Mazda CX-5 vs Chevrolet Bolt

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 was a visual standout in its segment, thanks to its evolved Kodo design language, which Mazda referred to as "Wearable Gear." This design gave the CX-5 a sculpted and purposeful appearance, with a Signature Wing grille that seamlessly flowed into new LED headlights. The rear featured angular lighting that tied the CX-5 to Mazda's larger models, and a new "MAZDA" script badge replaced the traditional logo. Despite its attractive design, the wheel options were underwhelming, with the base 17-inch wheels appearing small on the larger body and the 19-inch units lacking intricate detailing. Inside, the CX-5 impressed with its clean dashboard design, prominent central touchscreen, and driver-focused cockpit. The interior materials were a step above the competition, with soft-touch surfaces and a two-tone interior option on upper trims. However, the presence of hard plastic in certain areas slightly undercut the upscale feel.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt retained a familiar look, with slight styling changes that made it resemble a conventional gas-powered car. The front end featured a thin slot behind the Chevy Bowtie logo, and the previous grille insert was integrated into the bumper. The Bolt's tall and narrow stance prioritized utility and interior space over a sporty appearance. Inside, the Bolt underwent a more dramatic makeover, with a larger digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The push-button gear selector was moved to the steering column, freeing up storage space in the center console. The cabin was dominated by hard plastic surfaces, reinforcing the Bolt's budget feel, though the elbow touch points had thin padding. The RS trim offered Evotex synthetic leather with red stitching, while the rear seating area featured hard plastics and lacked padding for the door armrests.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5's performance was a mixed bag. It was powered by a carryover SkyActiv-G 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While these numbers were adequate on paper, the engine felt underpowered in practice, especially given the vehicle's weight of 3,856 pounds. The added heft was due to the larger body and standard i-Activ AWD system, but Mazda didn't increase the power to compensate. The 0-60 mph time of 9.6 seconds was the slowest in its segment, and the six-speed automatic transmission struggled with responsiveness and efficiency. The absence of the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine from the previous generation was notable, though Mazda confirmed a hybrid variant for 2027. Despite the power shortcomings, the CX-5 excelled in handling, with direct steering, well-managed body roll, and a sense of agility. The ride quality was firm yet comfortable, and Mazda improved insulation for reduced road and wind noise. However, the EPA-rated fuel economy of 24 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 26 combined mpg was among the lowest in its class.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt featured a new 65-kilowatt-hour lithium-iron phosphate battery pack, reducing costs and requiring fewer rare earth minerals. A new motor from Chevy's Equinox EV delivered 210 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels, with a 0-60 mph time similar to the previous Bolt EV, typically in the low seven-second range. While this acceleration might seem slow by EV standards, it was quick compared to gas-powered subcompact SUVs. The Bolt offered one-pedal driving with medium or high levels of brake regeneration, though it could be jumpy at low speeds. The ride was firm but not overly stiff, and the absence of an internal combustion engine made road noise more noticeable. The Bolt's low center of gravity contributed to its agility on curvy roads. On a full charge, the EPA estimated a range of up to 262 miles, an improvement over its predecessor. The Bolt also featured a Tesla-derived NACS charge port, with adapters for CCS and J1772 connectors, and increased charging speed from 55 kW to 150 kW.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5's dimensional growth translated into a more livable interior. The 4.5-inch wheelbase stretch improved rear knee clearance by 2.3 inches to 33.7 inches, addressing a common criticism of the previous model. A 6'1" test driver found ample space in any seat, and rear headroom was a standout feature at 40.2 inches without the sunroof, the best in its class. Front legroom matched the segment at 41.3 inches, while rear legroom was competitive at 39.1 inches. Cargo space improved to 38 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 70 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Larger door openings facilitated entry and exit, and the available hands-free power liftgate added convenience. However, towing capacity decreased to 1,500 pounds, tying with the Honda CR-V and base Subaru Forester but trailing the Tucson and Sportage.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt offered an upright driving position with ample space for larger occupants. Taller drivers might have wished for more telescoping extension from the steering wheel, but the rear seats provided plenty of headroom and adequate thigh support. The flat floor reduced the penalty for center-seat passengers. The Bolt's cargo capacity was 16.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats, with a large bin underneath the floor for additional storage. The rear seatbacks folded flat with the cargo floor in its upper position, and release latches were easily accessible from the cargo area. While there was no frunk, the Bolt provided ample storage for personal items up front, including a large bin with movable dividers, a big floor tray, and a deep center armrest bin.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 featured a significant infotainment upgrade with a 12.9-inch touchscreen on all trims except the Premium Plus, which received a 15.6-inch unit. The screen was responsive and visually clear, with Google built-in as a standout feature. This included native Google Maps, the Google Gemini AI voice assistant, and access to the Google Play Store. A year's free data trial was included, after which a subscription was required. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, with wireless connectivity on the Select trim and above. All trims had a 10.2-inch fully digital instrument cluster, though its execution left something to be desired. The absence of a physical volume knob was a drawback, with volume control moved to the touchscreen or steering wheel buttons. The climate control interface was also suboptimal, requiring more attention than ideal while driving. Higher trims added features like a Bose 12-speaker audio system, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 360-degree View Monitor.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt came with an 11-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.3-inch center touchscreen, running on a Google-based operating system. Apple CarPlay and standalone Android Auto were not supported, requiring Bluetooth pairing for personal music libraries. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, a digital rear-view mirror, and a wireless charging pad. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with logical menus, sharp graphics, and quick responses. Physical climate controls reduced distraction, and the navigation system helped find charging stations en route. The Bolt also offered vehicle-to-load charging, allowing it to serve as a backup power source for a home.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 boasted a comprehensive standard safety suite, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitors, and more. The Premium Plus trim added features like an adaptive front-lighting system, front cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree View Monitor. While crash test results were not available at the time of writing, the outgoing CX-5 had earned high ratings, and expectations were high for the new model.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt's crash test results were also unavailable, but it was expected to achieve high scores based on its platform. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitors. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, a digital rear-view mirror, and more. GM's Super Cruise hands-free automated highway driving system was available for an additional cost.