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Electric
2026 Mazda CX-5 preview: price, specs and release date in Australia
Terry Martin
July 14, 2025
It looks familiar, but the new 2026 Mazda CX-5 is bigger, roomier and higher tech with the third generation of its popular medium SUV. A hybrid is coming later.
The Mazda CX-5 medium SUV is one of the most popular models in Australia’s top-selling sales segment and will receive a major boost in 2026 with the launch of the third-generation series.
It might look familiar but the new 2026 Mazda CX-5 is bigger, roomier, more advanced and strikes a minimalist tone inside with its touchscreen-centric driver controls. It will launch next year with a conventional petrol engine, however Mazda Australia has confirmed a hybrid powertrain will join the range later.
This petrol-electric option will be important as Mazda aims to maintain its strong position in the fiercely competitive medium SUV segment, where hybrids have fast become a favoured choice among Australian buyers.
Has Mazda done enough to keep the CX-5 on the shortlist for buyers in Australia in this all-important segment? Let’s dive into the details to find out.
A large 15.6-inch touchscreen display dominates the dashboard of the 2026 Mazda CX-5.
How much will the 2026 Mazda CX-5 cost in Australia?
Even as newer and more sophisticated rivals are launched, the current second-generation Mazda CX-5 – now into its ninth year on sale in Australia – has remained a popular choice with regular updates and attractive pricing important factors, as seen with today’s $37,990 driveaway offer. That’s not too far from the entry-level CX-5 Maxx auto’s $30,690 (plus on-road costs) launch price way back in March 2017.
The third-generation 2026 Mazda CX-5 is sure to remain competitive against its major rivals but is expected to nonetheless bring significant price rises with the higher specification. While the lack of a hybrid powertrain at launch should enable Mazda to undercut hybrid-only competitors, count on the manufacturer’s list price shooting well past $40,000.
With the entry-level 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine not available at launch (and unlikely to be reinstated), the naturally aspirated 2.5-litre engine will lead the charge from around $45,000 before on-road costs are added. This will include standard auto transmission and all-wheel drive, the latter also contributing to a higher entry price.
When does the 2026 Mazda CX-5 go on sale in Australia?
The third-generation Mazda CX-5 has been confirmed for release during 2026, with first examples to arrive in the second half of the year. European deliveries are due to commence before the end of 2025, but Australian shipments won’t begin for at least six months after that.
All launch models will use a 2.5-litre petrol engine. Mazda Australia has confirmed that a hybrid powertrain will become available “at a later date” – which is expected to be 2027 or early 2028. The hybrid will arrive in Europe by the end of 2027 but there is no firm timing for Australia at this stage.
The 2026 Mazda CX-5 has bigger proportions but a familiar silhouette.
A large panoramic sunroof is fitted to high-series Mazda CX-5 variants.
The 'Mazda' name is now written across the tailgate of the CX-5.
A narrow, angular headlight design features on the new Mazda CX-5.
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2026 Mazda CX-5 exterior design
Clearly mindful of the success brought with the second-generation Mazda CX-5, which was designed more than a decade ago under the long-serving Kodo ‘Soul of Motion’ theme, the Japanese brand has not tampered too much with the formula when sculpting this new third iteration.
Kodo was introduced with the first CX-5 in 2012 and is still the guiding design ethos at Mazda, which sees the 2026 version retain its familiar sleek and elegant silhouette while working with bigger proportions. To that end, the new CX-5 measures 4690mm long (+115mm), 1860mm wide (+15mm) and 1695mm high (+20mm), resting on a 2815mm wheelbase (+115mm).
These figures position the CX-5 close to the Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan X-Trail, which are available with a third row. The CX-5 remains a five-seater only. Despite the growth spurt, it’s also slightly smaller than the other medium SUV in its own stable, the premium Mazda CX-60.
Mazda says the CX-5’s front end now has a more chiselled and wider-set appearance that incorporates its signature ‘wing’ grille between more angular headlights. On areas where steel body panels meet plastic trim, such as the front fenders, the designers took inspiration from traditional Japanese carpentry that uses intricate interlocking joints rather than nails or screws. This idea creates a clean, architectural look and aims to create the impression of a strong and durable structure.
At the rear, the CX-5 has a more angular tail-light treatment in keeping with other Mazda SUVs such as the CX-70 and CX-90, while ‘MAZDA’ lettering is prominent across the tailgate.
The new Mazda CX-5 imparts a classy and high-tech feel in premium models.
The new Mazda CX-5 includes a 10.25-inch digital instrument display and 15.6-inch touchscreen.
There is more rear seat room in the new Mazda CX-5, plus handy USB-C charging points.
Extra boot space and higher levels of versatility are found at the back of the 2026 Mazda CX-5.
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What is the 2026 Mazda CX-5 like inside?
The exterior look of the new 2026 Mazda CX-5 might be a deliberate attempt to win over current owners and other core constituents, but radical changes are apparent inside the cabin. Most notably, there is an uncluttered, minimalist approach to the driver controls and dashboard that will delight some occupants and might displease others, such as those who favour switchgear on the dash stack and centre console.
In the new CX-5, most of these traditional buttons are gone, including the current rotary dial in between the front seats that controls the dash-mounted infotainment screen. Instead, the carmaker has developed a new centre touchscreen, which in high-spec models is a 15.6-inch unit – the largest ever offered on a Mazda vehicle – that calls for a different mindset, especially when drilling into menus to operate vehicle functions. Lower grades use a new 12.9-inch central display.
Mazda insists it makes for a “calm, yet functional interior” but we’ll reserve judgement until we get behind the wheel. It certainly reinforces the sense of space on offer in the roomier new CX-5, helped further with the inclusion of a panoramic sunroof on high-grade variants, as well as the attention to detail seen in areas such as surface treatments, colour combinations (tan leather/charcoal and a split white/grey artificial leather trim with dark inserts, for example) and interior lighting. The latter includes seven colour options for LED ambient lighting on the front door trim.
In Europe and the UK, the new CX-5 will be offered in four grades: Prime-Line, Centre-Line, Exclusive-Line and Homura, each with distinct interior finishes and equipment.
As well as extra space in all directions across the front and rear compartments, Mazda points to other practical elements such as larger door openings that improve ingress and egress, and a bigger luggage area. The European cargo volume is 567 litres (+61L). Mazda says the area behind the rear seats is 50mm longer and 25mm higher, aided by a lower lift-in height that drops 18mm compared to the current CX-5 to allow for easier loading. A one-touch fold-down lever for the rear seats (now split 40/20/40) is also noted.
The 2026 Mazda CX-5 will rely on a 2.5-litre petrol engine at launch, but a hybrid powertrain is coming.
What powers the 2026 Mazda CX-5?
The 2026 Mazda CX-5 will launch with a revised version of the current 2.5-litre SkyActiv-G four-cylinder petrol engine that’s less powerful at 132kW (-8kW) and has less torque at 242Nm (-10Nm). As is the case now, the engine is paired with a conventional six-speed torque-converter automatic transmission, but only a single driveline option – i-Activ all-wheel drive – will be available.
Mazda claims this latest iteration of the 2.5-litre naturally aspirated engine has been recalibrated for greater flexibility, “with an emphasis on offering both sharper response and also a more relaxed, quiet demeanour, based on how the vehicle is driven”. In Europe, Japan and other markets, the engine includes a mild hybrid system for improved fuel economy and other benefits (albeit with lower outputs of 104kW/238Nm), however Australian-spec cars will not have this M Hybrid feature.
These overseas markets also include a front-wheel drive option. Towing capacity in Europe is rated at 2000kg. Australian towing details are not yet finalised; today’s 2.5-litre petrol can tow up to 1800kg while the 2.5L turbo-petrol has a 2000kg limit.
The current entry-level 2.0-litre petrol will not be available at launch in the new generation, nor will the flagship 170kW/420Nm 2.5-litre turbo-petrol. Don’t count on diesel making a comeback either.
All eyes are on the forthcoming SkyActiv-Z hybrid powertrain, which Mazda says is still in development and will be designed to achieve “ideal combustion”.
Mazda will offer several new advanced driver assistance systems in the Gen 3 CX-5.
What safety and technology features on the 2026 Mazda CX-5?
The new third-generation Mazda CX-5 was originally expected to be underpinned by the carmaker’s new large vehicle architecture, as found in the Mazda CX-60 and larger new SUVs, but the vehicle has emerged with an evolution of the current front-wheel drive/AWD platform.
This has not prevented fresh technology appearing on the CX-5, including several still-to-be-specified advanced driver assistance systems and an all-new human-machine interface (HMI) headlined by the touchscreen display and Mazda’s latest operating system.
Among the highlights is Google built-in, which enables integration with key Google apps and services including Google Maps, Google Play Store and the Gemini AI assistant. The new central touchscreen is complemented by a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, while device charging is supported by USB-C connections front and rear. Higher grades also have a premium 12-speaker Bose sound system.
Mazda engineers have retained the CX-5’s front strut/rear multilink suspension design and claim the new SUV’s driving dynamics will “combine a high level of unity with comfort”. As is the case now, a 19-inch wheel and tyre combination will be available at the top of the range.
Mazda says it’s targeting a maximum five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP, which would likely translate to an equivalent ANCAP rating in Australia.
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