The Mazda CX-5 Grows for 2026

Love the update. It's a shame to hear the turbo may be gone. I'd also be wary about buying a new hybrid system first year out.

I've always thought the CX-5 was a looker for this class of vehicle. It remains that. It's good that it grows a bit. One of my better friends has the last gen and it really is a little cramped for what it is, compared to my MKC (Escape). 

@Drew Dowdell Does it have AA/AC or did they follow GM with the Android system only and required Google store purchase to have your apps?

If Nissan delivers on the new Leaf, it will be a better value than this Mazda.

7 minutes ago, G. David Felt said:

If Nissan delivers on the new Leaf, it will be a better value than this Mazda.

But then you'd be driving a Nissan... 

4 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

@Drew Dowdell Does it have AA/AC or did they follow GM with the Android system only and required Google store purchase to have your apps?

It does have Android Auto and Apple Car Play. The press release doesn’t mention it but some of the photos show it on the screen.

4 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

If Nissan delivers on the new Leaf, it will be a better value than this Mazda.

Two completely different vehicles but mmmkay dude.

4 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

If Nissan delivers on the new Leaf, it will be a better value than this Mazda.

What precisely are you smoking?

15 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

What precisely are you smoking?

He's high on those EV fumes. 🤣

On 7/10/2025 at 2:58 PM, surreal1272 said:

Two completely different vehicles but mmmkay dude.

On 7/10/2025 at 3:19 PM, Drew Dowdell said:

What precisely are you smoking?

Based on the average person driving 40 miles a day, cost of gas versus electricity, less maintenance than ICE or Hybrid, if Nissan delivered the 3rd generation Leaf with 300 miles give or take 20 miles of range for less than this, I think many people will go with the leaf EV over an ICE/Hybrid as a better value.

As Drew posted in response to a LinkedIn post, most folks would charge at home allowing them to save much more than what ICE / Hybrids / Hydrogen would deliver.

When the CX-50 came out, I thought it was going to replace the CX-5. Then I found out the CX-5 was staying. Now the CX-5 grew... the two vehicles are about an inch off the length and width from one another. Yes, styling is a little different, and the CX-50 will be the only one with a turbo now... still, it just seems so close.

17 hours ago, G. David Felt said:

 

Based on the average person driving 40 miles a day, cost of gas versus electricity, less maintenance than ICE or Hybrid, if Nissan delivered the 3rd generation Leaf with 300 miles give or take 20 miles of range for less than this, I think many people will go with the leaf EV over an ICE/Hybrid as a better value.

As Drew posted in response to a LinkedIn post, most folks would charge at home allowing them to save much more than what ICE / Hybrids / Hydrogen would deliver.

And none of what you just said changes what I said in my original post. Two completely different vehicles, in powertrains and class of vehicles. For starers, the Mazda is a foot longer than the upcoming Leaf. Then there's the AWD part of the equation. See where this is going yet?

1 hour ago, surreal1272 said:

And none of what you just said changes what I said in my original post. Two completely different vehicles, in powertrains and class of vehicles. For starers, the Mazda is a foot longer than the upcoming Leaf. Then there's the AWD part of the equation. See where this is going yet?

Thinking old school, considering how much more space EVs are giving in smaller over all packages. Nissan has stated that the 3rd generation Leaf will start out FWD, but have an AWD option after launch. Length in growing an ICE auto is old school thinking in making room for other ice auto's and yet that is where looking at comparison of seating space, cargo space, etc. we see much more space in the EVs that are equal in many cases to an ICE one class bigger.

I am only pointing out that price is an old comparison tool for like segments and that with EVs this will change as people look at the price but also the inside space and we will see a bigger mix of comparison of ICE to EV across categories.

On 7/13/2025 at 2:08 PM, G. David Felt said:

Thinking old school, considering how much more space EVs are giving in smaller over all packages. Nissan has stated that the 3rd generation Leaf will start out FWD, but have an AWD option after launch. Length in growing an ICE auto is old school thinking in making room for other ice auto's and yet that is where looking at comparison of seating space, cargo space, etc. we see much more space in the EVs that are equal in many cases to an ICE one class bigger.

I am only pointing out that price is an old comparison tool for like segments and that with EVs this will change as people look at the price but also the inside space and we will see a bigger mix of comparison of ICE to EV across categories.

Thinking old school? No. Thinking simple math here when you’re talking about a foot of difference in length. Again, two completely different class and size vehicles. No one is cross shopping those two. 
 

BTW, the Mazda has almost DOUBLE the cargo space of the current Leaf. That’s what a whole extra foot of length gets you regardless of the powertrain. That’s my whole point. You lumped in two completely different vehicles for no real reason other than a made up scenario. 

On 7/13/2025 at 1:08 PM, G. David Felt said:

I am only pointing out that price is an old comparison tool for like segments and that with EVs this will change as people look at the price but also the inside space and we will see a bigger mix of comparison of ICE to EV across categories.

Um, what? Price is likely 90% determining factor when buying a vehicle. If everybody had the funds to easily afford a Tahoe/Suburban/Silverado (and their corresponding GMC, Ford and Jeep/Ram counterparts) most people would buy them, because people just like big and tall vehicles. Yes, I know not EVERYBODY would do this, but I would wager good money that this size vehicle would have well over 50% market share. 

18 hours ago, surreal1272 said:

You lumped in two completely different vehicles for no real reason other than a made up scenario.

He will go to pretty absurd lengths to compare an EV to ICE vehicles. I'm just surprised it wasn't compared to a Hyundai/Kia. 

This is interesting, makes sense what Mazda response is for why the Turbo will not be brought back.

Hybrid will be equal to or better than the Turbo which has been proven by Toyota with their Rav4 Hybrid which is their fastest auto now in the portfolio.

This Is Why Mazda Won't Bring Back The CX-5 Turbo

Sadly just far more complexity than needed.

On 7/18/2025 at 5:40 PM, G. David Felt said:

This is interesting, makes sense what Mazda response is for why the Turbo will not be brought back.

Hybrid will be equal to or better than the Turbo which has been proven by Toyota with their Rav4 Hybrid which is their fastest auto now in the portfolio.

This Is Why Mazda Won't Bring Back The CX-5 Turbo

Sadly just far more complexity than needed.

I'm ok with the hybrid if the performance is there, but if it's mated to a CVT--I simply would be turned off.

On 7/10/2025 at 1:28 PM, G. David Felt said:

If Nissan delivers on the new Leaf, it will be a better value than this Mazda.

That's like saying herpes is better than getting laid, actually. 

On 7/30/2025 at 9:53 PM, Paolino said:

I'm ok with the hybrid if the performance is there, but if it's mated to a CVT--I simply would be turned off.

Depends on the CVT, if it is the E-CVT of Toyota, apparently its quite reliable. I thought this vehicle came with a CVT, very glad it has a traditional transmission. We will see what I do for the next vehicle, a small AWD SUV might be the berries. 

I like this better than a RAV 4, but resale is night and day better on the RAV 4. and I like Subaru's AWD system better. 

Ford is canceling, the Escape, which is a dated and unlikeable product. 

Nissan would be a no go for me for CVT reasons, as would Honda. Were I to go Subaru, I might buy a hybrid to get the E-CVT. 

On 7/10/2025 at 5:37 PM, Drew Dowdell said:

It does have Android Auto and Apple Car Play. The press release doesn’t mention it but some of the photos show it on the screen.

That would be a huge plus for me. 

On 7/18/2025 at 5:40 PM, G. David Felt said:

This is interesting, makes sense what Mazda response is for why the Turbo will not be brought back.

Hybrid will be equal to or better than the Turbo which has been proven by Toyota with their Rav4 Hybrid which is their fastest auto now in the portfolio.

This Is Why Mazda Won't Bring Back The CX-5 Turbo

Sadly just far more complexity than needed.

I would prefer the hybrid anyways. 

On 7/15/2025 at 12:28 PM, ccap41 said:

Um, what? Price is likely 90% determining factor when buying a vehicle. If everybody had the funds to easily afford a Tahoe/Suburban/Silverado (and their corresponding GMC, Ford and Jeep/Ram counterparts) most people would buy them, because people just like big and tall vehicles. Yes, I know not EVERYBODY would do this, but I would wager good money that this size vehicle would have well over 50% market share. 

He will go to pretty absurd lengths to compare an EV to ICE vehicles. I'm just surprised it wasn't compared to a Hyundai/Kia. 

Whatever he was smoking hadn't fully kicked in, give it until two PM. And I say this in playful jest, not to start a C and G esque 9 page flame war.

On 7/11/2025 at 9:35 AM, ccap41 said:

He's high on those EV fumes. 🤣

Tell me weed is legal in Washington (state) without telling me weed is legal in Washington (state).

On 7/10/2025 at 5:58 PM, surreal1272 said:

Two completely different vehicles but mmmkay dude.

If they made a Citroen 2CV Electric model it would be the cats ass compared to this Mazda.  According to some. Or to be like our great leader..."They tell me the 2CV Electric is as good as the 2040 Mazda CX 5...."

In all seriousness, I wonder how the plastics in this and the seat covers would hold up to heavy use, I do a lot of hiking and get out in the wilderness often.