Bigger, Bolder, and Brimming with Tech
It’s hard to overstate the importance of the CX-5 to Mazda. Since it first arrived in 2012, it has been the vehicle that introduced countless Kiwis to the brand’s Kodo design language and SkyActiv technology. With over 33,000 sold in New Zealand and a staggering 4.5 million finding homes globally, calling it a success story is an understatement. Now, Mazda has pulled the covers off its crucial third-generation model, the all-new 2026 CX-5, and it looks like they’ve listened to customers and dialled everything up a notch.
Kodo Evolved: More Than Just a Facelift
At first glance, it’s unmistakably a CX-5, which is a smart move. Mazda has worked off the familiar silhouette but optimised the proportions to create a vehicle that looks more capable and stable on the road. The front end gets a more muscular treatment, with a wider-set, chiselled look featuring more angular lighting elements flanking the signature Mazda grille. Around the back, the angular light theme continues, but the biggest news is the departure of the traditional ‘flying M’ badge, replaced by bold “MAZDA” lettering across the tailgate for a more premium and modern statement.
These design tweaks aren’t just for show. The key takeaway is a longer wheelbase, which translates directly into a more spacious and practical vehicle than the outgoing model.
A Cabin Crafted for the Kiwi Family
Inside is where the benefits of the new platform really shine. Mazda has focused on creating a cabin that is calm, uncluttered, and functional, but most importantly, bigger. Rear-seat passengers are the big winners, with a noticeable increase in leg, knee, and headroom, allowing everyone to stretch out in greater comfort. For anyone who’s ever wrestled with a child’s car seat, the much larger door openings will be a godsend, a thoughtful touch that shows Mazda understands its audience.
This newfound space extends to the boot, with a larger and more useful cargo area enhancing the CX-5’s versatility for weekend trips and daily duties. All this is wrapped in the brand’s signature Japanese craftsmanship, with carefully selected materials and finishes creating a refined, harmonious atmosphere.
A Tech Leap Forward
Dominating the redesigned dashboard is a huge new 15.6-inch integrated touchscreen, the largest display ever offered in a Mazda. This new infotainment hub promises intuitive, smartphone-like operation, bringing the CX-5’s tech offering right up to date with its premium competitors.
Under the Bonnet: Proven Power and an Electrified Future
At launch, the 2026 CX-5 will come equipped with a familiar and reliable powertrain: the 2.5-litre SkyActiv-G four-cylinder engine, paired with a six-speed automatic and Mazda’s i-Activ All-Wheel Drive as standard. Mazda says this latest iteration has been recalibrated to offer both sharper response when you want to press on and a more relaxed character for cruising, which sounds like an ideal setup for New Zealand roads.
Perhaps the most exciting news, however, is what’s coming next. From the end of 2027, the CX-5 will debut a new hybrid powertrain for the Mazda family. The new SkyActiv-Z engine will feature the Mazda Hybrid System, promising a higher level of performance and fuel efficiency while maintaining the engaging drive Mazda is known for.
With a global launch kicking off from the end of 2025, the all-new CX-5 elevates a proven formula with more space, smarter tech, and the promise of an electrified future. It’s more capable, more engaging, and more desirable than ever, and we can’t wait to get behind the wheel.
