Mazda has long occupied an unusual place in the market, respected for its engineering, yet too often overshadowed by larger rivals with broader recognition. Its best products have consistently delivered polished chassis tuning, engaging steering, and a level of refinement that feels more premium than mainstream. With the CX-50, CX-70, and CX-90, Mazda appeared to be moving confidently toward the near-luxury space, edging closer into Infiniti, Acura and Lexus territory without abandoning its driver-focused identity. That is what makes the redesigned 2026 CX-5 feel so conflicted. Rather than advancing Mazda’s premium momentum, it seems to blur the brand’s message.

The challenge begins with positioning. The CX-5 now sits uncomfortably close to the CX-50, a model already pitched as Mazda’s more rugged, outdoorsy compact crossover. The CX-5 is meant to serve as the urban, refined alternative, but the distinction is becoming harder to justify. Sharing the same basic architecture only magnifies that overlap, making the two vehicles feel less like complementary choices and more like internal competition.

Dimensionally, the CX-5 remains slightly shorter and narrower than the CX-50, while standing a few inches taller. Visually, it still presents well. The redesigned front end is clean and sharply drawn, with crisper lines that give it a more mature presence. The rear treatment borrows from the upscale CX-90, including Mazda spelled across the tailgate, which adds a more premium impression.

Under the hood, the CX-5 loses one of its most compelling options of the higher-output turbocharged engine. In its place remains the familiar 187-horsepower 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder, paired with standard all-wheel drive; though not without some internal tweaks. Buyers wanting the stronger turbocharged performance will now have to move into the CX-50, which only adds to the sense that Mazda is steering the CX-5 into a narrower role. For everyday driving, the carryover engine is sufficient. Its power delivery is smooth and predictable, and the six-speed automatic gives the CX-5 a more linear, natural response.

A hybrid model is expected to arrive later, which could give the CX-5 the efficiency and performance lift it needs. Until then, the current version still leans on Mazda’s greatest strength. A vehicle does not have to be quick to be enjoyable, and Mazda has built much of its reputation on that idea, from the MX-5 to its crossovers. The new CX-5 continues that tradition with a chassis that feels composed, responsive, and pleasantly connected to the road. Ride quality is excellent, absorbing rough pavement without feeling loose or disconnected. Around town, the steering stands out, with a natural on-center feel and weight that makes the CX-5 easy to place confidently.

At first glance, the CX-5’s interior makes a strong impression. Mazda has given the cabin a cleaner, more upscale presentation, with leather that flows elegantly from the door panels into the dashboard and seats that feel both supportive and genuinely comfortable. The layout looks thoughtfully tailored, and in our Premium Plus model, that upscale impression is reinforced by a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a large head-up display, and an excellent Bose audio system. For a moment, the cabin suggests Mazda has successfully pushed the CX-5 further into premium territory.

However, once you interact with the cabin more, that initial sense of polish begins to fade.  Mazda appears to have followed the industry’s worst habit by removing too many physical controls. The absence of even a simple volume knob feels especially frustrating, because it replaces one of the easiest, most intuitive interactions in the car with another screen-based task.

Lower trims use a 12.9-inch infotainment display, which is still large but feels better proportioned to the dashboard and overall cabin layout. The Premium Plus model’s 15.6-inch screen, however, changes that impression. Instead of feeling neatly integrated, it dominates the interior and gives the dashboard a more awkward, afterthought-like appearance. Its placement also disrupts the symmetry of the center console and air vents, making an otherwise elegant cabin feel visually unsettled. That imbalance draws even more attention to the areas where the cabin falls short, with harder, cheaper-feeling plastics that become noticeable in key touchpoints. More concerning, though, is how unintuitive the system can be in daily use. Basic functions are buried within layered menus, turning simple tasks such as changing a radio station into something that demands far too much attention. In a moving vehicle, that is not just annoying; it undermines the sense of calm and control Mazda usually does so well.

To Mazda’s credit, the CX-5 does include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Google built-in software and Gemini voice assistance for select commands such as climate settings, volume, radio stations, etc… That helps soften the frustration, but only to a point. Key comfort features, including heated and ventilated seat controls and the heated steering wheel, still require interaction with the touchscreen climate control menu.

Against the broader compact-crossover market, the 2026 Mazda CX-5 still makes a convincing case for itself. With pricing starting just under $31,500, it remains competitive, and even our top-spec Premium Plus model, at $41,080, it delivers a strong mix of refinement, equipment, and Mazda’s trademark chassis tuning. Few rivals in this class feel as composed or as engaging from behind the wheel, and that dynamic advantage continues to be one of the CX-5’s strongest selling points. The problem is that its appeal is now harder to separate from its frustrations. The new touchscreen-heavy interface, lack of simple physical controls, and less intuitive cabin experience make the CX-5 feel less satisfying than it should. It is still a polished and capable compact crossover, but for the moment, its technology choices prevent it from feeling like the clear standout Mazda seems to want it to be.