All-New Mazda CX-5 In Malaysia – More, Space, New Cabin More Space And 2.5L Engine

Bermaz Motor has officially launched the third-generation Mazda CX-5 in Malaysia, bringing a larger body, more spacious cabin, a substantially redesigned interior and a comprehensive suite of i-Activsense safety technologies to one of Mazda’s most important models.

The all-new CX-5 is priced from RM171,510.40 (on the road without insurance in Pen. Malaysia), with the Malaysian market receiving the model as a fully imported (CBU) unit from Mazda’s plant in Hiroshima, Japan.

Mazda says more than five million CX-5 units have been sold globally since the model was introduced in 2012, making it a key part of the brand’s global line-up.

For this third generation, Mazda has retained the CX-5’s familiar SUV silhouette while developing it around its Kodo: Soul of Motion design philosophy and a new “Wearable Gear” concept intended to make the vehicle feel naturally integrated into everyday life.

Larger And More Practical

The new CX-5 measures 4,690mm long, 1,860mm wide and 1,695mm tall, with a 2,815mm wheelbase and 200mm of ground clearance.

The longer wheelbase is one of the key changes, with Mazda putting greater emphasis on rear passenger comfort and everyday practicality.

Rear knee clearance increased by 64mm, while headroom grew by 29mm. The rear doors also open 70mm wider, while a lower hip point makes getting in and out easier. To facilitate a larger door aperture, Mazda collaborated with Nippon Steel Corp at the development stage to create lightweight body structure while preserving body rigidity and crash safety.

The cargo floor has also been extended by around 45mm to make it easier to accommodate larger items such as strollers.

Meanwhile, the rear seats retain a practical 40:20:40 split-fold configuration, with manual reclining adjustment.

Visually, the CX-5 adopts a more planted stance, with muscular wheel arches, a redesigned Signature Wing and sharper lighting elements.

The rear is also 15mm wider, while new linear LED graphics and large MAZDA lettering give the SUV a cleaner appearance.

The Malaysian specification runs 19-inch alloy wheels with 225/55 R19 tyres.

A Modern Cabin

Inside, Mazda has taken a step forward with a cleaner dashboard dominated by a new 12.9-inch touchscreen, paired with a 10.25-inch instrument display. The infotainment unit is designed with a friendly user interface and is easy to reach.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, while the cabin gets Type-C USB ports and a wireless charger.

The Malaysian CX-5 2.5 High also comes with a 12-speaker Bose sound system, 360-degree View Monitor with See-Through View and a panoramic power sunroof.

The front seats are leather-trimmed, with a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory and a six-way power-adjustable front passenger seat. The driver’s seat also gets ventilation.

Mazda has also introduced ambient lighting with seven colour choices, while the redesigned centre console is intended to make everyday items such as cupholders, the wireless charger and armrests easier to access.

Naturally Aspirated 2.5-Litre

Unlike some markets where the new CX-5 is offered with electrified powertrains, the Malaysian model uses Mazda’s SkyActiv-G 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine.

The engine produces 185hp at 6,000rpm and 257Nm at 4,000rpm, with drive sent to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.

Mazda quotes a combined fuel consumption figure of 7.6 litres/100km, based on the NEDC test cycle. The CX-5 has a 56-litre fuel tank.

The chassis continues to make use of MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link arrangement at the rear, with electronic power-assisted steering.

Mazda also claims the new high-tensile-steel structure improves rigidity and steering precision, while revisions to the suspension are for improving ride comfort and controlling body movement over uneven surfaces.

The CX-5 also retains G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus) to help manage vehicle movement during steering inputs.

Comprehensive i-Activsense Safety

Safety equipment is extensive, with the new CX-5 featuring Mazda’s latest i-Activsense systems.

These include Adaptive LED Headlights, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Front Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Lane-keep Assist and Emergency Lane Keeping.

The SUV also gets Driver Attention Alert with Driver Monitoring and Smart Brake Support covering front and rear situations, turn-across traffic, intersection accident avoidance, head-on collision mitigation, low-speed object detection and front and rear crossing traffic.

Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Cruising & Traffic Support are also included.

Incidentally, the new CX-5 also earned the 2026 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK Plus award in the United States.

Five-Year Warranty And Maintenance

The all-new CX-5 is offered with Mazda’s five-year/100,000km manufacturer warranty and five-year free maintenance programme, whichever comes first.

The maintenance programme covers required maintenance, labour, parts and lubricants (Mazda BT-50 is excluded).

The all-new CX-5 is available in Rhodium White, Soul Red Crystal, Machine Gray, Jet Black, Navy Blue and Aero Gray, with the latter two expanding the colour choices for the CX-5.

Test drives are available at authorised Mazda dealerships nationwide. The CX-5 is also on display this weekend at the Mazda roadshow in 1 Utama Shopping Centre (New Wing), Petaling Jaya.

CarTok Editor’s Note

The third-generation CX-5 comes at an interesting point in Malaysia’s SUV market.

Thus far, Mazda has resisted the temptation to make the Malaysian CX-5 another turbocharged or electrified offering, instead sticking with a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre engine and conventional six-speed automatic.

This may not sound particularly adventurous in 2026, but there is a practical logic to it. Mazda’s appeal has traditionally been its combination of driving feel, refinement and relatively straightforward ownership. The new model largely stays within that formula.

The big change is in the areas where the previous CX-5 was less convincing: space, rear-seat usability and screen size.

The longer wheelbase and wider-opening rear doors should also matter to families, especially those with young children or seniors.

Furthermore, its partnership with Nippon Steel isn’t new. Both companies had previously developed the world’s first cold-stamped vehicle parts using 1,310 MPa-class high-strength steel.

Another significant consideration is that this first Malaysian batch is CBU from Japan. With the new CX-5 eventually moving to local assembly, buyers looking at the model now will have to make a decision based on the current CBU proposition. There is a possibility the locally assembled version is an electrified one.

At around RM172k for a fully imported model, Mazda is clear about its product positioning and its promise of quality and driving enjoyment.

Whether the additional polish justifies the premium ultimately comes down to how much Mazda’s design, Jinba Ittai driving character and ownership proposition appeal to Malaysian buyers, in the face of aggressive competition from newer market entrants.