Mazda’s best-selling vehicle is coming back with more room to breathe — and a higher-tech personality.
The redesigned 2026 CX-5, now in its third generation, will arrive at dealerships in the coming months with a starting price of $29,990, Mazda said on Tuesday. The compact crossover, which has been the company’s top seller in the United States, gains noticeably more rear-seat legroom and cargo space while keeping the familiar proportions that made it a staple in suburban driveways and rental fleets alike.
From the outside, the new CX-5 looks evolutionary rather than radical. Mazda has refined its “Kodo” design language with slimmer LED headlights, a broader grille and a longer wheelbase that subtly stretches the vehicle’s stance. New paint options, including Navy Blue Mica, join longtime favorites like Soul Red Crystal and Polymetal Gray.
Under the hood, Mazda is sticking with what it knows. All versions of the CX-5 will use the company’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, producing 187 horsepower, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. Engineers have retuned the powertrain, suspension and traction systems to sharpen responsiveness and improve ride comfort, while adding updated drive modes for sportier or off-road-oriented driving.
Inside, the changes are more pronounced. The cabin has been redesigned to be quieter and more spacious, with a technology package that reflects how deeply software has become embedded in modern vehicles. The new CX-5 runs on a Google-based infotainment system, with a large central touchscreen — up to 15.6 inches on higher trims — and a built-in voice assistant powered by Google and Mazda’s Gemini AI. Drivers can adjust climate controls, navigation and other functions by voice, reducing the need to tap through menus while driving.
Mazda has also expanded its suite of standard safety features. Every CX-5 will come with adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, rear cross-traffic alerts and a driver-attention monitor designed to detect fatigue or distraction.
The company is offering the CX-5 in five trim levels, ranging from the base 2.5 S to the fully equipped Premium Plus, which tops out at $38,990 before destination charges. Higher trims add features like leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, a Bose sound system, ventilated and heated seats, a 360-degree camera system and hands-free highway-driving aids.
In a market where compact SUVs are among the most hotly contested segments, Mazda is betting that a mix of familiar driving feel, improved practicality and a more advanced digital experience will keep the CX-5 at the center of its lineup — and in American garages — for years to come.