Skip to content
GizmoDriver

Is the 2026 Mazda CX-5 a good car?

Yes.

6 of 7checks

Pick another car

20 miles one way, 5 days a week. Gas $3.20. Power 17 cents per kWh.

CX-5 +1%-49%+150%Price vs predicted
Price vs predicted, 154 SUVs (2026). Orange: this car.
Checks for the 2026 Mazda CX-5
CheckResultNumber
Family carYes4 of 4 parts
First carYes5 of 5 parts
CommuterYes$107 vs $111 a month
SeniorsYes2 of 3 parts
Off-roadYes8.2 in, top 47%
Worth the moneyYes1% above predicted
Good buyNo1 beat it on all four

Is the CX-5 a good family car?

Yes. Passes 4 of 4 parts.

Family car check, 2026 Mazda CX-5
MeasureThis carClassCarsPass
Seats5 seats5 or moreN/AYes
Rear legroom39.9 inMedian 38.5 in167Yes
Rear headroom40.2 inMedian 38.7 in168Yes
Cargo behind the last row33.7 cu ftMedian 25.2 cu ft176Yes

Is the CX-5 a good first car?

Yes. Passes 5 of 5 parts.

First car check, 2026 Mazda CX-5
MeasureThis carClassCarsPass
Price$29,990Median $47,693176Yes
Horsepower187 hp175 hp to 373 hp182Yes
Length184.6 inMedian 191.6 in178Yes
Turning circle36.8 ftMedian 38.7 ft166Yes
Fuel cost per mile12.3 centsMedian 12.8 cents179Yes

Horsepower: 10th to 75th percentile of the class.

Is the CX-5 a good commuter car?

Yes. $107 a month to commute. Class median $111.

Miles a month
867
This car
$107
Median of 179 SUVs
$111
Highway mpg
30 mpg, top 29% of 139

Is the CX-5 a good car for seniors?

Yes. Passes 2 of 3 parts.

Seniors check, 2026 Mazda CX-5
MeasureThis carClassCarsPass
Step-in height8.0 in clearance, 66.7 in tall6.9 to 8.4 in clearance, 64.7 to 70.8 in tall156Yes
Front headroom39.7 inMedian 39.9 in169No
Turning circle36.8 ftMedian 38.7 ft166Yes

Step-in: clearance and height in the middle half of the class.

Is the CX-5 a good off-road vehicle?

Yes. 8.2 in clearance. Top 47% of 173 trucks and SUVs.

AWD or 4WD
Yes
Best trim for clearance
Select AWD, 8.2 in
Cohort
173 trucks and SUVs, AWD or 4WD trims

Is the CX-5 worth the money?

Yes. Priced 1% above cars like it.

Price, Select AWD
$31,990
Predicted price
$31,742
Gap
+$248 (+0.8%)
Model error
13% median, 275 cars

Price model: horsepower, length, width, drivetrain, powertrain, body and luxury, 2026 cars.

Passes at up to 5% above the predicted price.

Is the CX-5 a good buy?

No. 1 rival costs less and beat it on fuel cost, cargo and power.

Rivals that cost less and beat the CX-5 on all four
CarPriceFuel cost per mileMax cargoPower
CX-5 2.5 S AWD$29,99012.3 cents66.5 cu ft187 hp
Nissan Rogue 2026.5 FWD S$29,49010.0 cents74.1 cu ft201 hp

Compared with 1,092 trims of other makes, SUVs, 2026.

What this cannot tell you

No safety, reliability or insurance data.

Your prices, use and trim may differ.

How values are checked