Mazda CX-5 review

Why, it’s the all-new, third-generation Mazda CX-5 of course. This mid-size SUV is a big deal for the Japanese carmaker – to date Mazda has sold over five million of them (only its third model to hit that milestone, after the 323 and 3), and in 2025 it was its biggest seller, both globally and in the UK.

So chances are several CX-5s have passed you by in the street without you realising. This is the thing with Mazda – you know the name, you recognise the badge, but because it goes about its business so quietly, it’s rarely the first brand you think of when buying a new car.

What's new about this CX-5 then?

Not a whole lot, actually. But that’s intentional, so as not to put off any repeat custom from previous buyers. And there are a lot of them.

It wears the next evolution of Mazda’s ‘Kodo’ design language, looking slightly more chiselled than before, and in the metal it’s a rather smart looking thing. Certainly a better proposition than some of the other identikit mid-size SUVs on the market.

But it’s what’s underneath that really matters here, because the petrols and diesels of old have been replaced with a 2.5-litre mild hybrid. Total output is 139bhp and 176lb ft, and it comes in front-wheel or all-wheel drive, with 0-62mph seen off in 10.5s and 10.9s respectively.

The other big news is it’s now available with an automatic gearbox only – more popular nowadays, so we’re told.

Makes speccing it easier...

Yep. Mazda has long favoured natural aspiration in favour of turbocharging, with the e-Skyactiv G engine here – the same as that seen in the 3 hatchback and CX-30 crossover – no exception.

Mazda says it’s more responsive at low- and mid-range engine speeds compared to the old unit, but it’s still sluggish, noisy and needs to be worked quite hard to make any sort of progress.

We are told that a full hybrid (i.e. one that'll briefly drive on e-power only) will arrive at some point in the future, but we don’t know when yet. Based on our experience here… it’s likely worth waiting for. 

Hmm. Any updates to the cabin?

The CX-5 car has grown compared to its predecessor – with an increased wheelbase leading to more head and legroom for rear passengers. Oh, and a bigger boot too. All good news from where we’re sitting.

What’s not quite so good news is that Mazda's lobbed much of the switchgear in the bin, in favour of a new 10.25in driver’s display and a 12.9in or 15.6in central screen (spec dependent). It does at least get Google built in – maps, voice control and suchlike – but gone is the dedicated climate control panel, and the rotary dial. Sniff.

It looks quite fancy, but it can be quite slow and it's undoubtedly more fiddly. The cabin itself is similarly all very lovely to look at, but dig a little deeper and material quality is lacking in places.

How much does it cost?

Dunno. Not because we’re being lazy and haven’t looked it up, but because Mazda hasn’t released UK pricing yet. Though we’re told the starting price is “cheaper” than the outgoing car, which starts around £31.5k. Full list prices are due out in April.

That puts it in the same ballpark as rivals including the Citroen C5 Aircross, Ford Kuga, Peugeot 3008, Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, Nissan Qashqai, Renault Symbioz, Skoda Karoq… and all those other mid-size SUVs arriving in droves from China.

Mazda might tell you that this is an all-new CX-5, but it’s very much evolution rather than revolution for the Mk3. That’s a deliberate move – Mazda knows that many of its customers will be coming back for seconds, and doesn’t want to put them off their supper.

And sure, while we can see the logic behind the retuned dynamics and softer ride, the previous generation was a better steer, the mild hybrid engine is hugely underwhelming, and the screen-heavy cabin feels like a misstep.

That makes it a hard sell in what is a very congested section of the market, even with the prospect of more space inside. To any existing CX-5 owners wondering whether to upgrade, we’d suggest sticking with what you’ve got – at least until the new, full hybrid powertrain enters the chat.