New & Used 2026 Mazda CX-5 for Sale near Cullowhee, NC

Compare 2026 Mazda CX-5 Trims

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to more luxurious models, all featuring AWD and impressive fuel efficiency.

• Starting at $29,869
• Best MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 30 hwy
• Most Popular: 2.5 S Preferred AWD

Trim Overview

Prices updated weekly from CarGurus listings.

Quick Compare Table

Listing prices sourced from CarGurus — updated weekly. OEM specs from manufacturer data.

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Trim Deep Dives

2.5 S AWD — "Who It's For"

The 2.5 S AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a budget-friendly option without sacrificing essential features.

• Avg. market price: $29,869 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 30 hwy
• Inventory: 135 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View 2.5 S AWD listings

2.5 S Select AWD — "Who It's For"

The 2.5 S Select AWD is the pick for shoppers who want added luxury features without a significant price jump.

• Avg. market price: $32,584 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 30 hwy
• Inventory: 1,491 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View 2.5 S Select AWD listings

2.5 S Preferred AWD — "Who It's For"

The 2.5 S Preferred AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-rounded SUV with premium features and ample space.

• Avg. market price: $35,261 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 30 hwy
• Inventory: 2,198 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View 2.5 S Preferred AWD listings

2.5 S Premium AWD — "Who It's For"

The 2.5 S Premium AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a luxurious experience with advanced features for comfort and convenience.

• Avg. market price: $36,670 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 30 hwy
• Inventory: 468 listings
• View 2.5 S Premium AWD listings

2.5 S Premium Plus AWD — "Who It's For"

The 2.5 S Premium Plus AWD is the pick for shoppers who want the ultimate in luxury and performance for adventurous outings.

• Avg. market price: $38,315 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 30 hwy
• Inventory: 612 listings
• View 2.5 S Premium Plus AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — 2.5 S Preferred AWD

With 2,198 active listings, the 2.5 S Preferred AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse 2.5 S Preferred AWD listings

Best Budget Option — 2.5 S AWD

At $29,869 avg market price — below the lineup median of $35,261 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse 2.5 S AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — 2.5 S AWD

The 2.5 S AWD offers the best fuel efficiency in the lineup with 24/30 MPG.

Browse 2.5 S AWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 2, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

Is the 2026 Mazda CX-5 a good car?

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 earns a 7.17/10 expert rating, and it makes a strong case if you want a compact SUV that looks and feels more upscale than most rivals. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10. Mazda’s redesign gives you a striking exterior, a crisp interior, standard all-wheel drive across the lineup, and Google built-in as standard, which helps the CX-5 feel well equipped and modern. The trade-offs are clear: the carryover 187-horsepower engine and six-speed automatic feel dated, the engine is described as underpowered, and fuel economy trails the class. If you care most about style, interior quality, and value, it fits that brief well; if you want stronger performance or efficiency, the mechanical compromises are hard to ignore. Good and great deals account for 35.3% of listings.

Is the 2026 Mazda CX-5 reliable?

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 is presented as a well-rounded, thoughtfully updated SUV with standard all-wheel drive, improved insulation, and a comprehensive safety suite, which all support a reassuring ownership experience. Its carryover 2.5-liter engine and six-speed automatic are described as smooth enough in normal driving, and the chassis tuning still delivers the kind of composed handling Mazda is known for. The performance content also notes that the powertrain is unchanged from the previous setup, which suggests familiar mechanical behavior rather than a risky new design. Mazda’s warranty coverage is average for the segment, and there’s no maintenance perk language called out here. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that the underpowered, thirsty powertrain may leave you less satisfied over time than the rest of the package does.

What should I look for when buying a used 2026 Mazda CX-5?

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.8% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a vehicle history report and verify that the specific listing matches the trim and equipment you want. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection if you’re considering a higher-mileage example, and pay close attention to cabin wear, wheel condition, and how the infotainment and driver-assistance features operate in real use. Because the CX-5’s value depends heavily on trim content, make sure the equipment level justifies the asking price.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base trims use 17-inch wheels, while Select and above move to 19-inch wheels; higher trims add more premium touches, and the Premium Plus tested here wore black-painted rims. The base setup is the most stripped-down visually, so check whether you want the added convenience and upscale feel of the higher trims.
• Powertrain: The only powertrain is a 187-horsepower 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder paired with a six-speed automatic and standard AWD. It is efficient enough for the class only in a relative sense, and the performance content says it feels underpowered in this larger, heavier redesign.
• Safety package: Every trim includes adaptive cruise control with speed limit assist, automatic emergency braking with Turn-Across Traffic detection and Head-On Collision Mitigation, rear automatic emergency braking with rear cross-traffic alert and pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitors, vehicle exit warning, driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, front and rear parking sensors, and dynamic guidelines for the rear-view camera. The Premium Plus adds an adaptive front-lighting system, front cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, Cruising & Traffic Support with Lane-Change Assist, a driver monitoring system, and a 360-degree View Monitor.
• Infotainment: All trims get Google built-in and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. Most trims use a 12.9-inch touchscreen, while the Premium Plus gets a 15.6-inch unit. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are wired on the base 2.5 S and wireless on Select and above.
• Fuel efficiency: The EPA rates the CX-5 at 24 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 26 combined mpg. That figure is the same across the lineup, and there is no hybrid option for this model year.

Which 2026 Mazda CX-5 trim should I buy?

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 is offered in 5 trim levels: 2.5 S, Select, Preferred, Premium, and Premium Plus.

Here's the short version:

• 2.5 S: This is the entry point, and it gives you the core CX-5 formula with standard AWD, Google built-in, and the full safety suite. It makes sense if you want the lowest price and are comfortable with the most basic wheel and tech setup.
• Select: This is the first trim that adds wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making it the most obvious step up for everyday convenience. If you want the best value without stretching too far, this is the trim to focus on.
• Preferred: This is the best-value trim overall. It adds the equipment that makes the CX-5 feel genuinely upscale, including a power liftgate, head-up display, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a 10-way power driver’s seat with memory.
• Premium: This trim adds a Bose 12-speaker audio system and SiriusXM satellite radio, so it suits you if cabin sound and entertainment matter more than the lowest possible price.
• Premium Plus: This is the most fully loaded version, with the larger 15.6-inch screen, a 360-degree View Monitor with underfloor and parking views, a driver monitoring system, rear USB-C ports, and additional lighting and highway-assist features. It’s the pick if you want the most technology and convenience.

The safety package is strong across the lineup, and the Premium Plus adds the most advanced driver-assistance hardware.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2026 Mazda CX-5?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to shop carefully without expecting deep bargains everywhere.

• Deal availability: 35.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,655 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 93.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $36,055.16, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2026 Mazda CX-5 safe?

The 2026 CX-5 comes with one of the most comprehensive standard safety suites in its class, and the expert safety score is 9/10.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts. Every trim includes adaptive cruise control with speed limit assist, automatic emergency braking with Turn-Across Traffic detection and Head-On Collision Mitigation, rear automatic emergency braking with rear cross-traffic alert and pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitors, vehicle exit warning, driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, front and rear parking sensors, and dynamic guidelines for the rear-view camera. The Premium Plus adds an adaptive front-lighting system, front cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, Cruising & Traffic Support with Lane-Change Assist, a driver monitoring system, and a 360-degree View Monitor. Seven airbags come standard across all trims.

Crash test results from NHTSA and IIHS had not been published at the time of writing, so there isn’t an official rating to cite here. Even so, the standard equipment list is unusually deep, and several features that are often optional on rivals come standard here.

Should I buy a 2026 Mazda CX-5 or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2026 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2026 if:

• 35.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.8% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Mazda’s redesign makes the CX-5 longer, wider, more spacious, and more technologically advanced.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It’s the sportier, more enjoyable choice for drivers who value road feel.

The bottom line: If you want the newest CX-5 with the most modern design, standard AWD, and the strongest tech and safety package, the 2026 is the better pick. If you’re more price-sensitive and care most about driving enjoyment, the 2025 remains worth a look, especially if you can find a cleaner or cheaper example.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.