Is the 2026 Mazda CX-5 a good car?

The 7.17/10 expert rating points to a compact SUV that makes a strong case on style, standard equipment, and value. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

Mazda’s redesign gives you a more striking exterior, a cleaner and more modern cabin, standard all-wheel drive across the lineup, and Google built-in as standard. That makes the CX-5 especially appealing if you care about design, interior quality, and getting a lot of equipment for the money.

The trade-offs are real, though: the carryover 187-horsepower engine feels underpowered, and the six-speed automatic is dated compared with what rivals offer. If you want a compact SUV that feels well equipped and distinctive, this one fits the brief; if you prioritize quick acceleration or efficiency, you may want to look elsewhere. Good and great deals account for 34.8% of listings.

Is the 2026 Mazda CX-5 reliable?

Mazda positions the 2026 CX-5 as a well-rounded, well-built compact SUV, and the redesign adds more space, more technology, and a broad standard safety suite. The powertrain is simple rather than complex, which can be a plus for long-term dependability, and the ride and cabin insulation are described as improved for everyday use.

The performance notes also suggest a straightforward mechanical setup: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine paired with a six-speed automatic and standard AWD. That kind of layout can be easier to live with than a more complicated turbo or hybrid system, even if it isn’t especially quick.

If you’re buying used, the main long-term ownership risk is that you’ll be living with a slow, thirsty powertrain for years if efficiency matters to you.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.1% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report and verify that the specific vehicle you’re considering has a clean record and consistent maintenance. A pre-purchase inspection is worth prioritizing, especially if you want to confirm that the cabin, electronics, and driver-assistance features are working as intended. Focus on overall condition, since the interior materials and exterior finishes are the kinds of surfaces that can show wear over time.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Base trims use 17-inch wheels, while Select and above move to 19-inch wheels; upper trims also add a more premium cabin feel, and the base setup lacks some of the nicer convenience and safety equipment found higher up.
• Powertrain: You get a 187-horsepower 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder with a six-speed automatic, and the setup is described as underpowered and dated.
• Safety package: Standard equipment 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.
• Infotainment: Base trims get a 12.9-inch touchscreen, while the top trim gets a 15.6-inch unit; Google built-in is standard, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are wired on the base trim and wireless on Select and above.
• Fuel efficiency: The CX-5 is rated at 24 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined, and those figures are the same across the lineup.

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, Premium Plus.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The 2.5 S gives you standard AWD and the core safety suite, but it keeps the smaller 17-inch wheels and wired smartphone integration.
• Sweet-spot trim: The Preferred is the best value because it adds AWD, 19-inch wheels, a power liftgate, a head-up display, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a 10-way power driver’s seat with memory.
• Premium/top trim: The Premium adds a Bose 12-speaker audio system and SiriusXM satellite radio, while the Premium Plus brings the larger 15.6-inch screen, a 360-degree View Monitor, a Driver Monitoring system, and rear USB-C ports.

The safety package is especially strong across the lineup, so you can shop by comfort and tech without giving up much in standard protection.

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

This is a moderate, selective-buyer market, so you have room to shop carefully without expecting a deep bargain on every listing.

• Deal availability: 34.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 3,044 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 93.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $36,320.14, 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.

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 mandatory rear-view camera. The top-tier 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.

Crash test results from NHTSA and IIHS had not been published at the time of writing, so there’s no official rating to cite yet. That means you should treat the CX-5’s safety promise as strong on equipment, with final crash-test confirmation still pending.

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:

• 34.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.1% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Mazda’s redesign brings standard AWD, Google built-in, and a more spacious, more modern cabin.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It offers a sporty, upscale driving feel with strong style and premium interior materials.

The bottom line: Choose the 2026 if you want the newest CX-5 design, standard AWD, and the strongest mix of equipment and value. If you’re more focused on driving enjoyment and can live with less space and older tech, the 2025 remains the better fit for some shoppers. Price-sensitive buyers should compare both years closely, since the older model may still appeal if you value character over the redesign’s added size and features.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.