2026 CX-5 Trim Comparisons

What actually changed for 2026

Mazda doesn't redo the CX-5 often — this is the first ground-up redesign in about a decade — so it's worth being specific about what's different rather than waving at "all-new." The wheelbase and overall length both grow, and nearly every added inch goes into the second row and the cargo hold, which was the one thing owners of the outgoing car occasionally griped about on long trips. The dashboard drops most of its physical switchgear in favor of a 12.9-inch touchscreen (a 15.6-inch unit, the biggest Mazda has ever fit into a production vehicle, shows up only on the Premium Plus), and for the first time a Mazda comes with Google built-in out of the box — native Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Google Play, free for the first year through the Mazda Connected Services trial. The sheet metal follows Mazda's current KODO design language, which is a fancy way of saying it looks more like a Mazda than ever, and there's a genuinely new color for 2026: Navy Blue Mica.

What Mazda didn't touch is the part some shoppers assume must have changed: there's still exactly one powertrain, and AWD isn't an option box to check — it's simply part of the car. That keeps the trim ladder honest. You're not paying for a bigger engine as you climb it; you're paying for screen size, seat material, and convenience features.

One drivetrain, standard on every trim

Every 2026 CX-5 uses the SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder, rated at 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, run through a conventional six-speed automatic with i-Activ AWD standard across the board. There's no turbo at launch — the old car's 256-hp Turbo trims are gone from the 2026 lineup entirely — and no front-drive price leader either, which some third-party price-comparison sites still list from the outgoing generation. A Mazda hybrid CX-5 is coming, but not until the 2027 model year, so if an electrified compact Mazda SUV is what you're after today, Empire Mazda of Green Brook keeps the CX-50 Hybrid in stock, one of the dealership's most-requested current models. The EPA rates the gas CX-5 at 24 city, 30 highway, 26 combined on regular unleaded — no premium fuel requirement — and i-Activ AWD's whole design premise is proactive: it's constantly reading wheel load and throttle input to shift torque before a wheel actually slips, rather than reacting after the fact. Flip through Mi-Drive's Normal, Sport, and Off-road modes and the car adjusts throttle mapping and AWD bias accordingly.

Choose your 2026 CX-5

Safety equipment that no longer waits for the top trim

The part of this redesign that's easy to miss on a spec sheet: Mazda moved its entire i-Activsense driver-assist roster to standard equipment, on every trim, starting with the $29,990 base car. That means Rear Automatic Emergency Braking, Rear Cross Traffic Braking, Forward Turn-Across Traffic Braking, Emergency Lane Keeping, Blind Spot Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, and Mazda Radar Cruise Control with speed limit assist all come standard, not bundled into a $2,000 options package like on some competitors. For a car that's going to spend real time merging off the Route 22/I-287 interchange or waiting at the light where Route 22 crosses Route 28 in Green Brook, that's a meaningful amount of standard safety hardware regardless of which trim ends up in the driveway.

Empire Mazda of Green Brook

Empire Mazda of Green Brook sits on the Route 22 auto corridor in Green Brook Township, one stretch of dealerships that draws shoppers from Bridgewater, Watchung, Plainfield, Dunellen, and Bound Brook. The reviews run heavy on one theme: people expected a typical dealership visit and didn't get one. "Kelvin gave above and beyond service while helping me get my CX-5 and after the fact. He went out of his way to make sure I got the best service. He even surprised me with installing carplay for me," wrote Ari, a recent CX-5 buyer. Andre Q. had a similar experience leasing his: "We had a great experience at Mazda Green Brook leasing our new CX-5. Dealership team was courteous and willing to offer us a good deal. My special appreciation to Semir Terzic who was specially kind and super professional along the process." The dealership calls this "The [Empire Mazda of Green Brook] Difference" in its own marketing, and across 788 Google reviews at a 4.7-star average, that phrase shows up in the comments more often than you'd expect from a slogan.

Owning a CX-5 after the sale

Buying the thing is the fast part; the CX-5 service & repair guide covers what actually happens after — the maintenance rhythm, what Route 22 stop-and-go and central New Jersey winters do to a compact SUV over time, and the dealership's own library of Mazda troubleshooting guides. The pricing & leasing guide covers the number that matters more than the sticker: New Jersey's 6.625% sales tax, how Mazda's monthly incentive programs actually stack against MSRP, and lease-versus-buy math for a Route 22 commute.

Frequently asked questions

Is Mazda coming out with a 2026 CX-5?

Yes, and it's already arriving at Empire Mazda of Green Brook. This is the CX-5's first complete redesign in roughly a decade — a longer body, a substantially larger back seat and cargo hold, and the introduction of Google built-in to the Mazda lineup for the first time.

How much will the new 2026 Mazda CX-5 cost?

MSRPs run from $29,990 for the 2.5 S up to $38,990 for the 2.5 S Premium Plus, plus the $1,495 destination charge. New Jersey then adds its 6.625% sales tax on top; the pricing guide walks through the full math along with Empire Mazda of Green Brook's current new-vehicle specials.

Is the 2026 Mazda CX-5 a good car?

It keeps what buyers already liked about the CX-5 — tight steering, an upscale-feeling cabin for the price — while directly addressing the old car's biggest limitation, rear-seat and cargo space. Standard AWD and a fully standard safety suite on every trim make it a stronger all-arounder than the model it replaces; the honest trade-off is no turbo engine at launch and no hybrid until 2027.

Does the 2026 CX-5 have AWD?

Yes — i-Activ AWD is standard on all five trims, with no front-wheel-drive version offered. The system is proactive rather than reactive, which matters on the unplowed side streets off Route 22 after a surprise January storm.

Is there a hybrid version of the 2026 CX-5?

Not yet. Mazda has confirmed a hybrid CX-5, but it doesn't arrive until the 2027 model year. Buyers who want an electrified Mazda SUV now can look at the CX-50 Hybrid, which Empire Mazda of Green Brook stocks and features prominently in its current lineup.

What colors does the 2026 CX-5 come in?

Seven: Machine Gray Metallic, Rhodium White Premium, Soul Red Crystal Metallic, Polymetal Gray Metallic, Aero Gray Metallic, Jet Black Mica, and the new-for-2026 Navy Blue Mica.

Where can I test drive a 2026 CX-5 near Green Brook?

At Empire Mazda of Green Brook, 220 US-22 — the dealership serves the Route 22 corridor including Bridgewater, Watchung, Plainfield, and Bound Brook, with online tools to start pricing before you ever walk the lot.

Five trims, one Route 22 showroom

The individual trim guides below break down exactly where the money goes as you move up the ladder, but here's the short version: the redesign gave the least expensive CX-5 the same engine, the same AWD system, and the same safety hardware as the most expensive one. Everything past $29,990 is comfort, screen size, and materials. Sit in a 2.5 S and a Premium Plus back to back on the showroom floor and the decision usually sorts itself out inside ten minutes.