The 2026 Mazda CX-5, driven: It got bigger; plus, radical tech upgrade

Starting at $29,990, there's a lot to like about the all-new Mazda, but it's not perfect.

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[Oregano]

The CX-50 seriously lacks headroom compared with the CX-5, or I might have considered it when I bought my CX-5. I’m hoping they bring back the physical buttons for HVAC before I need another car.

The rotary dial is great for some things but not great for CarPlay. I wonder if they’ll bring back the turbo option in future?

 

[Oregano]

Which brings about the question of why they're selling two almost similar vehicles under two different model names.

The CX-50 might be the “same size” as the CX-5, but it is longer and wider and has significantly less headroom inside. The CX-50 is made in North America while the CX-5 is made in Japan.