Mazda CX-5 review 2026: Prices, specs and verdict

What is the Mazda CX-5?

The CX-5 is the longest-serving SUV in Mazda’s lineup, and it remains comfortably the brand’s biggest seller in the UK and in almost every global nation.

While the first CX-5 arrived in 2012 and only had a five-year lifespan, the second-generation model nearly made it a full decade on sale with only minor changes. So, given it’s such a crucial car for Mazda, it is a case of revolution over evolution for this new model?

Well, the new CX-5’s exterior design is a clear evolution, although the interior has changed quite a bit from the old car, moving towards the more touchscreen-centric cabins of many rivals.

But Mazda is keen that this CX-5 doesn’t rock the boat too much, continuing to appeal to its loyal base of private customers. That even means no hybrid or electric option for now – just a curiously old-school petrol engine.

Does the new Mazda CX-5 still appeal to family buyers that are also keen drivers? Or has playing it safe meant the competition are ahead? Our in-depth review delves deeper.

Verdict: is the Mazda CX-5 a good car?

Overall we reckon the new Mazda CX-5 is a practical, good value family SUV that still offers a bit of sportiness in the driving experience despite improved comfort.

But there are a few areas where this latest model falls behind the best, and even feels like a downgrade over the old car. These include the cabin that has lost some perceived quality and user friendliness, while the non-turbo petrol engine is noisy and relatively inefficient.

With a proper hybrid option and some tweaks to the interior, the new CX-5 could be among the best in the class. As it is, there are better all-round options.  

Pricing, specs & rivals

Prices for the new Mazda CX-5 start at £31,550 for entry-level Prime-Line trim, which is a fractionally lower starting point than the outgoing model at the end of its life. All versions come with an automatic gearbox as standard, too.

It’s keenly priced next to equivalent rivals, undercutting the cheapest auto versions of the Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson and Nissan Qashqai, although a Citroen C5 Aircross can be had for less.

Prime-Line will meet the needs of most buyers, with equipment such as LED headlights with auto high beam, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, dual-zone climate control and a 12.9in touchscreen. Only two things let it down: the 17in alloy wheels look tiny, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are wired only in this spec.

Priced from £34,050, the CX-5 Centre-Line addresses these issues with wireless Apple and Android connections along with smarter 19in alloys. You also get power folding mirrors with memory, an electric boot lid, rear privacy glass, heated seats, a heated steering wheel and heated wipers, electric driver’s seat adjustment, a head-up display and wireless phone charging. This would be our pick.

The CX-5 Exclusive-Line starts at £36,550. Its main kit upgrades include a 360-degree parking camera, an opening panoramic sunroof, electric adjustment for the passengers’ seat and heated rear seats. There’s also a Bose sound system.

Exclusive Line also gives you the option of all-wheel drive for an additional £2,000, which we think is only worthwhile if you’re towing or regularly driving in adverse conditions.

Top-spec Homura line is £38,950 for the front-wheel drive model and £40,950 for the all-wheel drive car – the latter being the only version that’s liable for the ‘Expensive Car Supplement’ VED car tax addition.

Homura trim gets all the goodies including faux leather upholstery, upgraded adaptive beam LED headlights, handsfree boot opening, faux leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, ambient lighting and a larger touchscreen.

Rivals

The Mazda CX-5 enters what is one of the most highly competed market segments, with loads of rivals to choose from. Key options to consider include the Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, Citroen C5 Aircross, Vauxhall Grandland and Peugeot 3008.

There’s also the pricier VW Tiguan and Cupra Terramar, along with the Toyota RAV4, Renault Austral and Ford Kuga. Don’t forget new Chinese brand market entrants, too, including cars such as the Leapmotor C10, BYD Sealion 5 and Omoda 7.

Interior comfort, quality & technology

While on the outside the new Mazda CX-5 is clearly recognisable, owners of the old model will have a bit of a shock when they step inside.

Gone are many of the physical controls that made the old car’s cabin so easy to operate on the move. Everything from the climate control stack to the rotary control knob for the screen is no more. And we think that’s a real shame – the old car stood out when many of its rivals became ever more touchscreen reliant.

We don’t think cabin quality is quite as good in this new car, either. Visually it looks quite plush, with some metallic elements and two-tone trim options. But the faux leather dash and door panels aren’t very soft touch at all, and there seems to be more harder, cheaper plastics than before.

That’s a pity, because I didn’t notice any squeaks and rattles despite some rough surfaces on the drive. The fundamentals are still good, too, including an excellent, widely adjustable driving position that sits you high up enough for a good view out without you feeling perched on the car rather than in it.

The side and rear windows are large, too, giving you strong all-round visibility and a relatively airy feel despite lots of dark plastics on lower-spec models.

Infotainment, sat-nav, stereo and connectivity

Most versions of the Mazda CX-5 come with a 12.9in touchscreen that’s quite different to the old model. Top-spec Homura trim upgrades that to a Tesla-sized 15.6in screen.

For the most part it’s a good infotainment system, with good response times and sharp graphics. This is the first Mazda system to feature Google Built-In, too, which mean features such as Google Maps and Google Assistant are installed as standard. This is great, because these are almost always the best systems of their type on the market.

What’s not so great is some of the fiddly icons at the bottom of the screen. Changing the climate control temperature or fan speed isn’t as easy as we’d like. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard if you’d prefer to bypass the main system, but in Prime-Line trim you must use them with a wired connection. That’s not very high-tech.

The digital dial display gives you a good selection of information with clear graphics, while the head-up display of Centre-Line trim is a welcome addition.

You’ll find a pair of USB-Cs under the front armrest in every model, but it’s disappointing that USB-C connectors for the rear seats are only standard on Exclusive-Line. That trim also upgrades the standard sound system to a punchy 12-speaker Bose surround sound system.

How practical is the Mazda CX-5?

The latest Mazda CX-5’s dimensions of 4,690mm in length, 1,860mm in width (excluding mirrors) and 1,690mm in height makes it fractionally wider and taller than the old car, but a significant 115mm longer.

It’s also longer than most rivals including the Vauxhall Grandland, VW Tiguan, Nissan Qashqai and Hyundai Tucson, with only the Honda CR-V being bigger still.

Those dimensions translate to a generous amount of space inside for four large adults, or two adults and three children. There’s plenty of head and legroom up front, and easily enough cabin width to share the centre armrest without banging shoulders.

Rear space, too, is plentiful for this class of car. Even this 6ft 3in tester found inches of headroom to spare, ample legroom and loads of space to stretch your feet under the seat in front.

The only downsides are that the floor in the rear has a hump in the middle. That, combined with modest shoulder room for three adults, are the only space criticisms we can level at the CX-5. Some may also prefer rivals that offer sliding and reclining rear seats, which the Mazda doesn’t.  

Storage and boot space

There’s a good but not outstanding level of oddments storage in the Mazda CX-5.

In the front, you’ll find wide but slightly shallow door bins, a good-sized glovebox, a pair of cupholders, a couple of trays (one of which can be a wireless phone charging pads) and a decent cubby under the centre armrest. You’ll also find a sunglasses holder in the roof and a tiny flip-down cubby for coins under the steering wheel.

In the rear, the door bins are smaller but still usable, while you’ll find pockets in the front seatbacks and a pair of cupholders in the centre armrest.

The CX-5 gets flexible 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats as standard, and they’re easily folded from levers in the boot sides. As for the boot itself, its 583-litre capacity is 61 litres up on the (hardly cramped_ old model, while also trumping the Nissan Qashqai and nearly matching the Kia Sportage.

The boot opening is wide and low making loading easier, and the load bay itself is square, with pockets either side of the boot floor to stop smaller items rolling about. Our only complaint is that Exclusive-Line and Homura trims lose the underfloor storage area due to the Bose sound system’s subwoofer.

Performance & drive: What is the Mazda CX-5 like on the road?

The biggest example of Mazda doing things a bit differently to the family SUV norm is found under the CX-5’s bonnet.

In most rivals you’ll find petrol, hybrid, plug-in hybrid or (very occasionally) the odd diesel engine. The old CX-5 came as a popular diesel car too. But this new CX-5 is, for now, only offered in mild-hybrid petrol form.

What makes this engine unique in its class is that it’s naturally aspirated (without a turbo) and large in capacity at 2.5 litres. The four-cylinder ‘Skyactiv-G’ engine is the same unit you’ll find in the Mazda 3 and CX-30, with a simple 24-volt mild hybrid system and cylinder deactivation, making a modest 141hp and available with both front and four-wheel drive.

While a 0-62mph time of 10.5 seconds doesn’t sound too bad, the engine needs to be much higher up the rev range than turbocharged rivals to perform. Although it doesn’t feel truly gutless, the same engine gets the smaller, lighter Mazda 3 up to speed much more effortlessly.

Rev the CX-5 out and you get a gruff, vocal engine note – much louder than the engine in a Tiguan or Qashqai, for example. Enthusiasts may appreciate the CX-5’s endearing, rev-hungry character, but we think most family SUV buyers would prefer smoother and quieter progress. It’ll be worse when fully loaded, too.

At least the six-speed auto is smooth and reasonably quick changing, responding keenly enough to manual changes. It’s very keen to drop down a couple of gears if you accelerate, though, due to the lack of low-rev performance.

Power, 0-62mph times

Mazda CX-5 2WD: 141hp/ 10.5 secs

Mazda CX-5 AWD: 141hp: 10.9 secs

Ride and handling

One of the strongest points of the CX-5’s driving experience is its ride and handling balance.

This was always a highlight of previous CX-5s, although ride quality tended to take a back seat to handling. This time around, Mazda has softened the suspension a bit to help it better absorb lumps and bumps.

There’s still a slightly firm edge to the ride over rough tarmac or sharp low-speed potholes, but it’s never uncomfortable and rounds them off nicely. It also feels tied down on challenging country roads, with less bobbing up-and-down motion than many similar SUVs.

Body control is mostly good unless you really push it, while the steering is light yet confidence-inspiring and grip levels are good. Mazda claims the all-wheel drive version enhances agility further by shuffling power between the axles as you enter and exit a bend, but the front-wheel drive model isn’t overly lacking in grip.

It is worth noting that all-wheel drive models also add a dedicated off-road drive mode and hill descent control, which may be of interest to some.

Noise and refinement

The Mazda CX-5 is very good at isolating occupants from road and wind noise at speed. The engine, too, stays smooth and quiet at a steady cruise. But any need for acceleration (from getting up hills to joining a motorway slip road) sees revs soar and the engine note becoming a dominant noise in the cabin.

Euro NCAP: is the Mazda CX-5 a safe car?

The new CX-5 hits the safety standard expected of a competitive family SUV, having been awarded five stars in crash testing by Euro NCAP.

Strong scores across the board include 90% adult protection and 89% child protection score. A 93% rating is impressive, too – and all these scores are significantly better than cars like the VW Tiguan and Renault Austral.

There’s an extensive list of standard driver assist tech, including the mandated automatic emergency braking, lane keep assistance, driver monitoring and speed limit alert. Across the board you’ll also find blind-spot monitoring, front and rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit alert, adaptive cruise control and a system that can bring the car to a controlled stop off the road if the driver becomes unresponsive.

Importantly, these systems are largely unobtrusive. Even the driver monitoring rarely chimes in unless you’re clearly distracted, while the speed warning is easily turned off via a single button press.

Running costs and fuel economy

With the sole engine a relatively big petrol unit with minimal hybrid assistance, the CX-5’s fuel economy figures are nothing to write home about.

Even with cylinder deactivation tech (which switches off half of the engine if you’re just cruising along) the best figure the CX-5 manages is 40.4mpg in the combined WLTP test. That drops to 37.5mpg if you opt for all-wheel drive.

Those figures fall short of most of the CX-5’s rivals that use turbocharging and cleverer hybrid systems to achieve closer to 50mpg in official tests.

Having said that, on my Scottish road route I achieved around 45mpg in gentle A and B-road driving. It’s when things get a bit more demanding that this figure drops away.

CO2 emissions of between 159-169g/km are higher than many alternatives, too, meaning a higher first-year tax rate built into the on-the-road price. Until the hybrid arrives, the CX-5 doesn’t hold much appeal to company car users due to this, either.

How much does the Mazda CX-5 cost to insure?

Mazda has yet to release insurance groups for the new CX-5 even as the car goes on sale. However we aren’t expecting big increases over the outgoing model given the new car’s modest performance, five-star safety rating and established brand.