Is the 2026 Mazda CX-5 a good car?

7.17/10 is the expert rating for the 2026 Mazda CX-5. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

The 2026 CX-5 is a full redesign, and the data points to a compact SUV that leans hard into style, interior quality, and standard technology. It brings a longer, wider body, standard all-wheel drive, and Google built-in across the lineup, which makes it feel more advanced and more upscale than many rivals. It also stands out for its handling and driver engagement, so if you want a compact SUV that feels connected on the road, this one fits that brief well.

The trade-offs are just as clear: the carryover 187-horsepower engine and six-speed automatic are the weak links, and they hold back acceleration and efficiency. The expert verdict also flags the powertrain as sluggish and thirsty, which matters if you care more about performance or fuel savings than design and refinement.

For shoppers who prioritize style, interior quality, value, and a more engaging drive, the CX-5 makes a strong case. The market signal is solid too, with 35.4% of listings marked as good or great deals.

Is the 2026 Mazda CX-5 reliable?

The 2026 CX-5 is presented as a well-built, thoughtfully updated redesign with improved insulation, a more spacious cabin, and standard all-wheel drive across the lineup. The expert data also points to a straightforward naturally aspirated engine and a conventional automatic transmission, which can be a plus for long-term simplicity compared with more complex setups.

Mazda also includes a year of free data trial for Google built-in, and the standard equipment list is generous enough that you are not forced into higher trims just to get core safety and convenience features. That said, the same data also makes clear that the powertrain is not especially efficient and that the transmission is aging, which can affect day-to-day satisfaction over time.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that you may end up living with a powertrain that feels dated sooner than the rest of the vehicle does.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.6% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you are comparing multiple trims or looking at higher-mileage examples. Focus on overall condition, cabin wear, and how the vehicle drives in normal traffic, since the redesign’s appeal depends heavily on the quality of the interior and the smoothness of the daily driving experience.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base trim uses 17-inch wheels, while Select trims and above move to 19-inch wheels. Higher trims also add more upscale cabin materials, and the upper trims bring leather seating and a more premium feel.
• Powertrain: The only engine is a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder with 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic. It is smooth enough in normal driving, but it feels underpowered in a heavier body and can be slow to respond.
• 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. Higher trims add more advanced features, including a 360-degree camera system and a semi-autonomous highway driving system.
• Infotainment: Most trims get a 12.9-inch touchscreen, while the top Premium Plus uses a 15.6-inch unit. Google built-in is standard, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available, and wireless phone projection starts on the Select trim and above.
• Fuel efficiency: The CX-5 is rated at 24 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined. Those figures are the same across the lineup because every trim uses the same powertrain and AWD system.

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 the essentials, but it keeps the smaller 17-inch wheels and wired phone projection, so it feels more basic than the rest of the lineup.
• 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, which makes it the better pick if you want a more upscale cabin without jumping all the way to the top.
• Premium/top trim: The Premium Plus is the tech-heavy choice, with a 15.6-inch screen, a 360-degree View Monitor, a driver monitoring system, rear USB-C ports, and a more advanced highway-assist setup.

The standard safety suite is strong across the lineup, so you can shop trims based on comfort and tech rather than worrying about missing core protection.

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 rather than rush.

• Deal availability: 35.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,458 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 93.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $36,242.52, 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 earns an expert safety score of 9/10.

It comes with one of the most comprehensive standard safety suites in its class, including 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.

Higher trims add even more, including 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 is no official crash-test lead to cite yet. The safety hardware is extensive, though, and the top trims clearly add meaningful driver-assistance depth.

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:

• 35.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.6% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• It gives you the first full redesign in nearly a decade, plus standard Google built-in and standard AWD.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It offers a turbocharged engine option and a more performance-focused personality.

The bottom line: If you want the newest CX-5 with the most modern cabin, standard AWD, and the strongest safety and tech story, the 2026 is the one to target. If you care more about power and quicker acceleration than redesign freshness, the 2025 is the better fit for your priorities.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from July 31, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.