Mazda has officially taken the wraps off the third‑generation Mazda CX‑5, playing it safe with an evolutionary design which is instantly recognisable as the brand’s best seller in Australia. Due to arrive in Australia in the second half of 2026, It brings a fresh, modern look both inside and out, while retaining the familiar 2.5‑litre naturally aspirated four‑cylinder under the bonnet. In the process, it sheds 8 kW and 10 Nm and rather sadly, the punchy 170 kW/420 Nm turbo‑petrol variant has been dropped worldwide.
Mazda has also confirmed Australia will finally get a hybrid CX‑5, pairing its forthcoming Skyactiv‑Z engine with an in‑house hybrid system. While local timing is yet to be set, North America is slated for a 2027 debut.
At 4,690 mm long, 1,860 mm wide and 1,695 mm tall, the new CX‑5 is 115 mm longer and 15 mm wider than its predecessor, riding on a wheelbase stretched by 115 mm to 2,815 mm. The overall silhouette remains unmistakably CX‑5, but sharper front and rear detailing give it a wider, more chiselled stance. Up front, slim headlights flank a crest‑shaped grille; at the rear, angular tail‑lights tie it visually to Mazda’s new CX‑70 and CX‑90.
Practical tweaks include larger door openings for easier ingress, more rear-seat legroom, and a cargo area that’s nearly 50 mm deeper with an 18 mm lower load floor.
The cabin marks a bigger departure than the exterior. A 15.6‑inch landscape infotainment screen—the largest Mazda has ever fitted—replaces the outgoing car’s 10.25‑inch unit, migrating most climate controls into the touchscreen “toolbar” (physical demister switches remain). A fully digital instrument cluster replaces analogue dials, and the steering wheel now sports a Mazda wordmark instead of the “M” logo. Ambient lighting is offered, with tan or two‑tone grey/black trim choices, and a panoramic sunroof takes over from the old single‑pane design. Beyond the gear shifter and start button, carry‑over elements are limited.
Ahead of the launch, Mazda Australia assures strong supply of the current CX‑5. Since its 2012 debut, the model has sold over 316,000 units locally and more than 4.5 million globally across 100+ markets. It was Australia’s top‑selling SUV from 2013–2019 and peaked at 27,062 sales in 2022. Even after being overtaken by the Toyota RAV4, it has remained a top‑three mid‑sized SUV here for 13 years—remarkable given it’s never offered a hybrid locally until now.
The new CX‑5 will go head-to-head with the next‑generation RAV4 (due next year), a refreshed Subaru Forester, and the updated Mitsubishi Outlander, while also slotting alongside Mazda’s larger CX‑60, which this year adds a base Pure trim with the same 2.5‑litre engine at a sub‑$50,240 RRP. By comparison, the outgoing CX‑5 range starts at $36,740 for the front‑wheel‑drive 2.0‑litre G20 Maxx and tops out at $55,150 for the turbocharged AWD G35 Akera.
Stay tuned to DiscoverAuto as we learn more about the new CX-5 in the coming months.
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