New petrol Mazda CX-5 eyes up SUV elite

Third-generation family SUV gets a new look, but ditches most physical controls on the dash and manual gearbox option

- Shane Wilkinson [e-mail]

THE midsize SUV market is fast-moving and fiercely competitive, so the fact that Mazda's entry has been on sale since 2017 means a fresh model was long overdue. This new Mazda CX-5 is set to arrive in 2026, and the Japanese brand is attempting to tread the very fine line between family-friendly practicality and driver enjoyment.

The latest CX-5 will go up against serious competition including the Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Qashqai and Ford Kuga. Mazda hasn't made too many drastic changes over the outgoing car, and the biggest difference is a new front design that brings this SUV in line with the Mazda 6e (driven on Page 24) and CX-6e.

New vertical headlights give the family car a more aggressive look than its predecessor, but there are only a few other notable new directions from the outgoing model's design.

A set of twin exhaust pipes add a bit of sporting flavour and new taillights share some resemblance to those found on the CX-80. Mazda has also replaced the tailgate emblem with its name in typeface form.