The Mazda CX-5 has always been one of those SUVs people recommend when they want something a bit more interesting than the usual German options. Mazda built its reputation on making cars that were sharper to drive, better looking and more premium inside without charging Audi or BMW money.
So naturally, expectations for the 2026 Mazda CX-5 are pretty high. But can it beat German rivals?
I tested the front-wheel drive 2.5L e-Skyactive G Homura trim finished in Soul Red Crystal, and while there’s definitely a lot to like here, I actually came away slightly conflicted. Because although this is still a very good SUV, I’m not convinced it’s quite as driver-focused as Mazdas used to be.
2026 Mazda CX-5 first impressions
Design still looks fantastic
Starting with the positives, the new Mazda CX-5 still looks excellent.
Mazda hasn’t completely reinvented the design, but honestly, it didn’t need to. It’s clean, classy and probably one of the best-looking SUVs in this segment. Everything just looks slimmer, sleeker and more elegant this time round, especially in Soul Red Crystal with the black accents on the Homura trim. I still think it’s one of the best paint colours on sale, especially in sunlight. And in a world of fake vents, sharp creases and oversized grilles, the ‘less is more’ approach pays off. Even the Honda CR V looks overdone in comparison.
Mazda CX-5 Homura key features
- 19″ black alloy wheels
- Hands-free powered tailgate
- Seat ventilation
- Paddle shifters
- Gloss black exterior trims
Premium Interior and tech
Inside is probably where the CX-5 impresses the most. The cabin feels properly well built, with soft-touch materials almost everywhere. Mazda also deserves credit for not turning everything into touchscreen menus. You still get controls that still feel physical and satisfying to use, which immediately makes the car easier to live with day to day.
Honestly, if you told someone this interior belonged to a more expensive German SUV, they’d probably believe you. The seats are comfortable, visibility is decent, and the latest infotainment system with Google built-in features wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, SatNav, and 360 cameras on a 15.6-inch touchscreen in the Homura trim.
Storage and boot space
As an SUV, the Mazda CX-5 is spacious throughout, including the increased boot space. With all seats in place, there’s a decent 583 litres. This expands to 2,019 litres with the rear seats folded. It provides plenty of room for everday essentials, like shopping, prams, dog cages, or whatever you can think of.
| Minimum Luggage Capacity | 583 Litres |
| Rear seats folded | 2,019 Litres |
How does the Mazda CX-5 drive?
Not like older Mazdas
To this day, the Mazda MX-5 is an iconic budget-friendly sports car with near-perfect weight distribution and even better power-to-weight ratio. Despite a relatively small engine, it feels fast and the short wheelbase makes it extremely agile – just some of the reasons it consistently wins used car categories at the Scottish Car of the Year awards. I’m fond of the compact Mazda CX-30 too, and the CX-80 is one of the best seven-seater cars in the UK.
“it was the success of the award-winning CX-5 that established Mazda as a maker of genuinely sporty SUVs, which deliver class leading quality and high levels of standard equipment”
Jeremy Thomson, Managing director mazda uk
But the new CX-5 feels softer than I expected. There’s noticeably more body lean through bends than you’d probably anticipate from a Mazda, and overall it just doesn’t feel quite as tied down or confidence inspiring as older models did. It’s not bad to drive by any means — it’s comfortable and easy enough — but if you’re expecting something sporty, this isn’t it.
Mazda CX-5 Homura performance
| Engine | 2.5-litre petrol hybrid |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
| Horsepower | 141 PS |
| Torque | 238 Nm |
| Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive |
| Battery | 24V |
| Fuel Economy (CMB) | 40.4 MPG |
| 0-62 MPH | 10.5 Seconds |
| Top speed | 112 MPH |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 2,000 kg |
Finding a 2.5-litre petrol engine in a hybrid SUV is quite rare, since most come with smaller, turbocharged ones, like the Nissan Qashqai or CHERY Tiggo 8. Though small, they are adequate. Somehow, Mazda’s bigger engine with Skyactiv technology feels underpowered, which came as a real shock to me. The engine noise becomes quite intrusive when you demand power, and, at motorway speeds especially, the cabin gets noticeably louder than some rivals, both from the engine and from road noise coming through those massive alloy wheels. It would be interesting to see how it performs while towing the claimed 2,000 kg.
Gearbox needs help in Sport mode
The automatic gearbox is mostly smooth during normal driving, but Sport mode feels oddly calibrated. It tends to hold onto lower gears for far too long, making the engine louder than necessary and exaggerating the feeling that the car is working hard, even though it doesn’t add much other than noise. At one point it refused to leave 3rd gear, and I had to shift up using the paddles behind the steering wheel. That said, I couldn’t fault it when pottering around town. It’s a real shame when Mazda usually gets the driving side right.
Fuel economy
One area where the CX-5 did impress me was fuel economy. Mazda claims around 40.4 MPG officially, which I thought was a stretch due to the power and gearbox struggles above. I ended my test with an impressive 41 MPG. So, while performance isn’t particularly exciting, at least it’s reasonably efficient in the real world. Though, the Ford Kuga hybrid trumps it.
| Combined | |
| WLTP: | 40.4 MPG |
| Fuel Economy As Tested: | 41 MPG |
Should you buy a CX-5?
I wouldn’t dismiss the 2026 Mazda CX-5 entirely – it is still a very good family SUV.
It looks fantastic, the interior feels premium, it’s practical, efficient and easy to drive every day. It feels more special than many mainstream rivals, in more ways than one. Plus, all new Mazda vehicles get a comprehensive warranty. But I do think Mazda need to address the softer handling, noticeable body lean and noisy engine to ace that quiet luxury we’ve come to expect given the brand’s reputation.
Still, it’s miles better than some Chinese rivals, like the MG HS. Would I take one over German alternatives? In certain cases, yes — especially when you consider the value for money and interior quality. But it’s clear the CX-5 is now more of a comfortable premium family SUV than a driver-focused one.
How much does the 2026 Mazda CX-5 cost?
Prices for the new Mazda CX-5 start from £31,550 the Prime-line. Even upgrading to the top of the range Homura stays under the £40,000 threshold, saving you the from the luxury car tax. Although the Prime-line gets loads of standard equipment, the best value for money option is probably the Centre-line, bringing niceties like a powered tailgate, rear privacy glass, heated front seats and steering wheel, and wireless charging along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
| Trim | Price (OTR) |
|---|---|
| Prime-line | £31,550 |
| Centre-line | £34,050 |
| Exclusive-line | £36,550 |
| Homura | £38,950 |