Name: Mazda CX-5 (2026 onwards) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Mazda CX-5
Rating: 69.0

Mazda CX-5 (2026 – present) | Expert Rating

Summary

The Mazda CX-5 is a medium-sized SUV/crossover, with this third-generation model launched in Spring 2026. Now on sale in the UK, this new iteration of he CX-5 has some big shoes to fill, as its predecessor was Mazda’s best-selling car the world over.

Due to that sales success, Mazda has kept the design of this latest CX-5 broadly similar to the outgoing version, Car’s Keith Adams commenting that the Mazda is “still delivers many of the qualities that made it popular in the first place”, explaining that the SUV is “spacious, comfortable and more engaging to drive than most family SUVs.”

Autotrader’s Catherine Kent concludes that the CX-5 is “roomy, stylish and well-equipped”, but also a “car of contradictions”, pointing to that fact that Mazda has stuck to tradition with its choice of a large petrol engine – which is “unfathomably underpowered” – while also following the caving to the industry trend of swapping physical infotainment controls for a touchscreen.

Besides rather consistent complaints about the petrol engine’s adequate but often strained performance, Mazda’s decision to remove the CX-5’s infotainment rotary controller has been broadly unpopular with reviewers. Ellis Hyde of Auto Express adds that the car’s “interior quality is disappointing” and “the tech onboard already feels dated” – criticisms not usually attributed to a new Mazda.

As of July 2026, the Mazda CX-5 holds a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 69%. While the car’s set of review scores are below average, this overall rating is bolstered by the car’s strong Euro NCAP safety credentials and its six-year warranty.

CX-5 highlights

Handsome exterior styling
More spacious than the outgoing model
Comfortable and well-equipped as standard

CX-5 lowlights

Underpowered petrol mild-hybrid engine
Interior fit and finish feels cheap in places
Over-reliance on touchscreens

Key specifications

Body style: Medium-sized SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol with mild-hybrid assistance
Price: From £31,550

Launched: Spring 2026
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Featured reviews

“The Mazda CX-5 still has a lot of qualities that made it popular to begin with. It’s comfortable, engaging to drive through corners and is spacious. But in many ways, it feels like a step backwards from the previous model, rather than an improvement.”

Model reviewed: Range overview

Score: 5.6 / 10

Read full review

The Car Expert

Matthew MacConnell

“The Mazda CX-5 is a good car if you’re a keen driver and want lots of space in the boot and back seats. But the engine is gutless and thirsty, and the interior isn’t as easy to use as the best alternatives – even other Mazda models.”

Model reviewed: Range overview

Score: 7 / 10

Read full review

Carwow

Tom Wiltshire

More reviews

Auto Express

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“It’s a clear evolution of its predecessor, and it offers more space for passengers and luggage, while the amount of standard equipment and tech on board has risen to compete with the class best. However, the latter is arguably harder to get along with now that Mazda has removed most of the physical buttons in the cabin.”
Author: Shane Wilkinson
Read review

Auto Trader

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The new Mazda CX-5 is roomy, stylish and well-equipped, yet it also is a car of contradictions. On the one hand it sticks to Mazda’s defiant principles of a large (and unfathomably underpowered) petrol engine, while on the other it has followed the crowd by swapping buttons for a touch-screen. The result might be a compromise too far for Mazda fans and, while those looking for a practical family car will appreciate the space, the CX-5 doesn’t keep up with the competition.”
Author: Catherine Kent
Read review

Car

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The CX-5 still delivers many of the qualities that made it popular in the first place. It is spacious, comfortable and more engaging to drive than most family SUVs. Yet the CX-5 also feels like a car playing things far too safe.”
Author: Keith Adams
Read review

Parkers

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.4 / 10
“Weak acceleration and the loss of Mazda’s excellent rotary infotainment controller mean it no longer feels quite as clever as it once did. That does not make the CX-5 a bad choice, but buyers should shop around before committing.”
Author: Keith Adams
Read review

Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 5 / 10
“Mazda might tell you that this is an all-new CX-5, but it’s very much evolution rather than revolution for the Mk3. 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.”
Author: Peter Rawlins
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: December 2025
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 90%
Child protection: 89%
Vulnerable road users: 93%
Safety assist: 83%

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of July 2026, the Mazda CX-5 has not been assessed by Green NCAP.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score
Petrol models	39 mpg	D

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	163 g/km	D

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	19	A

The Mazda CX-5 is a relatively affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

While the SUV is thirstier than the average car, with an average fuel consumption of 39mpg, the car’s predicted insurance premiums are on the cheaper side of average.

Warranty rating

New car warranty information for the Mazda CX-5

Overall ratingB62%
New car warranty duration6 years
New car warranty mileage100,000 miles
Battery warranty duration0 years
Battery warranty mileage0 miles

Mazda’s new car warranty is better than average, and better/worse than rival brands in a similar price bracket as the CX-5.

The duration is six years, with a limit of 100,000 miles.

Warranty on a used Mazda CX-5

If you are buying an ‘Approved Used’ Mazda CX-5 from an official Mazda dealership, you will get a minimum one-year warranty included.
If you are buying a used Mazda CX-5 from an independent dealership, any warranty offered will vary and will probably be managed by a third-party warranty company.
If you are buying a used Mazda CX-5 from a private seller, there are no warranty protections beyond any remaining portion of the original new car warranty.

If you’re looking to buy any used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.

Recalls

Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Mazda CX-5

As of April 2026, we are not aware of any DVSA vehicle safety recalls affecting the Mazda CX-5. However, recall information is updated regularly, so this may have changed.

You can check to see if your car has any outstanding recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Mazda dealer.