
Our Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show 2026 (KLIMS 2026) coverage continues with Mazda Malaysia (Bermaz Motor), where the company unveiled its latest C-segment SUV for the first time in Malaysia, the third-gen 2026 Mazda CX-5.
Bookings for the new CX-5 have also been opened at KLIMS with an estimated price tag of RM170,000, and this new SUV will be offered in a fully imported (CBU) form first, where it will be officially launched sometime later in Q3 this year.
Single 2.5L MHEV Engine for Now
Mind you, this exact CX-5 being displayed at KLIMS 2026 is not the final Malaysian-spec model, but some of its details would give us a good glimpse of what we can expect to see in the near future.
We’ll start under the bonnet, where the new CX-5 hides a 2.5-litre 4-cyl naturally-aspirated e-Skyactiv G petrol engine, which is then mated to a 24-volt mild hybrid (MHEV) system producing 141 PS and 238 Nm.

Still mated to the same 6-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic transmission as the current outgoing model, the new CX-5 can be specced with either a FWD or an AWD drivetrain configuration, with the model displayed here sporting the latter.
While the new CX-5 underpins the same but heavily modified platform as the outgoing model, this third-gen SUV does feature some other mechanical improvements, including the new brake-by-wire system plus some chassis and suspension tweaks for better handling and ride comfort.

Once it debuts on our market, we’ve been told that both the second- and third-gen CX-5 will be sold concurrently, with the outgoing model possibly losing the 2.5-litre engine option and only being offered with the 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G powertrain instead.

Evolution of Mazda’s Kodo Design
Visually, the new CX-5 looks like an evolution from the previous second-gen model, featuring the same signature Kodo design but with some new and fresh design bits scattered around.
Again, this is not the final Malaysian-spec model, but the new CX-5 displayed here gets an entirely new front face featuring a larger front grille that is flanked by a pair of dual-stack LED headlights with dual J-shaped DRLs, plus a gloss black-hued lower bumper.
From the side, you can see that the new CX-5 retains the sporty Kodo side profile design with an elongated front hood and a sporty rear end while riding on new 19-inch gloss black wheels shod in premium Bridgestone Alenza tyres.
The rear part has also changed massively, now sporting slim LED taillights a la CX-60, while the infamous Mazda badge has now been replaced by more minimalist Mazda lettering.

Another key change for the new CX-5 is in its footprint, where the SUV has grown larger than its predecessor. Spanning 4,690 mm long, 1,860 mm wide, and 1,695 mm tall, the new CX-5 is 115 mm longer, 15 mm wider, and 15 mm taller over the outgoing model, while its wheelbase is now stretched by 115 mm to 2,815 mm—one of the longest in its segment.
Premium, More Spacious Interior
The growth spurt is directly reflected on the new CX-5’s interior, where it is now more spacious and practical than ever while being laced with more premium touches and amenities.
Firstly, the larger footprint allows the CX-5 to boast a larger and wider rear door aperture, making egressing and regressing from this SUV much easier than the previous model. This also translates to a roomier rear cabin space, plus a larger boot space of 583 litres—more than 100 litres larger compared to its predecessor.
Moving to the premiums, the exact model displayed here rocks a fancy two-tone tan and black interior colourway with tons of soft-touch materials and leather upholstery wrapping the entire cabin.
Notably, the front dash layout has also been redesigned to accommodate its larger central touchscreen and other new gizmos, at the expense of physical buttons and controls. Some key amenities primed here, which may or may not be included in the final model, are the following:
- New 15.6-inch infotainment screen with wireless Android Auto & Apple Carplay
- New 10.25-inch digital metre cluster with HUD
- New three-spoke steering wheel with Mazda lettering
- Wireless charging pad
- USB-C charging ports
- Large panoramic sunroof with a powered sunshade
- New Bose sound system with a built-in subwoofer
- Powered and heated front seats
- Heated rear seats







































