The 2026 Mazda CX-5 put to the test: how does this SUV, which prioritises driving comfort, perform?

It is when you step inside the cabin that the CX-5 Homura really impresses. The interior is beautifully finished and conveys a sense of quality that is not solely down to the screens.

What really catches the eye are the beige leather upholstery panels, which bring a sense of brightness to the interior and create a lovely contrast with the darker finishes on the dashboard. It’s an elegant yet not cold design. And, above all, it’s practical.

Mazda has opted to retain physical controls for this model – a decision that is open to debate, but one that comes at a time when many manufacturers are relying almost entirely on touchscreens. Whilst driving, therefore, if you need to turn up the air conditioning – even for just a few seconds – you have to take your eyes off the road and find the relevant setting on the large 15.4-inch display. Fortunately, to overcome this ‘problem’, the software chosen by Mazda incorporates Gemini’s artificial intelligence, which understands natural voice commands without the need for rigid or cumbersome phrases. You speak and you’re understood – full stop. Google’s technology also brings with it precise ‘Maps’ navigation and the convenience of downloading or updating a whole host of apps directly over the air, without lifting a finger. There’s, of course, compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but even if you don’t want to connect your smartphone, there’s still everything you need for a pleasant, hassle-free journey. The driving position is natural and the seats offer good support. The overall feeling is that of being in a car built to carry passengers for many hours, rather than to impress them with showy features. And to ensure nothing is missing, the Harmonic Acoustic audio system is also worth a mention; it recently won the EISA 2025–2026 award for best in-car audio system. The innovation lies in the positioning of the woofers, which have been moved into the wheel arches to eliminate vibrations from the doors.

Mazda CX-5: how it drives

Despite its size, the CX-5 is not particularly difficult to handle in city traffic. The steering is precise and the car responds predictably to the driver’s inputs.

The situation changes slightly when reversing. The rather chunky rear pillars restrict visibility and make it harder to immediately gauge what is happening behind the car. In such situations, cameras and sensors become virtually indispensable. It isn’t a serious flaw, but it is one of those aspects you notice after a few days of daily use.

Outside the city, the CX-5’s handling remains consistent with what we saw over the first few kilometres. It is a comfortable, stable and pleasant car to drive when maintaining a steady pace. However, if you need to overtake quickly, the 141 CV have to contend with the car’s considerable weight.

When you press the accelerator all the way down, the response isn’t immediate. The engine revs up and becomes more noticeable, whilst the acceleration remains more gradual than one might expect from an SUV of this size.

This is where the CX-5’s philosophy becomes clear: it is not intended to be a sports car disguised as an SUV. Instead, it prefers to accompany the driver at a leisurely pace, whilst maintaining predictable and comfortable handling.

Its true strength lies in medium to long journeys. On the motorway, the CX-5 proves to be a good long-distance cruiser, with a relaxed ride and seats that allow you to spend several hours behind the wheel without feeling particularly tired. As for fuel consumption, we’re a little way off the 7 l/100 km mark: at the end of the test drive, which included city streets, ring roads and motorways, the on-board computer indicated that 8.1 litres were required to cover 100 km, which equates to approximately 13 km per litre.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 is particularly impressive for its balance. It doesn’t excel in terms of raw performance, and the 141 CV engine can show its limitations when you demand a sharp response, whilst the automatic gearbox isn’t particularly well-suited to aggressive driving. But that isn’t what it’s designed for.

Its real strength lies elsewhere: comfort, perceived quality and the pleasure of travelling. The well-finished interior, the beige leather seats, the driving position and the handling make it a compelling choice, particularly for those who spend a lot of time behind the wheel.

There are a few minor flaws, ranging from less-than-ideal rear visibility to the engine and gearbox’s rather lacklustre response. These are compromises that must be taken into account, but they do not alter the essence of the design. In short, the Mazda CX-5 isn’t trying to be the fastest in its class. It aims to get you to your destination in comfort, feeling relaxed and confident that you’ve chosen a car built to a high standard. However, you’ll need to budget for a considerable outlay: 47,950 for the exact model used in our test drive, in Soul Red Crystal metallic paintwork and complete with an optional panoramic roof.