5 Reasons to Avoid the 2026 Mazda CX-5 Now

Ooooof. The previous CX-5 had buttons and knobs for most functions, which were clear, easy to use, and operated with the fluidity usually found in luxury vehicles. Now, nearly every physical control in the redesigned 2026 Mazda CX-5 has been relocated to the infotainment screen. As one tester says, “It’s one step forward and three steps backward.” 

For example, there’s no longer a volume knob. It’s replaced by an on-screen slider that is accessed by first tapping the screen. At least the driver gets thumb-controlled volume buttons on the steering wheel. 

Adjusting the climate system is now a headache. While changing the temperature is always accessible on the screen, other adjustments require wading through the menu structure. There are multiple steps required to change the fan speed, and turning on the seat heaters and steering wheel heat on a cold day requires waiting for the system to initialize, then navigating a convoluted menu. 

Disabling the engine stop/start system involves a few steps on the screen (rather than just pressing a physical button), while adjusting the brightness levels for the instrument panel and center screen is done through an onscreen menu that is particularly challenging to access and adjust while driving at night.

Mazda’s former well-designed steering wheel controls were replaced by flat, multifunction pads that are more difficult to use without looking down at them.

It’s a shame when the best thing about the CX-5’s controls is that the gear selector, turn signals, headlight controls, wipers, and mirror controls are all conventional buttons, switches, and levers. That gets it a slow golf clap.

Unfortunately, the redesigned 2026 Mazda CX-5’s cabin is a letdown compared with the previous-generation CX-5 and both versions of the CX-50 we tested. 

“This is one of the most depressing areas of the vehicle compared to past Mazdas,” said one of our testers. Even the top-shelf Premium Plus trim Mazda lent us had hard plastic everywhere, including the center console and shroud over the instrument panel. The upper, middle, and lower sections of the dashboard are plastic, as are most of the door panels. Even the padded sections on the door and the center armrests feel thin, and there’s zero padding for the driver’s right knee on the center console.

The S Preferred trim we purchased is also a letdown. “The easiest way to sum this up is ‘acceptable for the class but not for Mazda,’" said one tester. “For $37,000, there’s nothing that feels overly cheap, but there’s so much more hard plastic and fewer padded surfaces compared to previous Mazda vehicles.” The cost-cutting is overt, and it sacrifices a key distinction that previously separated Mazda in this hotly contested category.

The interior presents nicely, but it’s clear that Mazda took a lot of “surprise and delight” content, such as soft-touch surfaces, out of the cabin in order to give the SUV a reasonable price.

Until recently, Mazdas were known for their comfortable, supportive front seats. They usually had pronounced, though far from restrictive, back and bottom cushion bolsters that held the occupant in place during spirited driving. However, a number of our testers have been less than enthused about the seats in the CX-50 and CX-90 variants we tested, calling the cushions hard and even likening them to a park bench.

It’s a similar story with the 2026 CX-5. The top-level S Premium Plus trim we borrowed from Mazda came with standard leather seats. Their padding and comfort were better than those in our tested CX-50s, but they weren’t stellar. So far, the seats in the CX-5 S Preferred trim we bought to test have received mixed reactions. Overly pronounced lumbar support, stiff and unyielding fabric surfaces, and minimal to nonexistent bolsters on the back and bottom cushion are the main complaints. Most praise came from testers noting that they aren’t nearly as stiff as the seats in the CX-50, which isn’t necessarily a ringing endorsement. If you’re still considering the redesigned CX-5, make sure to take long test drives to see whether the seats are acceptable. 

The CX-5’s cabin gets loud, particularly on the highway. The engine has a coarse note that really resonates in the cabin when it’s pushed hard. Because there isn’t a ton of available power, the engine has to rev high in passing situations or when accelerating up a hill, which attenuates the soundtrack. The engine is quieter at lower RPMs, but even the slightest acceleration brings the unpleasant sound to life. While road and wind noise are also evident, they seem in line with those of other compact SUVs, such as the Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson.  

Mazda’s long-running 3 sedan and hatchback have had mostly above-average reliability in Consumer Reports’ Auto Surveys. The MX-5 Miata roadster and the CX-30 SUV have had average or above-average reliability, and the CX-50 has had average reliability. However, Mazda’s most recent models, the CX-70 and CX-90, have not fared as well. Those midsized SUVs use an entirely new platform and are available in both gas and plug-in hybrid powertrains. Historically, an all-new or redesigned model that uses a new platform will have a few years of reliability problems as the automaker works out mechanical or technological issues. The two new SUVs have had their share of headaches, with the gas models coming in with below-average reliability and the PHEV versions even worse, at well below average. 

The CX-5 has been one of Mazda’s most reliable models for many years. Because it isn’t a clean-sheet redesign, the early versions may not have many issues. However, as our data analysts have seen time and time again, an all-new infotainment system can pose a big reliability headache. 

We’re giving you six reasons to hold off buying a 2026 Mazda CX-5 for the price of five, because it won’t be a drawback forever. The reason is that the hybrid isn’t available yet. The automaker told Consumer Reports that a CX-5 with a Mazda-developed hybrid powertrain will arrive for the 2027 model year. Given the previous generation’s ho-hum fuel economy, the variety of hybrid-powered compact SUVs from other automakers, and volatile gas prices, buyers may just want to wait until we can buy, test, and report on the hybrid next year.

Although we haven’t finished our testing and don’t have reliability data on the new model, there are buyers who don’t want to, or can’t, wait to get the 2026 CX-5. Based on our experience thus far and our first drive review, despite its shortcomings, the new CX-5 is likely to remain a worthwhile option within the compact SUV category. 

One area where Mazda stands out from many other automakers is its prioritization of safety as a standard feature across all trim levels. In addition to automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, and rear cross traffic warning, the CX-5 comes with advanced features such as rear cross traffic braking and rear pedestrian detection braking, as well as an alert and braking to prevent accidents when making a turn across traffic.

Our testers feel that the suspension does a better job of absorbing impacts and keeping the new CX-5 settled than its predecessor. For example, the harshness of hitting a pothole or pavement seam doesn’t punch into the cabin.

Even though it feels more softly sprung than the last CX-5 and past Mazda SUVs, the new CX-5 still feels nimble and controllable, and it handles better than most of its competitors.

While we aren’t fans of how (nearly) every control has been jammed into the center screen, at least it’s a touchscreen. Gone are Mazda’s rotary knob, which made it challenging to navigate the system in past models, and the “not a touchscreen, except it’s a touchscreen when using Android Auto and Apple CarPlay” display. 

The best small SUVs are presented in rank order based on Consumer Reports’ Overall Score, starting with the highest-rated model. The 2026 Mazda CX-5’s score isn’t available yet because we haven’t completed testing it.