As with most Mazdas, style is expected to be a big draw for the new CX-5, but the brand concedes the all-touchscreen infotainment layout isn't for everyone.
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Mazda Australia believes that eye-catching design and mature styling will be a main draw for its new-generation CX-5 mid-size SUV due to launch in the second half of 2026.
Speaking to Drive, Mazda Australia boss Vinesh Bhindi said the design of the third-generation CX-5 will refine the brand’s renowned penchant for style, opting to evolve its ‘Kodo’ design language rather than revolutionise it.
“When you look at the Mazda design, it has been very strong,” Bhindi said.
“When we were invited to talk about this product and have region input … we were very focused on making sure the design part remained a strong point, so alignment from even our US counterparts and in Europe and us in Australia and even in Japan was surprisingly that.
“The design part is very important, and we shouldn't just change for change's sake, which some people think we should have done and are commenting on it, but from our point of view, Mazda’s Kodo design is very strong.
“And it had to be Mazda, not change it.”
This is the first new-generation change for the CX-5 since the second iteration was launched just four years after the first version in 2016.
From the outside, the third-generation CX-5 shares similar proportions to the outgoing model, but borrows the sleeker, more mature look from the brand’s CX-60, CX-70, CX-80, and CX-90 SUVs.
However, one of the most controversial changes to the new CX-5 is its revised infotainment system and centre stack, which forgoes many physical buttons in favour of a larger touchscreen with on-screen controls.
Already a point of contention for commentators and potential buyers, Bhindi acknowledged the interior aspect may not sit well with everyone, but the decision was made to keep the new CX-5 competitive.
“[The interior is] reflecting more of where Mazda is going, and the trends are coming,” Bhindi said.
“Craftsmanship and the materials they're using was very important to us – moving to a big touchscreen on the inside.
“I still like dials, but it's the trend, and it's a clear voice amongst many customers that that's something that's important to them, but equally, we've got probably the same number of customers in feedback saying the dials are good.
“I suspect you can probably draw a line between generations.”
The Mazda CX-5 will not be the only box-fresh family SUV launching in Australia next year, as Toyota also has its next-generation RAV4 earmarked for the first half of 2026.
Like the Mazda, Toyota has also opted for a substantial refresh of the existing platform, rather than a ground-up, all-new model, but the two are set to go head-to-head for the top-selling SUV crown.
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Tung Nguyen has been in the automotive journalism industry for over a decade, cutting his teeth at various publications before finding himself at Drive in 2024. With experience in news, feature, review, and advice writing, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung’s love of cars first started as a child watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, of course.
