I Wanted to Love the 2026 Mazda CX-5… But There’s a Problem

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 is all-new, roomier, more tech-heavy, and still one of Mazda’s most important vehicles. But after spending a full week with this 2026 Mazda CX-5 2.5 S Premium Plus AWD in Soul Red Crystal, we found a few big compromises that buyers need to know about. Mazda absolutely nailed the exterior design, improved rear seat space, added more cargo room, and gave the CX-5 a much more modern interior with a massive 15.6-inch center display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a digital driver display, improved 360 cameras, and a more premium overall feel. But the move away from physical controls is not perfect, and the only available engine for 2026 leaves us wanting more. Under the hood, this CX-5 uses a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter SKYACTIV-G 4-cylinder making 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and standard i-ACTIV all-wheel drive. It is comfortable, quiet, practical, and efficient, but is it too slow for 2026? Huge thanks to Screen Protech for sponsoring this video. Protect your vehicle’s screens here: https://screenprotech.com/discount/TTY3184GKLGT 0:00 Intro 1:08 Weeklong test setup 1:27 What Mazda Got Right 2:29 Exterior Critique 2:57 More Positives 4:00 Rear Cargo 5:54 Interior Thoughts 16:58 Rear seat and family usability 19:19 Engine and powertrain 20:18 0-60 testing 21:06 Driving impressions 29:27 Final thoughts 2026 Mazda CX-5 2.5 S Premium Plus AWD Specs: * 2.5L Skyactiv®-G Inline 4-cylinder Engine * 187 Horsepower * 186 lb-ft of Torque * 6-Speed Automatic Transmission * i-Activ AWD® * Mazda Intelligent Drive Select with 3 Modes: * Normal * Sport * Off-Road * 4-wheel Independent Suspension * Front Suspension: MacPherson Strut with Stabilizer Bar * Rear Suspension: Multi-link with Stabilizer Bar * 19-inch Alloy Wheels with Black Metallic Finish * 225/55R19 Toyo Open Country H/T All-Season Tires * Temporary Spare Tire * Leather-Trimmed Seats * Seating for 5 * 10-Way Power Driver's Seat with Memory * Power Front Passenger Seat * Heated and Ventilated Front Seats * Heated, Manual Tilt/Telescoping Leather-wrapped Steering Wheel * 40/20/40 Split-Folding Rear Seats * Heated Outboard Rear Seats * 10.25-inch Full Digital LCD Meter * 15.6-inch Color Center Display * Wireless Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ * Active Driving Display * 12-speaker Bose® AM/FM/HD Radio * Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems: * Front & Rear Smart Brake Support * Lane Keep Assist & Lane Departure Warning System * Driver Monitoring * Front & Rear Parking Sensors * Blind Spot Monitoring * Rear Cross Traffic Alert * Mazda Radar Cruise Control * 360° View Monitor * Cruising and Traffic Support with Lane Change Assist * Rear Smart Brake Support * Blind Spot Assist * 33.7 Cubic Feet of Storage Behind the Rear Seats * 66.5 Cubic Feet of Storage with the Second Row Folded Flat * Qi Wireless Charger * Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control * Power Panoramic Moonroof * Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry * Hands-Free Power Rear Liftgate * EPA Fuel Economy 24/30/26 (city/hwy/cmb) * Regular Unleaded Fuel with a 15.3 Gallon Tank * Warranty: * 5-year/60,000-mile Limited Powertrain Warranty * 3-year/36,000-mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty * 3-year/36,000-mile Roadside Assistance * 1-year Mazda Connected Services Trial * Exterior Color: Soul Red Crystal Metallic * Interior Color: Black * Starting Price: $29,990 (2.5 S AWD) * Price As Tested: $41,080 (Includes Destination) Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7PlOq-ao8q-lqI4fuEIZsw/join Find out more about GT: Garage Talk at https://www.GTGarageTalk.com/ Buy GT: Garage Talk merch: https://teespring.com/stores/gtgaragetalk Shop some of our favorite gear: https://www.gtgaragetalk.com/gear Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GTGarageTalk Get Social with Us https://www.facebook.com/GTGarageTalk https://www.instagram.com/GTGarageTalk https://www.tiktok.com/@gtgaragetalk https://www.twitter.com/GTGarageTalk Listen to our Podcast: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/garage-talk/id1500044742 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Xeeut8rdQNNiDrrnQWOy4 Google: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8xM2M0NmViNC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw== Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/all-episodes/garage-talk/PC:57663 Web: https://www.gtgaragetalk.com/podcast #GTGarageTalk #MazdaCX5 #FamilySUV #CompactSUV #TXAutoWriters