The Mazda CX-5 has long been celebrated for having one of the best, most premium interiors in the family SUV class. But for this brand new model, Mazda has taken a massive risk: it’s completely removed the rotary infotainment controller and the physical air-con controls!
Have these controversial changes, along with a dip in interior material quality, ruined the brand’s best-selling car? In this comprehensive review, we test the new Mazda CX-5 to find out if the bigger 583-litre boot and excellent driving dynamics are enough to save it.
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In this video, we take a detailed look around the 2026 Mazda CX-5 to see how much it’s grown and the impact on rear legroom. Up front, we test the new 15.6-inch Google-based touchscreen, the new digital driver display and decide if there are too many hard and scratchy plastics in the interior.
Finally, we take the 2.5-litre e-Skyactiv G petrol version of the new CX-5 out on the road to see if 139bhp is enough power for a family SUV of this size.
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Video chapters:
0:00 – Intro: Mazda’s Bestseller!
0:54 – Exterior Design & Bigger Dimensions
1:27 – Boot Space
2:13 – Rear Seats
3:10 – Controversial Interior Changes
4:00 – New Google Infotainment
5:01 – Driving Position & Visibility
5:59 – Quality Downgrade: Scratchy plastics?
6:43 – The Engine: The 2.5-litre Petrol & Optional 4WD
7:23 – Handling, Ride Comfort & Performance
9:10 – Trim Levels: Prime-Line to Homura
9:52 – Pricing, Warranty & Reliability
10:38 – Euro NCAP Rating & Safety
11:02 – Verdict: Should you buy the new CX-5?
Mazda has officially ditched the rotary infotainment controller and physical air-con controls in favour of a massive touchscreen! 🖥
What do you think of the change?
a) It’s a huge mistake! I hate using touchscreens while driving 😡
b) It’s about time! I actually prefer touchscreens ⏱
b) I don't care, as long as it drives well and is spacious inside! 🚗
Let us know your thoughts below! 👇
we do NOT want iPads in front of the driver!
Jesus. I'm stunned. The physical infotainment system was absolutely genius in design. I'm driving a Mazda 3 right now and starting to get the itch for an upgrade, but no way will I switch to this. I can't live without my dial and buttons. It's such a nice driver-car interface. Particularly as I get older and my eye hand coordination gets worse, I have no desire to fumble around with a touchscreen while I steer the vehicle into a ditch.
I predict this car won't sell as good as the last one…the reason the last one sold well was because it had real buttons and didn't rely totally on a screen which is difficult to use on the move especially if you are older and short sighted…I struggle to read the icons without wearing my reading specs, so a definite NO for me.
At least they left the motor as normally aspirated…no turbos etc…I don't care if it doesn't have as much power as rival cars…it will be less expensive to maintain and service as the car gets older.
Simple is better in my view and Mazda have ruined this latest model.
Its toyota's fault.
Dull car which has no USP and an equally dull piece. Had the emotional intensity of an HR presentation…
I like it😊
putting everything on screen was a terrible decision.
My issues with my current 2.0 cx 5 is non of the things they changed. That digital dash with no dials, together with the lack of buttons, big no no.
Need to point out that according to Mazda here in Australia the new CX5 produces 132KW which is down from 140KW in the Gen 2 I own. If it only produces 139HP you could walk faster.😁
Mazda are simply not listening to their customers
6:43 140kw of power is 188hp where did you get 139hp from? you moron.
Where was this filmed? what country?
Welp, I wanted to stick with Mazda for life. The removal of physical buttons is going to change my decision.
Boring design
Short answer…YES!!!
Long answer….YES!!!
They removed the VERY THING that made them stand out!!! Not to mention they are "late to the party"….others realized their mistake and are going back to physical controls, and Mazda NOW decided to go all in on screens….WTF?
I have a 2025 petrol cx5 on pcp. Really don't think I will be trading in for the new version.
l liked the old model better.. this one looks ugly
I'm good. Gonna keep my current 2024 CX-5 for ever.
F**k giant touchscreens.
We want buttons. Mazda has made a mistake and appears to be late to understand the change back to buttons
Depends on whether they have fixed the problem that the things rust out in under ten years.
The crappy touchscreen nonsense is a cheap cost saving measure and is going in the wrong direction. People buy what is available and not what they would really like, so it won't stop them selling.
They really messed it up by removing the physical rotary control and aircon buttons. Besides that I have no issue with it.