New & Used 2026 Mazda CX-5 for Sale near Billings, MT

Is the 2026 Mazda CX-5 a good car?

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 earns a 7.2/10 expert rating, and it is aimed at you if you want a compact SUV that looks sharp, feels more upscale than most rivals, and comes well equipped from the start. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

Mazda’s redesign gives the CX-5 a more modern cabin and a striking new exterior, while standard all-wheel drive and Google built-in help it feel thoroughly equipped. It is also longer, wider, more spacious, and more technologically advanced than before, which makes it a stronger fit if you want a compact SUV with a premium feel and real everyday usefulness.

The trade-offs are clear: the carried-over 187-horsepower engine and six-speed automatic feel dated, and the drivetrain is described as underpowered and thirsty compared with newer hybrid rivals. That means the CX-5 makes the most sense if style, interior quality, and value matter more to you than efficiency or outright performance.

With 15.3% of listings priced as good or great deals, the market gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2026 Mazda CX-5 reliable?

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 is presented as a solid long-term bet if you value a proven layout, standard all-wheel drive, and a straightforward gasoline powertrain. Mazda’s own materials also point to improved insulation, which should help the cabin feel calmer over time, and the model’s comprehensive standard equipment suggests a well-developed package rather than a stripped-down one.

From a dependability standpoint, the carryover 2.5-litre naturally aspirated engine and six-speed automatic are familiar components, which can be reassuring for used buyers. The CX-5 also benefits from Mazda’s standard three-year basic warranty and five-year powertrain warranty, with unlimited kilometres in Canada during those periods.

The main long-term ownership risk for used buyers is that the drivetrain is not especially efficient, so running costs may stay higher than you’d like.

What should I look for when buying a used 2026 Mazda CX-5?

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base GX gets the new design, standard all-wheel drive, a 12.9-inch touchscreen, Google built-in, and a broad safety suite, but the GS adds the best value with 19-inch wheels, a power liftgate, a head-up display, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a 10-way power driver’s seat with memory. The GT adds leather seating, a Bose 12-speaker audio system, and SiriusXM satellite radio, while the Premium Package brings the larger 15.6-inch screen, a 360-degree View Monitor, a driver monitoring system, rear USB-C ports, and front cross-traffic alert with automatic braking.
• Powertrain: You get a carryover SkyActiv-G 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder with 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic and standard i-Activ AWD. It is described as underpowered for the vehicle’s 1,747-kilogram mass, and the transmission can feel slow to respond.
• Safety package: Every trim includes adaptive cruise control with speed limit assist, automatic emergency braking with turn-across traffic detection and head-on collision mitigation, rear automatic emergency braking with rear cross-traffic alert and pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, blind spot monitors, vehicle exit warning, driver attention alert, traffic sign recognition, front and rear parking sensors, and dynamic guidelines for the rear-view camera. The GT adds adaptive front-lighting, and the Premium Package adds front cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, Cruising & Traffic Support with Lane-Change Assist, a driver monitoring system, and the 360-degree View Monitor.
• Infotainment: All trims get a 12.9-inch touchscreen, Google built-in, and a 10.2-inch fully digital instrument cluster. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are wired on the GX and wireless on the GS and GT. The GT Premium Package adds a 15.6-inch screen.
• Fuel efficiency: Natural Resources Canada rates it at 9.9 L/100 km in the city, 7.9 L/100 km on the highway, and 9.0 L/100 km combined.

Which 2026 Mazda CX-5 trim should I buy?

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 is offered in 3 trim levels: GX, GS, GT.

Here's the short version:

• GX: This is the entry point, and it already gives you standard all-wheel drive, Google built-in, a 12.9-inch touchscreen, and the full standard safety suite. It makes sense if you want the lowest price and still care about equipment.
• GS: This is the best-value trim. It adds the features that make the CX-5 feel properly premium, including 19-inch wheels, a power liftgate, a head-up display, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a 10-way power driver’s seat with memory.
• GT: Choose this if you want the more upscale cabin touches, including leather seating, a Bose 12-speaker audio system, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Premium Package adds the larger 15.6-inch screen and extra camera and driver-monitoring tech.

The GT trim adds an adaptive front-lighting system, and the Premium Package adds front cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, Cruising & Traffic Support with Lane-Change Assist, a driver monitoring system, and the 360-degree View Monitor.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2026 Mazda CX-5?

This is a moderate, selective-buyer market, so you should shop carefully and focus on the right trim and price.

• Deal availability: 15.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 648 listings available.

Is the 2026 Mazda CX-5 safe?

The 2026 CX-5 comes with one of the most comprehensive standard safety suites in its class.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Every trim includes adaptive cruise control with speed limit assist, automatic emergency braking with turn-across traffic detection and head-on collision mitigation, rear automatic emergency braking with rear cross-traffic alert and pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, blind spot monitors, vehicle exit warning, driver attention alert, traffic sign recognition, front and rear parking sensors, and dynamic guidelines for the mandatory rear-view camera. The GT trim adds adaptive front-lighting, and the Premium Package adds front cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, Cruising & Traffic Support with Lane-Change Assist, a driver monitoring system, and the 360-degree View Monitor.

Crash test results from NHTSA and IIHS had not been published at the time of writing.

Should I buy a 2026 Mazda CX-5 or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2026 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2026 if:

• 15.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• It brings a full redesign, standard all-wheel drive, and Google built-in across the lineup.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It blends practicality with a genuinely enjoyable driving experience.

The bottom line: If you want the newest CX-5 with the most modern design and equipment, the 2026 is the better pick. If you are more price-sensitive and value the older model’s sporty character, the 2025 remains worth a look.

How does the 2026 Mazda CX-5 compare to the 2026 Honda CR-V?

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.