Mazda Bets Big on Touchscreens and Tech in Radical 2026 CX-5 Overhaul

Mazda has finally done the unthinkable: it killed the commander knob. For the third-generation 2026 CX-5, revealed today, the automaker is abandoning its long-held philosophy that tactile controls are safer than touchscreens. Instead, it’s going all-in on a massive digital overhaul, moving the brand’s best-selling crossover upmarket with a controversial new interior strategy and confirmed plans for a hybrid powertrain.

Scheduled to arrive in showrooms in early 2026, this isn't a cautious evolution of the 1.6 million units sold in the U.S. since 2012. It’s a hard pivot. Mazda is trading its conservative, driver-focused analog roots for a future defined by Google integration and screen real estate, aiming to reposition the CX-5 as a tech-heavy premium contender.

Goodbye Knob, Hello Glass

Step inside the 2026 model, and the shift in philosophy is jarring. Gone is the tactile rotary dial that allowed drivers to navigate menus without looking down—a feature Mazda fiercely defended for a decade. In its place sits the largest display the company has ever fitted to a car: an available 15.6-inch touchscreen. Even base models won't skimp, featuring a standard 12.9-inch unit.

This hardware supports a software ecosystem built entirely on Google. Native integration includes Google Maps and the Play Store, but the headline feature is the inclusion of Google Gemini AI. While Mazda North American Operations positions this as a leap forward for voice-activated control, details on the AI’s practical utility remain thin. It’s unclear if Gemini will simply be a smarter voice assistant for changing climate settings or if it offers deeper, conversational vehicle management.

What is clear is that the dashboard layout has changed fundamentally. Both the central screen and the standard 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster are anchored to the lower-left corner to keep them within easy reach, a necessity now that touch is the primary input method. To mitigate the loss of physical buttons, Mazda has added capacitive switches to the steering wheel—another industry trend that has received mixed reviews in competitor vehicles—hoping to keep hands on the wheel even if eyes are drawn to the screen.

Stretching Out: A Larger Footprint

Exterior changes are equally pronounced. Borrowing the upright, aggressive nose of the CX-70 and CX-90, the new CX-5 sheds the softer curves of the previous generation for a squarer, more substantial look.

Critically, it’s physically bigger. The 2026 model stretches 185 inches (4.69 meters) in length, adding roughly 5 inches over its predecessor. While parking might get slightly tighter, passengers win out: the longer wheelbase yields six centimeters (about 2.4 inches) of extra rear legroom. Cargo capacity sees a bump as well, directly addressing one of the few complaints leveled against the outgoing model in the compact SUV segment.

Engineers have attempted to balance this size increase with ride comfort. The suspension setup now uses softer springs and frequency-selective dampers, a combination intended to smooth out road imperfections. Combined with additional sound deadening, the goal is a hushed cabin that matches the premium aspirations of the new tech suite.

Powertrain: Sticking with Gas, Waiting for Hybrid

Launch capability relies on a known quantity. The 2026 CX-5 debuts with a recalibrated 2.5-liter SkyActiv-G four-cylinder engine, putting out 187 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque. It pairs with a refined 8-speed automatic transmission rather than a CVT, preserving some of the driving engagement Mazda is known for. As expected, i-ACTIV All-Wheel Drive comes standard.

Those hoping for immediate electrification will have to wait. Mazda confirmed a hybrid variant is in the pipeline, but it won't arrive until 2027. That future model will utilize the new SKYACTIV-Z architecture, which the company claims will boost efficiency without dulling performance, though specific fuel economy targets remain under wraps.

Safety and Availability

The updated i-Activsense suite brings the expected array of modern safety nets. Standard equipment includes Blind Spot Monitoring, Forward Collision Warning with Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.

Sales begin in early 2026. While pricing is still TBD, the shift to larger standard screens, standard AWD, and a physically larger chassis virtually guarantees a higher entry price. Whether loyalists will embrace the loss of physical controls in exchange for a tablet-like dashboard remains the biggest question hanging over this redesign.