New Mazda CX-5 revealed: family SUV gets mild hybrid power
Third-gen family SUV features mild hybrid petrol power and expanded dimensions...
On sale Early 2026 | Price from £35,000 (est)
Looking at the fresh face of this new, third-generation Mazda CX-5 family SUV, see if you can spot the following elements in its design. First, Yohaku, which – Mazda tells us – means the beauty of empty space. Second, Sori, which means curves with poise and balance. And finally, Utsuroi, describing the delicate play between light and shadow.
Well, all of that might take a grounding in Japanese art and culture to be able to nod along with, but the new CX-5 is certainly an imposing sight. And it needs to be, because it competes in one of the most hotly contested markets around: the family SUV heartland, which is dominated by the Kia Sportage, Nissan Qashqai and Volkswagen Tiguan.
To get its teeth into these rivals, the new CX-5 has grown in terms of both its size and the technology it offers. It’s longer, wider and taller than the car it replaces, and its wheels have been pushed to the very edges with the aim of increasing interior room.
The CX-5’s nose is higher than before, giving it a more muscular, imposing stance. And so other road users know what they’ve just been overtaken by, ‘Mazda’ is now spelt out across the tailgate. There are seven colours to choose from, and alloy wheels ranging from 17-19in.
Inside, you’re meant to get a feeling of Ma; that’s a combination of space, balance and harmony to you and I. When we took a seat in a prototype CX-5, we found even more room in the back than there is in the old car; even tall adults can stretch out in comfort. The materials inside felt pleasing, too, with soft surfaces to be found in all the right places.
A new Google-based infotainment system is mounted high on the dash, with 12.9in or 15.6in touchscreens, depending on trim level. The system supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay phone mirroring, but it’s a shame that the CX-5 misses out on the easy-to-use physical rotary controller you’ll find in the bigger Mazda CX-60 and CX-80 SUVs.
Elsewhere, all models have a 10.25in digital instrument cluster, and a head-up display is available to place the most important driving information in your line of sight. There’s also wireless phone charging, plus seven selectable colours of ambient lighting.
As well as being more spacious for passengers, the new CX-5 can carry more of their luggage. At 583 litres up to the load cover, the boot has grown by 61 litres; with the outgoing car holding eight carry-on suitcases in our test (more than the Nissan Qashqai can handle), holiday packing should be a cinch. And if you find yourself in need of even more room for clobber, the rear seatbacks split and fold in a 40/20/40 arrangement.
Simplicity is the name of the game when it comes to the engine line-up. The sole option is a 139bhp 2.5-litre petrol with mild hybrid electrical assistance and a six-speed automatic gearbox. Front-wheel drive is standard, but traction-enhancing four-wheel drive is available too. Shared with the Mazda 3 family hatchback, the engine is said to allow 0-62mph in 10.5sec and officially averages 38.6mpg, while emitting 157g/km of CO2. That means – with no plug-in hybrid or fully electric option in sight – the CX-5 won’t be the cheapest family SUV to run.
Trim levels are Prime-Line, Centre-Line, Exclusive-Line and Homura, the latter of which brings the bigger, 15.6in infotainment screen and adds adaptive LED headlights, plus hands-free operation of the electric tailgate.
While prices for the new CX-5 haven’t been revealed yet, it’s expected to start from around £35,000. That would be a small increase compared with the current model, and it would make the CX-5 a bit more expensive than most of its rivals. Still, no one ever suggested that embodying Yohaku, Sori and Utsuroi would be a cheap business.
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