The most valuable part of this review is the attention paid to what owners may face years after leaving the showroom. Rather than treating the redesigned CX-5 primarily as a collection of screens, styling changes, and performance numbers, the mechanic spends substantial time examining how the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine is packaged and serviced. Accessible spark plugs, a conventional mechanical water pump and thermostat, straightforward valve-cover access, an externally accessible A/C expansion valve, and the absence of turbo hardware all support his central argument that Mazda has kept the powertrain comparatively simple. His enthusiasm occasionally gets excessive, but the under-hood walkthrough gives viewers concrete reasons for it rather than merely declaring the vehicle reliable.
The six-speed automatic receives similarly strong praise. The reviewer appreciates Mazda retaining a conventional automatic instead of moving toward a CVT, DCT, or transmission with more ratios, and he explains the torque converter's frequently engaging clutch while emphasizing the smooth, linear behavior he experienced. He is also appropriately cautious in one important area: cylinder deactivation. Conflicting information prevents him from confirming whether this particular configuration uses it, so he explicitly labels the issue unresolved rather than turning uncertain specifications into fact. That restraint strengthens an otherwise highly enthusiastic technical assessment.
The underside inspection adds substance that many new-car reviews never attempt. Steel suspension components, painted axles, braces, exhaust construction, fuel-tank shielding, aerodynamic covers, the small rear differential, and brake hardware all receive attention. Not everything earns praise: the front ball joint being integrated into the control arm is criticized from a repairability perspective, and plastic elements in the sway-bar links are noted. His conclusion that overall construction appears to be a step up for Mazda is ultimately an impression rather than evidence of long-term durability, but viewers can at least see which components informed that judgment.
Where the CX-5 gives something up is performance. The reviewer repeatedly returns to the naturally aspirated engine's 187 horsepower and argues that the larger vehicle can feel underpowered, particularly when acceleration forces the engine to become noticeably louder. That creates a clear tradeoff in his assessment: removing the turbo reduces complexity, but buyers accustomed to the stronger version may miss its performance immediately. The discussion would be stronger with measured acceleration, fuel-economy results, or direct comparison testing, but his recommendation to test-drive the vehicle with power expectations in mind is sensible. Importantly, his expectation of good reliability remains an expectation based on design simplicity and related experience, not proof of how the redesigned model will age.
The exterior section is considerably more subjective but still identifies practical improvements. The reviewer sees a strong CX-90 influence and dislikes several details, especially the unusual door crease, headlight treatment, and some large panel gaps. His extended reaction to the door sculpting is entertaining but disproportionate to its importance. More consequential is the longer wheelbase and dramatically wide rear-door opening, which translate into a back seat he finds spacious and comfortable. Cargo usability also earns praise through the easy seat-folding mechanism and inclusion of a spare tire. Conversely, the power liftgate's single powered strut raises a concern that repeated one-sided operation could eventually twist the hatch, though that is presented as a predicted consequence rather than a demonstrated problem with this model.
Inside, Mazda's move from physical controls to a screen-dominated interface becomes the review's strongest criticism. The display itself is praised for size, responsiveness, and speed, while the cabin earns high marks for seating comfort, driving position, perceived quality, and restrained design. The interface decisions are less convincing. There is no dedicated volume knob, climate functions reside on the touchscreen, and subtle gray state changes can require more visual attention than the reviewer considers appropriate. His observation that a driver-monitoring system can complain about distraction while the interface itself encourages prolonged glances is particularly effective because it connects design fashion to actual usability rather than simply objecting to touchscreens.
The final verdict is exceptionally positive, perhaps more positive than the review's own criticisms fully justify. Calling the CX-5 nearly perfect sits awkwardly beside repeated complaints about weak acceleration, touchscreen dependence, questionable styling choices, and several repairability concerns. Still, the case for the vehicle is coherent: a familiar naturally aspirated engine, conventional six-speed automatic, accessible mechanical layout, improved rear-seat accommodations, comfortable and refined driving behavior, and a cabin that feels well executed despite its control philosophy. The mechanic-focused presentation is most persuasive when showing components and explaining why their placement matters; it is less persuasive when anticipated reliability or future wear is inferred from design alone.
Pros
- Detailed under-hood examination explains why the naturally aspirated engine could be comparatively straightforward to service and repair.
- The conventional six-speed automatic is clearly explained and praised for smooth, linear operation.
- Undercarriage coverage provides useful observations about suspension, brakes, exhaust, shielding, braces, drivetrain components, and construction quality.
- Uncertainty surrounding cylinder deactivation is explicitly acknowledged rather than presented as settled fact.
- The longer wheelbase, wide-opening rear doors, improved rear seating, usable cargo area, and spare tire demonstrate meaningful practical improvements.
- Interior analysis balances praise for comfort, refinement, and screen responsiveness with specific criticism of touchscreen-heavy controls.
Cons
- Claims about long-term reliability and low repair costs are plausible expectations from the design but cannot yet be established for a new 2026 model.
- The 187-horsepower engine is repeatedly described as lacking power, but no acceleration measurements or direct comparison testing are provided.
- The prediction that the single-motor power liftgate will eventually twist the hatch is speculative rather than demonstrated.
- Exterior styling criticism, particularly the lengthy focus on the door crease, receives more attention than its practical significance warrants.
- Calling the vehicle nearly perfect feels overstated given the review's substantial complaints about performance and control ergonomics.
This is a particularly useful CX-5 review for buyers interested in what sits beneath the styling and technology, with the mechanical walkthrough making a convincing case for Mazda's comparatively straightforward powertrain and service-friendly packaging. The redesigned model appears to gain space, refinement, and technology while sacrificing turbocharged performance and much of Mazda's former reliance on physical controls, and the review identifies those compromises well even if its enthusiasm sometimes outruns what can be established about a brand-new vehicle.
