Did Mazda go too far with one major update to 2026 Mazda CX-5?
If there's been a running theme amongst my many reviews of Mazda vehicles through the years it's been my dislike of their outdated infotainment and that confounding knob-based system. I yearned for Mazda to fix it and get with the times. Sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for. Enter my tester this week, the 2026 Mazda CX-5.
This being one of the longest-running nameplates in Mazda's revamped lineup, this SUV gets the upgrade of the infotainment I've been asking for. There are many pros to the new system. It's a big leap forward in screen size, processing speed and overall polish. The interface is cleaner, faster and finally feels competitive with the class leaders. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard here, and the graphics are crisp enough that you won't miss your phone. However, Mazda might've gone too far with the redesign when it comes to minimalism. Physical buttons are scarce.
Climate controls still exist as real switches (thankfully), but most secondary functions live on the screen. It looks great, but if you're the kind of driver who prefers muscle memory over menu diving, there's a learning curve. And here I thought I wanted a new system. I'm here to say, Mazda had a chance to right things and missed the mark.
Consumers want the tech and touchscreen, but we also want buttons. Just make things simple while we drive heavy machinery on the open road. Is that too much to ask?
The CX-5 didn't get any updates to the exterior, but that's not surprising as it remains the brand's most “mature” nameplate and honestly the styling still works. It's not flashy, it's confident and clearly subscribes to the theory, “less is more.”
Although that less is more theory didn't work out on that new infotainment system, did it?
Mazda continues to make vehicles that drive with personality and that's really their appeal. Case in point is the 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder which is paired to a smooth six-speed automatic
and standard all-wheel drive. Output lands around 187 horsepower, which won't light up the spec sheet, but the CX-5's throttle response and chassis tuning make it feel livelier than the numbers suggest.
This is still one of the betterdriving compact SUVs on the road. Steering feel is precise, body control is excellent, and it never feels like it's just going through the motions.
There is another way that Mazda seems to capture the consumer's attention and that's with a high-quality interior. My tester proved this to be true. The cabin was quiet, solid, and upscale, with excellent materials throughout. The Premium Plus adds leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, a Bose sound system, and thoughtful details that make it feel genuinely premium.
The new infotainment screen dominates the dash, and while it looks fantastic, the lack of physical buttons means you'll be interacting with it more often than you might want while driving. It's a tradeoff between form and function and Mazda clearly chose form.
Fuel economy remains competitive, with EPA estimates hovering around 24 mpg city/30 mpg highway. It's not class-leading, but it's respectable, especially given the standard AWD and the CX-5's driving dynamics.
The 2026 CX-5 S Premium Plus slots in around $36,000. That's not cheap, but when you factor in the interior quality, standard AWD, and overall refinement, it still feels like strong value, particularly for buyers who prioritize driving feel over raw cargo numbers.
While my issues with Mazda remain relevant and mostly unaddressed with the CX-5, I will hand it to Mazda for offering up steady performance in each vehicle and also focusing on interior quality and comfort. There has to be some give and take with small SUVs in this price range and the CX-5 is no exception. But maybe, just maybe, do you think you could tweak that infotainment system one more time and add some knobs and give us a simple, intuitive system?