The 2026 Mazda CX-5 starts at $29,990* and tops out at $38,990* across five grades. Every grade uses a 187-horsepower SKYACTIV-G 2.5 four-cylinder. Every grade includes standard i-Activ all-wheel drive. Every grade earns the same EPA rating: 24 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, 26 mpg combined. Maximum cargo room is 58.1 cubic feet. An available 15.6-inch touchscreen is the largest infotainment screen Mazda has ever fitted to a production vehicle. You can see it in person at Mazda of Orange in Orange.
This page lists every published figure for the redesigned compact crossover, sold at Mazda of Orange: engine output, EPA ratings, dimensions, capacities, and lineup pricing.
2026 Mazda CX-5 Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Powertrain | SKYACTIV-G 2.5 DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 187 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 186 lb-ft |
| EPA MPG | 24 city / 30 highway / 26 combined |
| Seating | 5 |
| Max towing | 1,500 lb (properly equipped) |
| Drivetrain | i-Activ AWD standard on all grades |
| Standard driver-assist suite | i-Activsense (the manufacturer does not publish a version designation) |
| Max cargo volume | 58.1 cu ft |
| Starting MSRP | $29,990* to $38,990* |
*MSRP shown does not include $85 dealer doc fee, taxes, title, or license. Contact dealer for total price.
The EPA rating holds steady across the whole lineup. You are not trading efficiency for equipment as you move up the ladder. Those figures come from the EPA fuel-economy ratings.
What is the Mazda CX-5?
The Mazda CX-5 is a five-passenger compact crossover SUV and Mazda’s highest-volume model. Shoppers most often cross-shop it against the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. The 2026 model year marks the third generation, an all-new platform, not a refresh.
Within Mazda’s own showroom, the CX-5 sits between the subcompact CX-30 and the larger CX-50. The CX-50 shares a segment with the CX-5 but leans more toward outdoor-oriented packaging. Above both sits the three-row CX-90. The CX-5 is the conventional choice in that group: two rows, a single naturally aspirated gas engine, and standard all-wheel drive.
Every 2026 grade uses the same SKYACTIV-G 2.5 four-cylinder paired to a six-speed automatic. There is no turbocharged variant and no hybrid at launch. Mazda has confirmed a SKYACTIV-Z hybrid powertrain arriving for 2027. That means the 2026 lineup is gas-only from top to bottom. Cargo volume measures 29.1 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 58.1 cubic feet with them folded. Length is 184.6 inches on a 110.8-inch wheelbase, dimensions that put it squarely in the heart of the compact segment.
2026 Mazda CX-5 Trim Levels and Pricing
Five grades share one engine and one drivetrain. The step-up decision is about equipment, not performance.
| Trim | Powertrain | Drivetrain | Starting MSRP | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 S | SKYACTIV-G 2.5 | AWD | $29,990* | Entry if you want AWD standard |
| 2.5 S Select | SKYACTIV-G 2.5 | AWD | $31,990* | The volume grade for you |
| 2.5 S Preferred | SKYACTIV-G 2.5 | AWD | $34,250* | Comfort and convenience upgrades |
| 2.5 S Premium | SKYACTIV-G 2.5 | AWD | $36,900* | Higher-end cabin materials |
| 2.5 S Premium Plus | SKYACTIV-G 2.5 | AWD | $38,990* | The fully loaded pick |
*MSRP shown does not include $85 dealer doc fee, taxes, title, or license. Contact dealer for total price.
The spread from bottom to top is $9,000. Because every grade shares the same powertrain and the same EPA rating, you are choosing purely on features. Want the full grade-by-grade equipment breakdown? Browse our CX-5 inventory to see what is available now in Orange. If you are weighing a used alternative, our pre-owned selection and certified pre-owned listings may include earlier CX-5 model years.
2026 Mazda CX-5 Powertrain: 187 hp SKYACTIV-G 2.5, 26 MPG Combined
SKYACTIV-G 2.5 Four-Cylinder: 187 hp, 26 mpg
The 2026 CX-5 launches with a single powertrain family. Here is what you get on every grade from the 2.5 S through the 2.5 S Premium Plus, per the official Mazda specifications:
| Spec | Figure |
|---|---|
| Engine | SKYACTIV-G 2.5 DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 187 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 186 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | i-Activ AWD (standard) |
| EPA city | 24 mpg |
| EPA highway | 30 mpg |
| EPA combined | 26 mpg |
| Max towing | 1,500 lb |
The standout characteristic here is drivetrain consistency. Many rivals in this segment charge extra for all-wheel drive or reserve it for higher grades. The $29,990* base 2.5 S and the $38,990* Premium Plus both get i-Activ AWD standard. No MPG penalty separates the two, because the rating is uniform across the lineup.
A SKYACTIV-Z hybrid powertrain is confirmed as a future addition for the 2027 model year. It is not available on any 2026 grade.
2026 Mazda CX-5 Dimensions and Capacities
Every figure below applies to all five grades.
| Measurement | Figure |
|---|---|
| Overall length | 184.6 in |
| Overall width | 73.2 in |
| Overall height | 66.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 110.8 in |
| Ground clearance | 8.0 in |
| Cargo volume behind rear seats | 29.1 cu ft |
| Maximum cargo volume | 58.1 cu ft |
| Passenger volume | 103.6 cu ft |
| Seating capacity | 5 |
| Max towing | 1,500 lb |
The 8.0 inches of ground clearance is worth noting for anyone dealing with steep driveway aprons or the occasional unpaved parking area. The 58.1 cubic feet of maximum cargo space is the number to weigh against a Costco run or a beach-gear haul.
Every 2026 Mazda CX-5 includes i-Activsense, the standard driver-assist safety suite across the lineup.
Quick Take: How the 2026 CX-5 Stacks up Against Rivals
Two rivals dominate the cross-shop list at this price point.
- Price of entry: The CX-5 opens at $29,990* with all-wheel drive standard. The 2026 Toyota RAV4 opens at $31,900*. Its LE front-drive grade makes 226 hp, but matching the Mazda’s standard AWD means stepping up to the $33,300* LE AWD, which makes 236 hp.
- Cargo room: The CX-5 maxes out at 58.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and it delivers that with AWD standard. The 2026 Honda CR-V LX starts at $30,920* as a front-driver, with AWD optional.
- Honest trade-off: Neither rival’s efficiency ceiling is within reach here. The 2026 Toyota RAV4 is hybrid-only and rates 38 to 43 mpg, and the 2026 Honda CR-V rates up to 40 mpg on its hybrid grades. The CX-5 rates 26 mpg combined, a gap no amount of gearing closes.
Driving the 2026 CX-5 in Orange
Mazda of Orange sits at 1360 W Katella Ave, Orange, CA 92867, just off the Katella Avenue exit off the 57. That puts the CX-5 in the middle of Orange County’s densest commuting grid before you have even left the lot.
The 26 mpg combined rating matters most on the daily grind between Orange, Anaheim, Santa Ana and Tustin, where stop-and-go traffic on the 22 and the 5 eats fuel faster than any highway run. For you heading to Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park, the 8.0 inches of ground clearance is helpful on steep parking-structure ramp transitions. 29.1 cubic feet behind the rear seats swallows strollers and a full day’s worth of gear.
Weekend trips to Knott’s Berry Farm out toward Buena Park, or a longer haul down the coast to Mission San Juan Capistrano, are where 58.1 cubic feet of folded-seat capacity earns its space. Load beach chairs, coolers and boards for a run to the Huntington Beach Pier, and there is still room for five. Standard i-Activ AWD is the quiet advantage on wet winter mornings coming out of the canyons or heading inland toward Riverside County, where surface conditions change fast. Shoppers in Irvine, Garden Grove and across the OC find us an easy drive.
Why Buy Your 2026 CX-5 from Mazda of Orange
- Ask us which CX-5 grades are on the ground right now, and we will line up the ones you want to compare, check current CX-5 inventory before you visit.
- Our location just off the 57 at Katella makes us a straightforward stop for you from Anaheim, Santa Ana, Tustin and greater Orange County.
- Our service department handles CX-5 maintenance from the first oil change onward, and you can book a service appointment online.
- See any service specials currently posted on our website.
- Our parts department can supply genuine Mazda parts and accessories through parts and accessories.
Schedule Your 2026 CX-5 Test Drive in Orange
Drive the CX-5 on real Orange County roads before you decide. Book a test drive and we will have the grade you want ready if it is available. Check our visiting hours and location or call us at (714) 633-6731. Contact us for current inventory pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting price of the 2026 Mazda CX-5?
Pricing opens at $29,990* for the 2.5 S. It tops out at $38,990* for the 2.5 S Premium Plus. In between sit the 2.5 S Select at $31,990*, the 2.5 S Preferred at $34,250*, and the 2.5 S Premium at $36,900*. Every grade includes i-Activ all-wheel drive as standard equipment.
What is the MPG of the 2026 Mazda CX-5?
EPA ratings come in at 24 mpg city, 30 mpg highway and 26 mpg combined. That rating applies uniformly across all five grades, from the 2.5 S through the 2.5 S Premium Plus, because every one uses the same SKYACTIV-G 2.5 engine and standard i-Activ all-wheel drive.
How much horsepower does the 2026 CX-5 have?
Output measures 187 horsepower at 6,000 rpm. Torque measures 186 lb-ft. Both come from the SKYACTIV-G 2.5 DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder. This is the only engine offered for 2026, so the figures hold identical across all five grades. A six-speed automatic transmission handles gear changes on every version.
How many trims does the 2026 Mazda CX-5 come in?
Five grades make up the lineup: 2.5 S, 2.5 S Select, 2.5 S Preferred, 2.5 S Premium and 2.5 S Premium Plus. All five share the same 187-hp engine, the same six-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive, which means the step-up decision comes down to equipment rather than performance.
What’s new for 2026?
Mazda redesigned the CX-5 entirely for 2026, making this the third generation of the crossover. An available 15.6-inch touchscreen with Google Built-in, including Google Maps and Google Assistant, is the largest screen Mazda has ever fitted. Several new advanced driver-assistance features join the roster as well.
Is the 2026 CX-5 the same as the 2025?
No. The 2026 model is an all-new third generation rather than a carryover. It launches with a 187-hp SKYACTIV-G 2.5 engine, a six-speed automatic and standard i-Activ all-wheel drive across all five grades. The available 15.6-inch touchscreen with Google Built-in is new for this generation.
How much can the 2026 CX-5 tow?
Maximum tow rating is 1,500 pounds when properly equipped. That figure applies to all five grades, since the entire lineup shares one engine and one drivetrain configuration. The rating suits a small utility trailer or a pair of personal watercraft rather than a boat or camper.
How much cargo space does the 2026 CX-5 have?
Cargo volume measures 29.1 cubic feet behind the second row. It expands to 58.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat. Passenger volume comes in at 103.6 cubic feet. Those figures apply to every grade, because all five share identical body dimensions and interior packaging.
Does the 2026 CX-5 come with all-wheel drive?
Yes, and it is standard rather than optional. Mazda fits i-Activ all-wheel drive to all five grades, including the $29,990* base 2.5 S. There is no front-wheel-drive version of the 2026 lineup, so the drivetrain question is settled regardless of which grade fits your budget.
Is there a hybrid version of the 2026 CX-5?
Not for the 2026 model year. Mazda has confirmed a SKYACTIV-Z hybrid powertrain as a future addition arriving in 2027. Every 2026 grade uses the naturally aspirated SKYACTIV-G 2.5 gas four-cylinder, rated at 24 city, 30 highway and 26 combined mpg.
What safety features are standard on the 2026 CX-5?
i-Activsense is Mazda’s standard driver-assist suite, fitted to every grade in the lineup. The manufacturer does not publish a version designation for it. Mazda also added several new advanced driver-assistance system features as part of the 2026 redesign, expanding what the third-generation crossover offers over its predecessor.
How many people does the 2026 CX-5 seat?
Seating is five across every grade, arranged in two rows. Passenger volume measures 103.6 cubic feet. There is no six or seven-passenger configuration available, so if you need a third row should look at the larger CX-90 rather than trying to stretch the CX-5 packaging.
What are the dimensions of the 2026 CX-5?
Overall length is 184.6 inches. Width is 73.2 inches. Height is 66.7 inches. It rides on a 110.8-inch wheelbase, with ground clearance measuring 8.0 inches. These dimensions apply identically to all five grades, from the 2.5 S through the 2.5 S Premium Plus.
How does the CX-5 compare with the 2026 Toyota RAV4 on price?
Entry pricing favors the Mazda. The CX-5 opens at $29,990* with all-wheel drive included. The 2026 Toyota RAV4 starts at $31,900* and reaches $43,300* at the top. Matching the CX-5’s standard AWD means stepping to the RAV4 LE AWD at $33,300*, which makes 236 hp versus the base LE’s 226 hp.
Which 2026 CX-5 trim is the best value?
The 2.5 S Select at $31,990* lands as the volume choice for you. It adds equipment over the base 2.5 S for $2,000 while keeping the same 187-hp engine, 26 mpg combined rating and standard all-wheel drive. Moving to the 2.5 S Preferred adds another $2,260.
Has the CX-5 won any awards?
Autotrader named the CX-5 to its Best New Cars of 2026 list in the compact SUV category, an editorial pick recognizing value and ownership merit within the segment. The recognition applies to the CX-5 nameplate and reflects how the crossover measures up against compact SUV competitors on overall ownership proposition.
Sources: EPA fuel-economy ratings · official Mazda specifications