To say that the CX-5 is Mazda’s most important vehicle worldwide is an understatement. Sold in more than 100 countries, the popular crossover SUV has reached 5 million total sales earlier this year. So it’s unsurprising that expectatioms for the next-generation 2027 Mazda CX-5 are high.
Though not yet confirmed by the brand if it’s arriving in the Philippines soon, it is almost certain that Mazda’s bread and butter model is going to be sold here. Before that officially happens, here’s what you can expect from Mazda’s most popular crossover SUV.
Practicality And Comfort The Mazda Way
The new-generation 2027 Mazda CX-5 rides on a completely new platform, and this is evident from the moment you notice its proportions. The CX-5 is much longer and wider than before, all in the name of creating plenty of interior space. As a result, legroom, headroom, and shoulder room are pretty much on par now with more practical rivals like the RAV4 and CR-V. The same goes for trunk space, which matches the volume offered by the CR-V e:HEV.
Historically, the CX-5 has never been known for its generous rear seat space. Though, to be fair, I never considered the previous second-generation model cramped, but it’s not cavernous, either. This time around, the CX-5 is now a crossover SUV you’d consider due to its spaciousness.
This conveniently leads us to the car’s driving dynamics—or at least what is promised by the brand. Mazdas are known for firm suspensions since their vehicles are clearly focused on sportiness. As the brand pivoted towards a more premium and mature image in recent years, their vehicles have ever-so-slightly skewed towards offering a less firm ride.
In this new CX-5, delivering a comfortable ride has become one of its primary missions, but without diluting the sportiness that the CX-5 has always been known for. Along with more sound deadening and a highly rigid structure, the new CX-5 also promises to be more refined, too. Only a week-long test drive can verify that promise, but we’re confident Mazda will deliver on this aspect.
Evolving A Successful Design Template
A Mazda conversation wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t dwell on its evolved Kodo Design. The CX-5 already has a design identity in the segment. You’ll easily recognize it with its long hood, short rear deck, and flowing lines from the body to the front fenders. The second-generation model is highly regarded for its design, so the pressure is high to make the third-generation model look just as good.
To achieve this, the signature Mazda five-point winged grille has been made slimmer, and these are flanked by LED headlights with twin U-shaped LED daytime running lights. For lower-spec variants, the LED daytime running lights have a simpler graphic. The front bumper has also been given more volume through slightly larger lower intakes.
At the sides, the overall profile is very similar to the previous generation, but Mazda’s design for the wheel arches were inspired by Kigumi—a Japanese wood working technique to join two timber components to create interlocking structures that elimimate the need for glue or nails. Wheel sizes also range from 17 to 19 inches, depending on the variant. Reserved for the range-topping models are gloss black 19-inches wheels and gloss black body cladding. Personally, though, I prefer the two-tone 19-inch design.
Lastly, the rear end evolves the previous model’s LED taillight design, which is coupled with a new MAZDA script written across the tailgate. Overall, the design is more elegant than sporty for this generation, mainly due to the elongated proportions and wider stance.
Minimalist Interior With Interesting Colors
Mazda has long been the interior benchmark due to how the brand has pushed the boundaries on what to expect in terms of premium feel. The previous model has generous lashings of leather or leatherette upholstery on the dash, doors, and the center console. You even got Nappa Leather and Sen Wood on the Signature trims.
This time around, though, the interior has been completely reimagined. The overall design is a lot more minimalist, with a horizontal layout and simpler design flourishes. The available color choices are still great—my favorite being the mix of white leather and black suede in this particular mid-spec model on display. The reason for the two different materials on the seats is that, white interiors are hard to keep clean, and so by making the lower half black, the two-tone seats retain their look over time.
However, it is worth noting that some concessions were made in the materials department. The upper panel of the doors and dash is now hard plastic, while the amount of leather or leatherette coverings in these surfaces have been reduced. Overall though, the interior is not as premium as the previous CX-5, but versus all of its Japanese rivals, it is still right at the top in terms of plushness and build quality.
Big Screens, Reduced Buttons
The minimalist approach to the interior design is due to Mazda’s newfound focus on modernity. The driver gets a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster, while the central infotainment screen that measures 12.9 inches as standard or 15.6 inches on the range-topping trim is now primarily operated by touch. Yes, the rotary knob controller that Mazda fans (including myself) has disappeared, and so did the physical climate controls.
Now, unlike other brands that have ditched physical controls, it seems that Mazda had more intense controversy regarding this decision, particularly with fans, and there’s good reason for that. Physical controls have been a selling point in Mazda’s interiors for the longest time. Remember when the current Mazda 3 came out in 2019? A great deal of effort was spent merely engineering the clickiness of the buttons and even nailing the right color temperature for its illumination.
By eliminating the physical controls, Mazda is betting on its newest E/E Architecture+ to be good enough to replace good old knobs and buttons. Mazda’s E/E Architecture+ is primarily based on Google’s Android Automotive Operating System (AAOS). This is Mazda’s first entry into the software-defined vehicle (SDV) era, wherein the new CX-5 and all upcoming future Mazdas will have the capability to receive new features and vehicle improvements through over-the-air (OTA) updates. Tesla kickstarted the SDV era, and this is what the automotive industry is leaning to in recent years.
As for the user interface itself, the graphical design looks mature and elegant in typical Mazda fashion. The screen itself is sharp, too. Even if it’s in Japanese, I was able to figure out most of the vehicle’s functions, a good sign that it’ll be intuitive to use. Since this is Google’s AAOS, it natively supports Google services, even down to the standard digital gauges and available head-up display. Navigation prompts from Google Maps, as well as the built-in Spotify are now projected through the gauges and/or head-up display. Modernity, no doubt, is what Mazda has achieved in the new CX-5.
Unfortunately, the infotainment’s response could be snappier. There’s lag in certain menu animations, and this is even more apparent when you dig deeper into the climate menu. At least when it comes to the basic controls like the temperature adjustment and fan speed are always at the bottom of the screen. As a whole, I still singlehandedly prefer physical controls, but hopefully the responsiveness of certain menus will be improved through future OTAs.
Other niceties include a very sharp 360-degree camera system with a 3D view (which is what numerous Chinese automakers are now doing these days), a Bose sound system, and a new panoramic sunroof. Ventilated front seats are alao available in the highest trim version.
2.5-Liter Engines As Standard, Hybrid Coming 2027
Two 2.5-liter engine choices are offered in the new CX-5. The first one is a carryover Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 190 horsepower and 252 Nm of torque, while the other is a 24-volt e-Skyactiv-G mild hybrid version that produces a modest 141 horsepower and 238 Nm of torque. Whichever you choose, you get a six-speed automatic as standard, while all-wheel drive (AWD) is offered as an option in higher variants.
For those who want a hybrid, that won’t be coming until 2027. Mazda, however, promises that their future hybrid system will retain Mazda’s sportiness, as it won’t be using an e-CVT. The transmission choice has not been confirmed, either, but without an e-CVT, it is highly likely that Mazda’s hybrid system will be a parallel system instead of a series-parallel that Toyota and Honds prefer to use.
The Initial Verdict
All-in-all, based on these changes, the 2027 Mazda CX-5 tries to appeal to a wider demographic as opposed to just its core customer base. The tech-heavy interior will surely impress the mainstream buyer, but it may put off the Mazda faithful.
What will be universally appreciated by both camps is its much more spacious interior and the promise of a more comfortable drive without compromising the sportiness that Mazdas have always been known for. Only time will tell if this direction for the new CX-5 will be successful. All we wish for is a higher degree of physical controls to return, while the upcoming hybrid version couldn’t come soon enough.
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