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By Jonathan Crouch

Mazda is pinning a lot on this third generation CX-5 mid-sized SUV. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 56

The CX-5 is Mazda's most important global model, so this third generation version could hardly be more important to the Hiroshima maker's fortunes. This mid-sized SUV now has a sharper look, a more modern cabin and a slightly different outlook, so much has changed. If you liked it before, you'll probably like it even more now.

Backgroundword count: 221

Mazda is rarely the first to champion new market trends, but once the Hiroshima brand gets on board with something, the result usually tends to be a thoughtfully designed and enduring product. A great example of this is the company's CX-5 mid-sized SUV model line. At its original launch back in 2012, this car was a late-comer to this rapidly expanding segment but had a depth of engineering missing from some of its more hastily conceived rivals. As a result, over 1.5 million CX-5s had been sold globally by the time the second generation version arrived in 2017, a car that took world sales of this model line to over 4.7 million, with over 100,000 of those owners in the UK. That MK2 design was very much an evolution of its predecessor, carrying forward the previous car's platform and much the same range of engines. And at first glance, you might think the same applies to its third generation replacement, announced in the summer of 2025. Yet Mazda insists that much is fundamentally different here. From a car that better fills the gap in the Japanese company's line-up between the compact CX-30 and the larger CX-60. The MK3 CX-5 is larger, has a completely redesigned, much high-tech cabin and adopts a new approach beneath the bonnet. Let's take a closer look.

Engines and Tech Specword count: 280

Since Mazda has had since 2017 to develop this car, it would have been reasonable for the brand to follow the segment trend and introduce the option of a full-EV version this time round. Or at the very least a Plug-in Hybrid powertrain such as the one used with the brand's larger SUVs. But Mazda doesn't follow segment trends, it doesn't particularly like EVs and the Plug-in Hybrid powertrain it offers with the CX-60 and CX-80 models wouldn't be class-competitive in the CX-5's more closely-fought segment. So what we get instead is a mild hybrid powerplant - and one new to the CX-5 model line. In place of the previous generation car's 2.0 and 2.5-litre petrol and 2.2-litre diesel options, there's now just the e-SKYACTIV G petrol unit familiar from the brand's smaller Mazda 3 and CX-30 models, with 24V Mazda M Hybrid technology. It's 2.5-litres in size, which leads you to expect a total output quite a lot larger than the 141PS actually delivered. It works with more sophisticated brake-by-wire technology for more instant response and Mazda says it produces 238Nm of torque - enough to facilitate a 2,000kg braked towing capacity. As with the previous generation model, there's a choice between front-driven and AWD formats, with the volume front-driven set-up capable of 0-62mph in 10.5s; it's 10.9s for the AWD version. The only transmission choice is a six-speed automatic. The MK2 CX-5 had a reputation as one of the best driver's cars in its class, something Mazda claims to have built on here with changes to chassis and suspension also aimed at improving ride comfort. The steering's been tweaked too. Expect a full-Hybrid engine option later in production.

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