Next-Generation 2026 Mazda CX-5 Teased Before July 10 Reveal

The current generation of the Mazda CX-5 is now an eight-year-old vehicle, which means that it’s time to give it a major update. Thankfully, the brand’s global best seller is set to enter its third generation with the 2026 Mazda CX-5, which is set to be unveiled on July 10.

Based on these teasers, the 2026 Mazda CX-5 isn’t expected to get a radical redesign. Instead, the new generation model will feature familiar Kodo styling, but with minor touches to bring the popular crossover SUV more in line with its larger offerings like the CX-60 and CX-90. However, Cochespias somehow managed to leak the design of the next-generation CX-5, and from here, we can already decipher some of what Mazda’s teaser photos are hiding.

The front end will feature new LED headlights, which feature a design that curves into the grille. Those lights are also visually connected by a black trim piece below the grille, while the front bumper contains boomerang-shaped character lines on each side. The side profile, though seemingly all-new, carries a familiar silhouette. Besides, if the CX-5’s previous design brief was already successful, why change what isn’t broken, right?

Now, the rear end is perhaps the most interesting section of the vehicle. Spy shots of the next-generation CX-5 have shown that the rear end features slim LED taillights. As these teaser photos also confirm, the next-generation CX-5 will also ditch the familiar Mazda logo in favor of MAZDA being written across its tailgate.

So far, no interior leaks have made their way into the interwebs, but we can expect an interior that’s typically premium as a Mazda should be. As for the powertrain, two things have been confirmed for the 2026 Mazda CX-5. The first one is Mazda’s first in-house normal (non-plug-in) hybrid system. It will be a parallel hybrid mated to a traditional automatic, rather than a series-parallel system with an e-CVT, as seen from Toyota and Honda.

The other engine will be the Skyactiv-Z, the brand’s ultimate internal combustion engine (ICE), which is expected to be the brand’s most efficient yet. Skyactiv-Z is set to utilize the Lambda One combustion method on all operating conditions, wherein the air-to-fuel ratio will be at a constant 14.7:1 at all times.