Mazda has revealed pricing and specs for the third-generation CX-5 (that looks like the 2025 CX-5), and it arrives with one of the most baffling powertrain decisions we have seen in years: a single naturally aspirated petrol engine, a six-speed automatic, and absolutely no electrification whatsoever.
In a market where BYD is slinging PHEVs for under $50,000 and even Toyota has cottoned on to hybrid everything, Mazda has decided that what Australian families truly crave is a 2.5-litre four-cylinder paired with a gearbox that would have felt dated in 2018.
The interior, admittedly, is rather lovely. The cabin has been significantly improved, with a 12.9-inch touchscreen in base models ballooning to 15.6 inches in the range-topping Akera. There is wireless Apple CarPlay, heated everything, and enough tech to make you forget you are sitting in a vehicle that still drinks 7.4 litres per 100 kilometres.
The exterior, meanwhile, is so indistinguishable from the outgoing model that even Mazda’s own press shots require careful examination. It looks like a CX-5. It looks like a CX-30. It looks like every other Mazda SUV that has rolled out of Hiroshima in the past five years. The Kigumi design philosophy sounds frightfully impressive until you realise it is just a fancy way of describing how the wheel arches meet the body cladding.
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ABOVE: 2026 Mazda CX-5
How Much Does the 2026 Mazda CX-5 Cost in Australia?
Pricing starts at $39,990 for the Pure and climbs to $54,990 for the Akera. That is manufacturer list price, not driveaway, so expect to add several thousand for on-roads. For context, a BYD Sealion 6 PHEV starts at $47,888 driveaway with 92 kilometres of electric range. The Mazda offers zero.
The Six-Speed Scandal
Let us address the elephant stomping about the showroom: the transmission. While rivals have moved to eight, nine, or even ten-speed automatics, and while the entire industry pivots toward electrification, Mazda has stuck with its six-speed Skyactiv-Drive unit. The same gearbox that has been doing duty since the dawn of the Skyactiv era.
It is not a bad transmission, but in 2026, it is a statement. And that statement appears to be: we have given up.
The G25 2.5-litre engine produces 132kW and 242Nm on 91 octane. Perfectly adequate, but hardly thrilling. Power goes to all four wheels as standard, which is nice, but it will not offset the fuel bills in a world of $2+ petrol.
What Do You Get for Your Money?
The five-grade lineup runs Pure, Evolve (new), Touring, GT SP, and Akera. Base Pure models get a 12.9-inch touchscreen, 17-inch alloys, dual-zone climate, wired Apple CarPlay, and a suite of safety tech including radar cruise with Stop and Go. It is a reasonable spec sheet for $40k, if you ignore the powertrain situation.
The new Evolve grade adds heated seats, wireless smartphone connectivity, a wireless charger, and smart keyless entry. Touring brings 19-inch wheels, powered driver seat, heated steering wheel, and a head-up display. GT SP throws in a Bose stereo, leather seats, and 360-degree cameras. The Akera crowns the range with seat ventilation, a panoramic sunroof, and a 15.6-inch central screen.
The Competition Has Moved On
At $47,888 driveaway, the BYD Sealion 6 Premium offers a plug-in hybrid with 92km of electric range, 523kW of combined power, and tech that makes the CX-5 infotainment look positively quaint. The MG HS Plus EV starts at $46,990 with 63km of electric range. Even the humble Toyota RAV4 Hybrid undercuts the CX-5 Touring while sipping fuel like a vicar at high tea.
Mazda has long prided itself on driving dynamics and premium-adjacent interiors, but in 2026, that is not enough. When buyers can get genuine electrified capability for the same money, a 132kW petrol engine and a six-speed auto feels less like a conscious choice and more like an admission of defeat.
The CX-5 arrives mid-2026. Whether Australian families are still interested remains to be seen.
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Alan Zurvas is the founder and editor of Gay Car Boys, Australia's leading LGBTQI+ automotive publication. Before launching GCB in 2008, Alan's automotive writing was published in SameSame.com.au and the Star Observer. With over 16 years of hands-on car reviewing experience, Alan brings an honest, irreverent voice to every review — championing value and innovation over brand loyalty.
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