New & Used 2026 Mazda CX-5 for Sale nearPalm Desert, CA

Compare 2026 Mazda CX-5 Trims

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to well-equipped models, all featuring AWD for enhanced capability.

• Starting at $30,151
• 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: $30,151 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 30 hwy
• Inventory: 152 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 more luxury features without stepping up to the higher trims.

• Avg. market price: $31,480 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 30 hwy
• Inventory: 2,200 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 package with premium features and a popular choice.

• Avg. market price: $34,424 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 30 hwy
• Inventory: 2,934 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 luxury experience with advanced features and comfort.

• Avg. market price: $36,691 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 30 hwy
• Inventory: 586 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 technology for their adventures.

• Avg. market price: $37,625 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 30 hwy
• Inventory: 1,055 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View 2.5 S Premium Plus AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — 2.5 S Preferred AWD

With 2,934 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 $30,151 avg market price — below the lineup median of $34,424 — 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 economy in the lineup with 24/30 MPG.

Browse 2.5 S AWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 8, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

Is the 2026 Mazda CX-5 a good car?

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 earns an expert rating of 7.17/10. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

It’s a strong fit if you want a compact SUV that looks and feels more upscale than many rivals, with a redesigned exterior, a crisp cabin, standard all-wheel drive, and Google built-in across the lineup. It also gains more space and more technology than before, which helps it appeal to buyers who value style, interior quality, and value.

The trade-offs are just as clear: the carryover 187-horsepower engine and six-speed automatic feel dated, and the powertrain is a weak point in a class where competitors increasingly offer hybrids and more modern transmissions. The result is a vehicle that’s appealing for design-minded shoppers, but less convincing if you prioritize efficiency or stronger performance.

Good and great deals account for 46.1% of listings, which suggests there’s meaningful market availability for shoppers who want to compare prices carefully.

Is the 2026 Mazda CX-5 reliable?

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 is presented as a well-rounded, mainstream gasoline SUV with standard all-wheel drive and a carryover powertrain, which can be a plus for long-term familiarity and simpler ownership. Mazda also includes a standard three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Its powertrain is described as smooth in normal driving, but also dated, underpowered, and less efficient than many rivals. Mazda’s own materials also point to improved insulation and a more relaxed highway experience, which supports the idea that it should be a comfortable daily driver.

If you’re buying used, the main long-term ownership risk is that the fuel economy and aging transmission may make it less satisfying over time than newer, more efficient alternatives.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.2% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re shopping higher-mileage examples or trims with more equipment. Focus on overall condition, cabin wear, and whether the vehicle’s features work as expected, since the cabin uses some hard plastics in areas that can show scuffs over time.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base and Select trims ride on 17-inch wheels, while Preferred and above move to 19-inch wheels; upper trims also bring a more premium cabin feel, with leather seating on Premium and Premium Plus.
• Powertrain: Every trim uses the carryover SkyActiv-G 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic and standard AWD.
• 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.
• Infotainment: The base 2.5 S gets a 12.9-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; Select and above add wireless phone projection, and Premium Plus upgrades to a 15.6-inch screen.
• Fuel efficiency: The CX-5 is rated at 24 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 26 combined mpg.

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, but it still gives you standard AWD, Google built-in, and the full safety suite, so it’s a solid value if you want the lowest price and don’t need extras.
• Select: This is the first trim with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making it the easiest step up if you care about everyday tech convenience.
• Preferred: This is the best-value trim. It adds 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: This trim adds a Bose 12-speaker audio system and SiriusXM satellite radio, so it makes sense if you want a more premium cabin experience.
• Premium Plus: This is the top trim, 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, an adaptive front-lighting system, front cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, and Cruising & Traffic Support with Lane-Change Assist.

The safety package is standard across the lineup, so you don’t need to move up a trim just to get the core driver-assistance features.

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

This looks like a favorable time to shop, especially if you want a compact SUV with strong availability and a healthy share of discounted listings.

• Deal availability: 46.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,900 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 93.2% of listings are accident-free.

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 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. Seven airbags come standard across all trims.

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: 46.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals. Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.2% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies. It’s the redesigned CX-5 with a more upscale look, standard AWD, and Google built-in across the lineup.
• Consider the 2025 if: It’s the more engaging, sporty, and practical-feeling CX-5.
• The bottom line: Buy the 2026 if you want the newest design, stronger tech, and standard AWD at a competitive price. If you’re more price-sensitive and want the older CX-5’s more familiar formula, the 2025 remains the better value play for some shoppers.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.