Mazda CX-5 vs Mazda CX-50

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 continued to impress with its striking design, showcasing Mazda's evolved Kodo design language, "Wearable Gear." This gave the CX-5 a more sculpted and purposeful appearance, with a seamless Signature Wing grille and new LED headlights. The rear featured angular lighting, tying it visually to Mazda's larger models. A new "MAZDA" script badge replaced the traditional logo, enhancing its premium look. However, the wheel designs were underwhelming, with the base 17-inch wheels appearing small on the larger body, and even the 19-inch options lacked intricate detailing. Inside, the CX-5 maintained Mazda's reputation for high-quality interiors, featuring a clean dashboard design, a prominent central touchscreen, and a driver-focused cockpit. The materials were a step above the competition, with soft-touch surfaces and a two-tone interior option on upper trims. Despite some hard plastic areas, the overall ambiance was more upscale sedan than mainstream crossover. The dimensional improvements were significant, with a 4.5-inch wheelbase stretch, making the vehicle larger and more accommodating.

The 2026 Mazda CX-50 offered a range of models, including the 2.5 S, 2.5 Turbo, and Hybrid, with various trim levels. The CX-50 had a wide and squat stance, resembling a lifted wagon more than an SUV, with 8.6 inches of ground clearance. The body cladding, sporty styling cues, and flared fenders contributed to its appealing design. The new Cypress green paint added a touch of elegance. The interior featured white leather seats and 20-inch silver wheels, providing a sharp contrast against the black dashboard. The cabin exuded an upscale look with tasteful metallic accents and quality materials. However, the gloss-black plastic on the center console was prone to dust and scratches, and the center air vent was poorly integrated. The partially digital gauges were clear, and most controls were user-friendly, though the Mazda Connect infotainment system required a learning curve.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5's performance was a mixed bag. It was powered by a 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 vehicle's weight of 3,856 pounds made the engine feel underpowered. The lack of a turbocharged engine was a disappointment, as the previous generation's turbocharged 2.5-liter engine offered 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. The CX-5's 0-60 time of 9.6 seconds was the slowest in its segment, and the six-speed automatic transmission struggled with responsiveness. However, 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 improved insulation reduced road and wind noise. The EPA rated the CX-5 at 24 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 26 combined mpg, which was among the lowest in its segment.

The 2026 Mazda CX-50 offered a range of powertrains, including a base 2.5-liter engine with 187 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque, a turbocharged version with up to 256 hp and 320 lb-ft, and a hybrid option with 219 hp. The base engine used a six-speed automatic transmission with Normal, Sport, and Off-Road driving modes, achieving 26 mpg combined. The turbocharged engine provided satisfying power delivery but had lower fuel economy, averaging 22.1 mpg in mixed driving. The hybrid variant offered better fuel efficiency at 38 mpg combined but lacked mid-range passing power. The CX-50's steering was crisp and responsive, and the suspension provided excellent body control, though the ride was firm. The Meridian Edition was suited for off-roading but had less ground clearance than other models. Overall, the CX-50 was best suited for on-road driving and inclement weather.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5's dimensional growth translated into a more spacious interior. The 4.5-inch wheelbase stretch improved rear knee clearance by 2.3 inches, providing 33.7 inches of rear knee room. A 6'1" test driver found ample space in any seat. Rear headroom was a standout feature, with 40.2 inches without the sunroof, surpassing competitors. Front legroom matched the segment at 41.3 inches, and rear legroom was competitive at 39.1 inches. Cargo space improved to 38 cubic feet behind the second row and 70 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Larger door openings facilitated entry and exit, and the hands-free power liftgate added convenience. However, towing capacity decreased to 1,500 pounds, trailing competitors like the Tucson and Sportage.

The 2026 Mazda CX-50 offered ease of entry and exit, though it sat lower than many crossovers. Visibility was adequate, aided by large side mirrors. The front seats were firm, causing discomfort on long trips, but power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation were available. Dual-zone climate control was standard, but the air conditioning struggled in hot weather. Rear-seat legroom was acceptable, with generous foot room and good thigh support. Storage space was decent but could have been improved with additional trays and shelves. The cargo area offered 31.4 cubic feet of space, expandable to 56.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Most CX-50s had a power rear liftgate for added convenience.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 featured a significant infotainment upgrade with a 12.9-inch touchscreen on most trims and a 15.6-inch unit on the Premium Plus. The screen was responsive and visually clear, with Google built-in for navigation, voice assistance, and app downloads. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, with wireless connectivity on higher trims. A 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster was standard, though it lacked some expected information. The removal of the physical volume knob was a drawback, with volume control moved to the touchscreen or steering wheel buttons. The climate control interface was not intuitive, requiring attention while driving. Higher trims added a Bose 12-speaker audio system, SiriusXM satellite radio, and advanced safety features.

The 2026 Mazda CX-50's gauge displays were clear, with a 7-inch screen for data panels. The 10.25-inch infotainment screen offered sophisticated graphics and logical menus but was touch-enabled only for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Mazda Connect system used a control knob and buttons, requiring acclimation. Alexa built-in was available for voice assistance, but the Mazda Connect voice assistant was less reliable. Wireless smartphone charging was standard, though the placement was inconvenient. Lower trims had an eight-speaker audio system, while higher trims featured a 12-speaker Bose system. A head-up display was standard on higher trims, and a surround-view camera system was available for parking assistance.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 boasted a comprehensive standard safety suite, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and more. The Premium Plus trim added advanced features like an adaptive front-lighting system and a 360-degree View Monitor. While crash test results were pending, the previous model earned high safety ratings, and expectations were high for the new model.

The 2026 Mazda CX-50 came equipped with the i-Activesense suite, featuring adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitors, and more. Higher trims added features like traffic-sign recognition and an adaptive front lighting system. The Turbo Premium Plus trim included a surround-view camera system and advanced safety features. The CX-50 received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ award from IIHS, though it earned a Poor rating in a new whiplash prevention test.