a larger segment. The redesign is a meaningful step forward, not a cosmetic update.
Shoppers upgrading from a second-generation CX-5 (2017 to 2025) will notice the larger rear cabin immediately. The 4.5-inch wheelbase gain translates directly to usable rear legroom. The 12.9-inch standard touchscreen and Google Built-in are entirely new. The expanded safety suite adds Rear Automatic Emergency Braking and Safe Exit Warning that were not standard on prior generation trims.
The 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G engine carrying 187 hp is familiar in character but now includes cylinder deactivation for improved everyday efficiency. Fuel economy holds at 24 city and 30 highway, consistent with the outgoing model.
For shoppers in Tuscaloosa and surrounding areas considering competitors like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, or Subaru Forester, the 2026 CX-5 leads the segment with standard AWD, a broader standard safety suite, and a cabin design calibrated around driver engagement rather than pure utility.
See the 2026 Mazda CX-5 at Tuscaloosa Mazda
The 2026 CX-5 is in inventory now. If you're in Tuscaloosa or coming in from nearby communities, the Tuscaloosa Mazda team can walk you through every trim, compare specs side by side, and put you in one for a drive. Every CX-5 comes backed by a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Check current inventory online and reach out to schedule your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2026 Mazda CX-5 an all-new model?
Yes. The 2026 CX-5 is a fully redesigned third-generation model, not a mid-cycle refresh. It features a longer wheelbase, a new interior layout, larger touchscreens, Google Built-in with Gemini as standard, and an expanded suite of standard i-ACTIVSENSE safety features.
What engine does the 2026 Mazda CX-5 have?
The 2026 CX-5 uses a Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine producing 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and standard i-Activ AWD across all trims.
What is the fuel economy of the 2026 Mazda CX-5?
The EPA-estimated fuel economy is 24 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined on regular unleaded 87 octane.
How many trims does the 2026 Mazda CX-5 come in?
The 2026 CX-5 is available in five trims: 2.5 S, 2.5 S Select, 2.5 S Preferred, 2.5 S Premium, and 2.5 S Premium Plus. All five come with standard i-Activ AWD.
What is the cargo space in the 2026 Mazda CX-5?
Cargo space behind the second row is 33.7 cubic feet. With the rear seats folded, maximum cargo volume reaches 66.5 cubic feet.
Does the 2026 Mazda CX-5 have Google Built-in?
Yes. Google Built-in, powered by Gemini, is standard on all five 2026 CX-5 trims. It includes Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play with a complimentary one-year trial. It enables hands-free voice control for navigation, HVAC, radio, and other functions.
Is Apple CarPlay standard on the 2026 Mazda CX-5?
Yes. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across all five trims. Wired integration is on the base 2.5 S; wireless integration is standard from the 2.5 S Select and above.
Does the 2026 CX-5 have a safety rating?
Yes. The 2026 Mazda CX-5 has earned the 2026 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ award, the highest safety recognition from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. As of July 2026, Mazda holds more 2026 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards than any other brand.
Where can I see the 2026 Mazda CX-5 near Tuscaloosa?
Tuscaloosa Mazda carries the 2026 CX-5 in inventory. Use the inventory link on this page to browse available trims, or contact the dealership to schedule a test drive.
