It’s been totally redesigned, is longer and wider than before, and has technology Mazda hasn’t used up to now, and you can get it at Mazda of Orange in Orange, California.
Actually, the 2026 Mazda CX-5 isn’t just a little adjustment. It’s a total do-over of Mazda’s best seller since 2012. The look of the exterior takes inspiration from the CX-70 and CX-90, sporting sleeker LED headlights woven into a more polished grille, broader wheel arches, and the MAZDA lettering instead of the usual emblem on the back. It’s gained 4.5 inches in length overall, and the distance between the wheels is 3 inches longer, which translates directly into more legroom and space for luggage. You can have it in seven colors, with Navy Blue Mica being new for 2026.
Get into the 2026 CX-5 and your eyes are immediately drawn to the screen. Even on the basic models, a 12.9-inch display dominates the middle of the dashboard, and the Premium Plus trim has a huge 15.6-inch one. It’s the first Mazda with Google built right in, meaning you get Google Maps, the Google Assistant, and apps from the Google Play Store all without needing to get your phone involved. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are still included as standard. The older rotary dial is gone, swapped for a touchscreen that’s quick to respond and lets you pinch to zoom. Inside you’ll find materials ranging from tough, long lasting cloth to lovely leather, and you can choose two-tone color schemes. People in the back get an extra 2.3 inches of space for their knees compared to the previous CX-5.
The 2026 CX-5 has the Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, providing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, and it’s paired with a smoother 6-speed automatic gearbox. Mazda’s i-Activ All-Wheel Drive is standard on every version. And Kelley Blue Book, U.S. News, and Edmunds are all in agreement: the CX-5 is the most fun compact SUV to drive. Mazda has fine-tuned the engine and transmission for 2026 to give you a more immediate response when you step on the gas and a more relaxed feel when you’re cruising. G-Vectoring Control Plus makes it more stable when going around bends. They have confirmed a hybrid engine will be available in the 2027 model.
This 2026 CX-5 is the biggest and most important change to Mazda’s most popular vehicle in over ten years. This third generation is 4.5 inches longer, stands wider, and is roomier inside than any CX-5 before. It still costs less than $30,000 to start, and all trims include all-wheel drive as standard, which isn’t typical for this class of SUV. Mazda of Orange, at 1360 W Katella Ave, Orange, California, is your local Mazda dealer serving Anaheim, Irvine, Tustin, Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Villa Park, Yorba Linda, Fullerton, Placentia, Brea, and Costa Mesa.
The new CX-5 is directly competing with the 2026 Toyota RAV4, the 2026 Honda CR-V, and the 2026 Hyundai Tucson. It’s cheaper than all three of those Japanese competitors at the base level and includes standard all-wheel drive plus an interior that experts consistently say is the nicest in the class. Mazda of Orange offers a relaxed, uncomplicated shopping experience, with the option to buy online and have the car delivered to you within 100 miles, whether you’re swapping out a car, getting your first SUV, or comparing with other brands.
All 2026 CX-5 trims share the same 187 HP Skyactiv-G engine, 6-speed automatic, and i-Activ AWD. The differences are in interior materials, technology, and convenience features. MSRP figures listed below exclude taxes, title, license fees, and the $1,495 destination charge.
| Trim | MSRP | Screen | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 S | $29,990 | 12.9″ | Cloth seats, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Google built-in, full i-Activsense safety suite, LED headlights, digital instrument cluster |
| 2.5 S Select | $31,990 | 12.9″ | Everything in S plus synthetic leather upholstery, upgraded interior materials |
| 2.5 S Preferred | $34,250 | 12.9″ | Everything in Select plus power liftgate, 19-inch wheels, additional premium features |
| 2.5 S Premium | $36,900 | 12.9″ | Everything in Preferred plus genuine leather upholstery, panoramic glass roof, heated and ventilated front seats |
| 2.5 S Premium Plus | $38,990 | 15.6″ | Everything in Premium plus 15.6-inch touchscreen, head-up display, 360 Degree View Monitor, Lane Change Assist, premium Bose audio |
MSRP excludes taxes, title, license fees, and $1,495 destination charge (Alaska $1,540). See Mazda of Orange for final pricing, current incentives, and availability.
For the 2026 CX-5, Mazda has included Rear Automatic Emergency Braking, Rear Cross Traffic Braking, Forward Turn-Across Traffic Braking, Emergency Lane Keeping, Blind Spot Assist, and Traffic Sign Recognition on all models. Step up to the higher trims and you’ll find Lane Change Assist which will change lanes for you when you signal. Best of all, you don’t need to pay extra for a safety bundle.
The 2026 CX-5 Premium Plus boasts the biggest screen Mazda has ever put in a car. Thanks to Google built-in, you get Google Maps for navigation, Google Assistant for voice commands, and the ability to download apps from Google Play, all without plugging in your phone. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard across the range, and the touchscreen responds to all those pinch-to-zoom motions you’re used to.
Unlike Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson, which make you pay more for all-wheel drive, the CX-5 comes with i-Activ All-Wheel Drive as standard. And this isn’t some simple system; it’s actively watching 27 different things about how the car is moving and adjusting the power to the wheels before they begin to slip.
The 2026 CX-5 is 4.5 inches longer overall, and the distance between the wheels (the wheelbase) is 3 inches more. Back seat passengers get an extra 2.3 inches of legroom. There’s 33.7 cubic feet for luggage behind the rear seats, and 66.5 cubic feet when you fold the seats down. The rear seats split 40/20/40, so you can slide long items like skis or building materials through without collapsing the whole bench.
Reviewers in the industry consistently say the CX-5’s interior feels more luxurious than any other in its class. The nicer trims have real leather seats, those seats can be heated and cooled, a huge glass roof, and subtle, quality ambient lighting. Everything about the cabin’s design is meant to be relaxing and to keep the driver in mind, and every surface you touch is a quality material.
The compact SUV market is incredibly competitive, and here’s how the 2026 Mazda CX-5 compares to the 2026 Toyota RAV4 and 2026 Honda CR-V in the areas that matter most. Where the CX-5 is best, those cells are highlighted in green.
| Specification | 2026 Mazda CX-5 | 2026 Toyota RAV4 | 2026 Honda CR-V |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $29,990 ✓ | $31,900 | $30,920 |
| Standard AWD | Yes, All Trims ✓ | Yes | No (FWD base, +$1,500) |
| Combined MPG | 26 MPG | 41 MPG (Hybrid) ✓ | 30 MPG |
| Max Screen Size | 15.6″ ✓ | 12.5″ | 9.0″ |
| Google Built-In | Yes ✓ | No | No |
| Handling & Driving Feel | Best in Class ✓ | Comfort-Focused | Comfort-Focused |
| Interior Quality | Near-Luxury ✓ | Standard | Standard |
Mazda of Orange is at 1360 W Katella Ave, Orange, CA 92867, right by the 57 Freeway on Katella Avenue. Being in the middle of North Orange County means it’s easy to get to from pretty much anywhere in the area. From Anaheim on the 5, Irvine on the 55 going west, or Yorba Linda on the 91, Mazda of Orange is generally a 15-25 minute drive from most Orange County towns.
You can buy a CX-5 completely online from Mazda of Orange. Browse our stock, apply for and get approved for financing, and finish the sale from your sofa. We’ll deliver the car to you within 100 miles – from Pasadena to San Clemente. Phone the sales team on (714) 633-6731 or come to the showroom during opening hours.
