2026 Mazda CX-5 SP AWD Review

The Mazda CX-5 enters a new generation and is faced with tackling the onslaught of new nameplates that now exist in the medium SUV segment. Is it up to the task?

While it’s never topped the sales chart in New Zealand, the Mazda CX-5 is still a household name. Since its introduction back in 2012, it has gone toe-to-toe with the mid-size SUV heavyweights such as the Toyota RAV4 and Kia Sportage. 

For 2026, an all-new CX-5 has been released and it has just landed locally. It comes at a time where Mazda finds itself at somewhat of a crossroads in terms of its product portfolio. While the majority of the local line-up is either petrol or hybrid-powered, the new 6e and CX-6e bring with them mainstream electric power. Both of these feel like a more intentional electric effort than the previous MX-30, which was a rather unique offering. These new EVs arrive as part of a partnership with China’s Changan Automobile, resulting in shared electric underpinnings.  

A Familiar Affair

So while one end of Mazda’s line-up is exploring electric mobility, the rest of it is planted firmly in its comfort zone, which is where the new CX-5 finds itself. 

While it might look like a mild facelift of the previous model, this is in fact a ground-up rework by Mazda. It’s clear the designers didn’t want to stray from what was working with the CX-5, so we’re left with a continuation of the familiar Kodo styling.

At 4.7-metres long, it’s around the same size as the last model, though the wheelbase has grown by 115mm, pushing that to 2.8-metres. You’d have to be a mid-size SUV expert to spot this, but it’s noticeable once inside. 

As for the powertrain, CX-5 arrives in New Zealand without any electrification assistance, which is somewhat of an anomaly now in this segment. Instead, Mazda has opted for a naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. With its Skyactiv-G technology, this engine produces 132kW and 242Nm, which is sent to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.  

The CX-5 range consists of four variants, which all use the aforementioned powertrain. The line-up starts with the CX-5 Touring at $46,490, then there’s the CX-5 SP at $49,990. The next variant is the CX-5 Homura at $57,990, and the range-topping CX-5 Takami costs $61,990.  

The Sweet SPot?

At below $50,000, the CX-5 SP looks to be the best value-based offering, and Mazda New Zealand predicts it being the volume seller. It is also the variant that we tested. 

Standard equipment includes 19-inch alloy wheels, black roof rails, and an electric tailgate. It misses out on the adaptive LED headlights that the high-spec models get.

Inside, buyers have the choice between a black synthetic leather interior, or a two-tone black and white option. Ours featured the latter, and while it makes for a striking interior, we can imagine it wouldn’t take much to dirty the nice white panelling.

As for technology, there’s a 12.9-inch infotainment screen in the centre of the dash. This system features wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity, and is paired with an eight-speaker sound system. The driver gets a 10-inch digital cluster, and a head-up display. Front row seat heaters are standard on the SP, and the driver also gets power adjustment. A heated leather steering wheel, and a wireless phone charger round out the creature comforts.  

While the exterior of this CX-5 plays it safe, we feel like the interior has been heavily revised to keep up with industry standards. This means Mazda has done away with its signature rotary dial controller for the infotainment system. Instead, the centre console is quite minimalistic, with just a pair of cup holders and the gear selector.

Mazda has also eradicated most of the other buttons in the cabin, with just the steering wheel offering any sort of tactile controls. Though these are real buttons, they function in the same way that haptic panels do, while also offering a swipe function. The fact that the climate controls can only be accessed through the infotainment screen is a little tedious at first, but they are locked to the bottom of the display, so don’t take too long to get used to it.

We’d say the biggest victim of this button cull is the passenger, as they can’t control the audio volume anymore.

Features aside, the overall build quality of the cabin is impressive, and feels a touch above its Japanese and Korean-built rivals. There’s also plenty of space on offer, and as an almost six-footer, I had no trouble with leg or head room in either row. The wheelbase extension means there’s an impressive amount of foot room behind the front seats.

At the rear, the new CX-5 offers 466 litres of space with the rear seats in place, and 1902 litres when these are folded. Beneath the boot floor is a space-saver spare, which is quite a rarity among its peers. It’s also rated to tow up to 1.8 tonnes.  

A Comforting Drive

On the road, the CX-5 drives with a sense of nostalgia that comes with a naturally aspirated engine paired with a torque converter automatic. Where most of its rivals are either turbocharged, hybridised, or feature a CVT, the CX-5 feels like an outlier, and we like it.  

The outputs of the petrol engine are modest with Mazda quoting a 0-100km/h time of around ten seconds. While this is slower than a lot of its rivals, it doesn’t need to be quick to fulfill its duties.

We also appreciate how Mazda has opted for 19-inch wheels, which retain a decent chunk of tyre sidewall. This, paired with the suspension system offers an impressive ride over New Zealand’s varied asphalt.  

As for fuel economy, Mazda claims a combined figure of 7.9L/100km. During our time with the CX-5, we saw it drop as low as 7.5L/100km during longer drives, and saw it rise to 8.8L/100km in urban environments.

It also features Mazda’s full suite of advanced safety systems, which are reasonably well tuned for our conditions. While we didn’t run into any issues with the adaptive cruise control with lane-keep assist, we noticed that the automatic emergency braking system is quite conservative, and it will issue an alert about parked cars when driving on a narrow road. This CX-5 achieved a five-star ANCAP rating when it was tested in late 2025.  

A Worthy Competitor?

This CX-5 lands at a time when Mazda needs to put its best foot forward in order to hold off the onslaught of Chinese newcomers in the mid-size SUV segment. Almost all of its rivals from that part of the world are cheaper, and for the most part, they reflect this in quality.

Mazda has managed to retain its reputation for a premium touch with this CX-5 SP, and we feel it’s priced competitively at $49,990. While it might not hit the top spot on the sales charts, it will be in the mix of the best sellers, and rightly so.  

Mazda CX-5 SP

$49,990  /  7.9L/100km  /  179g/km
0-100 km/h 9.8s
Engine  2488cc / IL4 / DI
Max power  132kW@6000rpm
Max torque  242Nm@4000rpm
Drivetrain 6-speed auto / AWD
Front suspension Mac strut / swaybar
Rear suspension Multilink / swaybar
Turning circle 11.2m 
Front brakes  Ventilated discs (328mm)
Rear brakes  Discs (325mm)
Stability systems  ABS, ESP
Safety  AEB, ACC, BSM, LDW, RCTA, ALK, AHB
Tyre size  f/r-225/55R19
Wheelbase  2815mm
L/W/H  4690 / 1860 / 1695mm
Trackf-1605mm  r-1625mm
Fuel capacity  58L
Luggage capacity  466L
Tow rating  750kg (1800kg braked)
Service intervals  12 months / 15,000km
Scheduled servicing  5yrs / 100,000km
Warranty  5yrs / unlimited km
ANCAP rating  ★★★★★ (2025)
Weight (claimed)  1716kg