Mazda’s best-selling model is entering a new era. The third-generation Mazda CX-5 has officially broken cover, bringing with it a host of meaningful updates aimed at enhancing everyday usability, boosting technology, and refining the driving experience—without compromising the soul that made the original such a global success.
Since its launch in 2012, the CX-5 has represented Mazda’s core values, being the first to fully embrace the brand’s Kodo – Soul of Motion design language and Skyactiv Technology. Over 4.7 million units later, the SUV remains central to the company’s identity. With the 2025 model, Mazda is sharpening the CX-5’s appeal for the modern family, while laying the groundwork for updates across its entire line-up.
More Room, More Convenience
The new CX-5 has grown—but not dramatically. It now measures 4690mm long, 1860mm wide, and 1695mm tall, with a wheelbase stretched by 115mm. This subtle change has unlocked noticeable gains in cabin space, particularly in the rear where shoulder, leg, and headroom have all improved. With families firmly in mind, Mazda has focused on real-world usability. Rear doors now open wider to ease the loading of child seats, while the tailgate lifts higher and the boot loading lip sits lower to improve access.
Boot space has jumped by 61 litres to 583 litres, overtaking the Honda CR-V and nearly matching the Kia Sportage, giving the CX-5 a stronger case in the ever-competitive midsize SUV segment.
A New Digital Heart
One of the biggest shifts in the new CX-5 is its thoroughly reworked infotainment setup. A 15.6-inch Google-powered touchscreen headlines the dashboard on higher trims (base models get a 12.9-inch version), replacing the long-standing physical rotary dial and climate controls. This marks a significant departure from Mazda’s traditional interior layout—but it’s a change driven by customer demand.
“The dial offered limited functionality,” said Christian Schultze, Mazda’s tech research boss. “It was good for volume and simple functions but was harder when more complex operations were called for.”
The new system is as connected as it is intuitive, offering full wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, integrated Google Maps, and support for media apps like Netflix and Amazon Prime—features that make waiting in the car more tolerable, especially for rear-seat passengers. Paired with a 10.25-inch digital driver display, the system brings the CX-5 firmly into the connected era.
With the removal of the dial, Mazda has also added a wireless charging pad and redesigned the center console for improved functionality. It’s all part of a broader vision, according to European design chief Jo Stenuit, who confirmed that this new layout and branding cues—including a refreshed typeface on the steering wheel and rear badge—will roll out across the Mazda portfolio.
Design That Moves
The exterior may not scream revolution, but it’s a clear evolution of Mazda’s Kodo design language. A longer nose and reshaped arches lend the CX-5 a more planted stance, drawing inspiration from the SP Concept shown in 2023. It’s more refined and mature, but still recognizably Mazda—athletic without being aggressive.
Under the Hood: Simpler, Smarter Powertrain
Gone is the array of petrol and diesel engines. Instead, Mazda has simplified the offering with a single hybridised powertrain: a 139 hp 2.5-litre e-Skyactiv G petrol engine, shared with the Mazda 3 and CX-30. This setup offers a balance of efficiency and performance suitable for the CX-5’s family-friendly mission. All-wheel drive remains on the menu for those needing extra traction.
To complement the new powertrain, steering and suspension tweaks have been applied to reduce driver fatigue over long journeys—a subtle nod to the brand’s “Jinba-Ittai” ethos, the harmony between car and driver.
An SUV for the Moment
Mazda calls the third-generation CX-5’s development concept “New Generation Emotional Daily Comfort”, a philosophy that blends emotional design, tactile quality, and everyday practicality. Whether it’s school runs, weekend getaways, or the daily commute, the new CX-5 aims to provide comfort, connection, and control.
With enhanced ADAS safety systems, a redesigned Human-Machine Interface, and a focus on quietness and ride comfort, the 2025 CX-5 isn’t just bigger—it’s smarter, friendlier, and better suited to modern family life.
Mazda’s reimagined SUV will arrive in European showrooms by the end of 2025, with global markets to follow in 2026. Pricing is expected to start around £30,000 (in the UK), keeping it aligned with the outgoing model despite the significant upgrades.
In a segment flooded with options, the 2025 CX-5 makes a strong case for itself—not by chasing trends, but by thoughtfully responding to what real drivers and families actually want.
Source: Mazda
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