New Third-Gen Mazda CX-5 Revealed

Alas, after both a teaser and leak, the all-new third-gen Mazda CX-5 crossover has officially bowed.

Alas, Japanese automaker Mazda has finally taken the wraps off perhaps its most critical model nameplate yet. Say hello to the all-new third generation Mazda CX-5, which is set to enter production soon ahead of planned market release starting next year (2026).

The model was revealed officially online for the European market, and the automaker even released a lengthy product presentation on YouTube for which too – the latter is attached below after the jump.

In brief, the new third-gen CX-5 has not just grown in size, it has ‘matured’ in terms of style, practicality, and it also gained higher-end luxury and tech too. It effectively remains as a chunky SUV, which the Hiroshima-rooted automaker says is now "aimed squarely at young families."

In terms of footprint, the new CX-5 pictured sits 4,690 MM long with a new 115 MM stretched wheelbase figure of 2,815 MM, 1,860 MM wide and 1,695 MM tall. Overall, this is now a marginally longer (+114 MM) and wider (+13 MM) SUV than before too.

The growth spurt has been craftily masked by the arguably distinct and sleek new exterior design that builds on Mazda’s renowned Kodo Design ethos. The automaker also says the new styling gives “a much better stance”, and there a noticeable longer nose too.

Elsewhere, it’s evident the new exterior design is heavily driven by the marque’s Iconic SP Concept from 2023 too. A key touch from which in the new CX-5 are its angled arches that pushes the body shape towards the wheels to “make it look a lot more stable”, says the automaker.

The cabin is now roomier with increased shoulder, leg and headroom - especially for rear seat passengers.

That wheelbase stretch noted prior is critical as it brings forth an even roomier cabin with increased shoulder, leg and headroom, especially for passengers seated in the rear. Adding to which are the clever tweaks done to the cabin’s packaging.

The latter includes re-hinged rear doors with a wider opening aperture granting easier access to fit child car seats. There’s also a higher-lifting boot lid matched with a lowered loading lip, both granting easier loading and un-loading of larger, heavier items.

Speaking of the boot, overall volume here has grown too by 61 litres to a voluminous new total of 583 litres. For reference, this brings the new CX-5 fairly close – almost on-par – with other key C-SUV rivals like the Honda CR-V (579 litres) and Kia Sportage (587 litres).

Note the new Google-powered infotainment , which gets matched with a clean, new button-less interface in the dash.

Whilst on the cabin still, arguably biggest new change here is the adoption of new tech, namely the new 15.6-inch Google-powered infotainment touchscreen primed in higher-end variants – you’ll find a smaller 12.9-inch unit instead in lower-end guises.

The new tech also brings a new, button-less user interface in the dash. In short, Mazda has rid the cabin of physical controls for the air conditioning, and it also ditched the long-standing selection dial – changes that the automaker says were requested by owners.

Mazda also promised both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a new 10.25-inch digital instrument display.

Mazda is banking heavily on the new Google-powered infotainment mentioned, which brings lets users add customised widgets to its home screen, as well as project maps and other selected apps on the new 10.25-inch digital instrument display panel.

Critically, said infotainment also brings both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Additionally, Mazda says the infotainment can also run media apps such as Netflix and Amazon Prime when the new CX-5 is parked too.

It appears Mazda will retain is 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre 4-cyl petrol mills from the outgoing model for most markets. A new 'Skyactiv-Z' global hybrid powertrain choice will come at a later stage.

Under the hood, the new CX-5 for Europe adopts Mazda’s new and hybridised 2.5-litre e-Skyactiv G petrol mill – the same used in the European-spec Mazda 3 and CX-30. All-wheel-drive (AWD) remains as an option on top of the standard front-wheel-drive (FWD) affair.

Outside Europe, it appears that Mazda will retain the outgoing CX-5 model’s 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre petrol 4-cyl mills, with the 2.2-litre 4-cyl diesel option seemingly axed. The new ‘Skyactiv-Z’ global hybrid powertrain choice will instead come at a later stage.

Lastly, Mazda also noted tweaks done to the chassis, specifically the suspension and steering, promising lessened driver fatigue.

Powertrain aside, Mazda also touts that the chassis of the new third-gen CX-5 has been refined further. Specifically, tweaks were made to both the crossover SUV’s steering and suspension to reduce driver fatigue – especially on long drives.

For now, it’s too early to speculate when the new and improved third-gen Mazda CX-5 will arrive locally. However, like its current and now outgoing predecessor, we’re certain brand custodians Bermaz (BAuto) will push for local assembly (CKD) ahead of which.

Well, what do you folks think of the new third-gen iteration of Mazda’s best-selling crossover SUV nameplate? Hit the comments below – and our Facebook page – with you thoughts on it…