Criticisms of the second-generation Mazda CX-5 were heard, with the all-new 2026 model now bigger than before for improved passenger comfort and more boot space.
Family Cars
Mazda’s crucial new CX-5 family SUV has had Australian input, as well as contributions from other markets, to make it a more competitive model to better take on the top-selling Toyota RAV4.
Speaking to Drive, Mazda Australia boss Vinesh Bhindi said the 2026 CX-5 was designed around addressing a key criticism of the second-generation model, namely its smaller size compared to rivals.
"In every product, Mazda Australia has been given that opportunity to provide input because Australia is an important market for Mazda globally," Bhindi said.
"We went through all the details of our customer feedback and what our product experts thought were important changes they could dial in.
"When you look at the dimension changes, the passenger rear cabin comfort dialled in and the extra entry-exit [opening], and then also the cargo [capacity].
"There were inputs from us and other regions, so we were common in what our desire and want was."
The third-generation CX-5 measures 4690mm long, 1860mm wide, 1695mm tall, and features a 2815mm wheelbase.
This makes it 115mm longer overall and in wheelbase, while also 15mm wider and taller than the outgoing model that first arrived in Australia in 2017.
This should afford the 2026 CX-5 more interior space, with Mazda claiming "passenger comfort has been enhanced thanks to increased rear leg, knee, and headroom", though exact interior measurements are still to be revealed.
Similarly, Mazda is boasting increased boot volume in the new model, as well as a 18mm lower load lip, and 50mm longer and 25mm tall boot area.
As a result, the boot is 61 litres larger than before at 567L, though those are European figures.
The Australian measurements place the current car’s capacity at 438L with all seats in place, expanding to 1340L with the second-row folded, so expect around a 500L capacity for the CX-5 locally.
Despite the boost in physical dimensions, Mazda’s penchant for design has remained a strong focus, with Australia and all markets highlighting that aspect as a key area for the new CX-5.
"In regards to this new car, I was personally part of it twice, but there's other members in the MA (Mazda Australia) team who were there more regularly in giving regular input," Bhindi said.
"In the end, when the designer sat in front of us threw out [the new CX-5], we said ‘that's it’, and my colleagues in US and Europe said the same thing. And then, when we first saw the clay modelling or rendering? We were very excited."
Mazda’s third-generation CX-5 is expected to arrive in Australian showrooms in the second half of 2026.
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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.
