The new Mazda CX-5 arrives in the UK next year

The Mazda CX-5 has finally been updated after almost nine years.

Hard to believe, but the second-generation CX-5 first arrived back in 2017. You can see why Mazda has resisted the urge to tinker with the formula too much as the CX-5 has proved to be incredibly popular family SUV for the company. Mazda has sold some 850,000 cars in Europe and the second-generation CX-5, is Mazda’s best-selling car in the UK. 

With that much at stake, there’s a lot riding on this third-generation Mazda CX-5. Bigger and longer than the model it replaces, the new CX-5 will compete against the likes of the recently updated Audi Q3, Volvo XC40 and Volkswagen Tiguan. 

New 2026 Mazda CX-5: price and release date

The new Mazda CX-5 is due to go on sale across Europe in early 2026, with right-hand drive UK cars expected to appear a little later after that. Pricing in the UK is also still to be confirmed, but initially pricing in Europe looks like the CX-5 will start at around 35,000 euros.

Mazda CX-5 exterior and dimensions

It’ll probably come as no surprise to discover that the new CX-5 is bigger than its predecessor, now 115mm longer at 4690mm, 15mm wider at 1650mm, and 30mm taller at 1695mm. Mazda has also increased the wheelbase by 115mm to extend the cabin, with now much more legroom in the rear of the car.

It’s not just passengers who’ll benefit from the increase in size. The boot now has a capacity up to 583 litres, an increase of 61 litres compared to the older model. It also has a flatter floor and comes with a lower load area.

In such a competitive sector, Mazda's paid a lot of attention to the look of the CX-5. Mazda wanted to maintain the overall silhouette that can be found on the two previous models, but with a new 'Wearable Gear' design concept - basically to make it look stylish and functional at the same time. 

The new car then has a raised front end that Mazda reckon's given the CX-5 more presence, while the overall look is intended to have a more firm and steady stance. There are some nice little details when you look around the car, with some striking new headlights and subtle notches on the wheel arches. These actually reference 'Kigumi' - a traditional joint in Japanese woodwork that relies on precisely carved joints, while 'Mazda' lettering replaces a lot of the badging for a more premium feel.

New Mazda CX-5 interior and infotainment

Technology has moved on quite a bit since 2017 and while the current CX-5's interior and infotainment system has been updated over the years, the latest model moves things on quite a bit. The most obvious is the arrival of a huge 15.6-inch central touchscreen, though a slightly smaller 12.9-inch display is in lower-grade models. That also means that pretty much all physical buttons have disappeared from the dash, with pretty much every facet controlled by the infotainment display.

One of the reasons for this switch is that the new CX-5 has Google built-in, which you'll find often referred to as Android Automotive. Not to be confused with Android Auto phone mirroring, the whole interface in the CX-5 is built around Google functionality, with things like Google Maps and Google Assistant baked into the system. That means hands-free voice control is possible, while you can download additional apps from Google Play. 

Along with this is a 10.25-inch digital dash that can provide turn by turn directions, while the steering wheel has been overhauled and redesigned to include commonly used controls.

The design of the cabin has also been significantly revamped - Mazda believes it embodies the principle of 'Ma', a key pillar of Japanese aesthetics that prioritise space, balance, and harmony. As such, the interior has a clean and uncluttered appearance, with ambient lighting available in seven different colours and a panoramic roof on higher trim grades. 

New 2026 Mazda CX-5 engines

Mazda's keeping things nice and simply with the CX-5 and offering just one engine - a 2.5-litre petrol engine with 141PS and coupled with 24V mild-hybrid technology. Badged 2.5 e-Skyactiv G 141, this unit replaces a 2.0-litre unit in the previous model and the larger displacement of the newer engine promises to deliver better everyday performance and refinement. The new engine will see the CX-5 hit 62mph in 10.5 seconds, while compared to the older engine, torque delivery below 4,500 rpm is improved by 8-19% (depending on load and driving conditions. The new Mazda CX-5 has a towing capacity of 2000kg.

Along with the new engine, Mazda has updated both the chassis and suspension, tweaking it for European roads. This sees softer springs, adjusted size of anti-roll bars and carefully tuned dampers that should see better ride comfort than before. For a more engaging drive, the steering feel has been worked over, while pedal response has also been improved according to Mazda. 

As well as front-wheel drive, some trim grades will offer and all-wheel drive option, which incorporates Mazda's i-ACTIV AWD system that is able to shift torque and load balance for a better stability and control. 

The CX-5 also gets a comprehensive list of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), which includes things like Smart Brake Support (SBS), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and Driver Emergency Assist (DEA). 

Mazda CX-5 vs Mazda CX-60

As the CX-5 is only 55mm shorter than the Mazda CX-60, the brand's other family SUV. So what separates the two? On paper at least, the new CX-5 is a bit more practical, with a slightly larger boot by just under 15 litres, while it should also be a more affordable option (though pricing in the UK is still to be confirmed).  

The CX-60 though it positioned as an even more premium offering, with a wide engine choice, including an inline six-cylinder diesel and plug-in hybrid option.