2027 Chevrolet Bolt vs 2026 Mazda CX-5

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 was a visual standout in its segment, thanks to its evolved Kodo design language, which Mazda referred to as "Wearable Gear." This design gave the CX-5 a sculpted and purposeful appearance, with a Signature Wing grille that seamlessly flowed into new LED headlights. The rear featured angular lighting that tied the CX-5 to Mazda's larger models, and a new "MAZDA" script badge replaced the traditional logo. Despite its attractive design, the wheel options were underwhelming, with the base 17-inch wheels appearing small on the larger body, and the 19-inch wheels lacking intricate detailing. Inside, the CX-5 continued Mazda's tradition of high-quality interiors, featuring a clean dashboard design, a prominent central touchscreen, and a driver-focused cockpit. The materials were generally upscale, with soft-touch surfaces and a two-tone interior option on upper trims. However, the presence of hard plastic in certain areas slightly detracted from the overall premium feel.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt retained a familiar look, with slight styling changes that made it resemble a conventional gas-powered car. The front end featured a thin slot behind the Chevy Bowtie logo, and the previous grille insert was integrated into the bumper. The Bolt's tall and narrow stance prioritized utility and interior space over a sporty appearance. The interior received a more dramatic makeover, with a larger digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The push-button gear selector was moved to the steering column, freeing up storage space in the centre console. While the cabin was dominated by hard plastic surfaces, the elbow touch points had thin padding. The RS trim offered Evotex synthetic leather with red stitching, adding a touch of sportiness. Despite its budget feel, the Bolt provided ample headroom and thigh support in the rear seats, and the flat floor reduced the penalty for centre-seat passengers.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5's performance was a mixed bag. It featured a carryover SkyActiv-G 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While these numbers were adequate on paper, the engine felt underpowered in practice, especially given the vehicle's weight of 1,747 kilograms. The lack of power was noticeable during highway merging and passing maneuvers, with a 0-96 km/h time of 9.6 seconds, making it the slowest in its segment. The six-speed automatic transmission, though smooth, couldn't match the responsiveness of competitors' eight-speed units. The absence of the previous generation's turbocharged engine was a disappointment, but Mazda confirmed a hybrid variant for 2027. Despite the power deficit, the CX-5 excelled in handling, with direct steering, well-managed body roll, and a sense of agility. Ride quality was firm yet comfortable, and improved insulation reduced road and wind noise. However, its fuel economy figures were among the highest in the segment, with competitors offering better efficiency.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt featured a new 65-kilowatt-hour lithium-iron phosphate battery pack, reducing costs and requiring fewer rare earth minerals. It was powered by a motor from Chevy's Equinox EV, delivering 210 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels. The Bolt's acceleration was quick, with a 0-100 km/h time in the low seven-second range, making it a rocket compared to gas-powered subcompact SUVs. One-pedal driving was available, with medium or high levels of brake regeneration. The ride was firm but not overly stiff, and the absence of an internal combustion engine made road noise more noticeable. The Bolt's low centre of gravity, thanks to the heavy battery, contributed to its agility on curvy roads. On a full charge, it offered a range of up to 422 kilometres, an improvement over previous models. The Bolt also featured a Tesla-derived North American Charging Standard charge port, with increased charging speed, allowing it to recharge from 10% to 80% in 25 minutes.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5's dimensional growth translated into a more spacious interior. The wheelbase stretch improved rear knee clearance to 1,012 millimetres, addressing a common criticism of the previous model. A 6'1" test driver found ample room in any seat, and rear headroom was a standout feature, even with the panoramic sunroof. Front legroom matched the segment, while rear legroom was competitive. Cargo space improved to 954 litres behind the second row, expanding to 1,882 litres with the seats folded. Larger door openings and an available hands-free power liftgate added convenience. However, towing capacity decreased to 680 kilograms, trailing competitors like the Tucson and Sportage.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt offered an upright driving position with ample space for larger occupants. Taller drivers might have wished for more telescopic extension from the steering wheel. The rear seats provided plenty of headroom and thigh support, with a flat floor reducing the penalty for centre-seat passengers. Cargo capacity was 459 litres behind the rear seats, with a large bin underneath the floor for additional storage. The rear seatbacks folded flat with the cargo floor, and release latches were easily accessible. While there was no frunk, the Bolt offered ample storage for personal items, including a large bin with movable dividers, a big floor tray, and a deep centre armrest bin.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 featured a significant infotainment upgrade with a 12.9-inch touchscreen on all trims, and a 15.6-inch unit available on the GT trim. The system included Google built-in, offering native Google Maps, the Google Gemini AI voice assistant, and access to the Google Play Store. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, with wireless connectivity on higher trims. A 10.2-inch fully digital instrument cluster was standard, though its execution left room for improvement. The loss of a physical volume knob was a drawback, and the climate control interface was not intuitive. Higher trims added features like a Bose 12-speaker audio system, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 360-degree View Monitor.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt came with an 11-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.3-inch centre touchscreen, running on a Google-based operating system. Apple CarPlay and standalone Android Auto were not supported, but Bluetooth pairing allowed for music streaming. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, a digital rear-view mirror, and a wireless charging pad. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with logical menus and sharp graphics. It also offered navigation with charging station suggestions and vehicle-to-load charging capability, allowing the Bolt to serve as a backup power source.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 boasted a comprehensive standard safety suite, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind spot monitors, and more. The GT trim added an adaptive front-lighting system, while the Premium Package included advanced features like front cross-traffic alert and a driver monitoring system. Although crash test results were not available, the outgoing model had a strong safety track record, and expectations were high for the new CX-5.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt's crash test results were also unavailable, but it was expected to perform well based on its platform. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitors. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system and other safety features. GM's Super Cruise hands-free automated highway driving system was available for an additional cost, making the Bolt one of the few budget EVs with such an advanced system.