Don't you guys think the place of wireless charging and cup holders must be exchanged?
If I want to put my bottle into the cup holder I have to lean forward back and forth but if it was right there for example like Mazda 6 it would be more convenient
If you live in the United States and visit a phone carrier store, you’ll usually see display phones attached to a security holder to prevent theft. Sometimes those holders grip the phone so tightly that it makes you wonder if they could damage the screen over time.
I’m wondering if this could be a similar situation here. Do you guys think this setup could damage the screen? Has anyone purchased this item or had any experience with it?
I want this for 2026 CX 5
It’s no secret that Mazda in the United States is being carried almost entirely by the CX‑5. The Mazda 3 sells okay, but nowhere near what it should. The Mazda 6 is gone. The new CX‑70 and CX‑90 are selling far below expectations. Even the CX‑50 is struggling to gain traction.
And now there’s a new problem: a lot of people really dislike the 2026 CX‑5 interior especially the removal of physical buttons. Sales people are reporting that the redesigned CX‑5 is hard to move, and early sales numbers for the first two months are significantly lower than the previous generation.
So if buyers reject the new CX‑5 the brand’s only consistently strong seller what does that mean for Mazda’s future in the U.S.? Is this the beginning of the end for Mazda here?
Edit Note: I really love Mazda and I would love this brand to succeed but CX 5 is a mess and I also really wish that we could have Mazda 6 for the US market.
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Before I get into my thoughts, a bit of context: I work for dealerships, and I’ve driven a lot of cars across almost every brand. I’ve been driving for about 24 years, and the only cars I’ve personally owned have been Mazdas.
Below is a combined list of pros and cons based on my real‑world experience with the 2026 CX‑5 Premium Plus.
Exterior Design
The exterior design is genuinely beautiful—easily one of the best‑looking crossovers in its price range, and even better than some more expensive models. The taillights look fantastic. However, the headlights are a mixed bag. The base model has a square daytime running light at the bottom, but on higher trims that area is just… blank. It looks unfinished, like a missing fog light. On a $40k Premium Plus, that shouldn’t be the case.
Mazda includes adaptive headlights, which I appreciate, but the movement is oddly choppy. When you turn the wheel, the beam doesn’t glide smoothly—it breaks in steps, and it looks a bit comical.
And then there’s the piano black. Humanity has been begging manufacturers to stop using piano black, so Mazda removed it from the interior… and put it on the outside. The entire rear bumper and lower front bumper—some of the most vulnerable areas—are piano black. Why?
Interior & Driving Experience
Performance
On paper, this is a slow car. But in real driving, it doesn’t feel slow at all. For everyday use, the acceleration is totally acceptable, and the driving experience is genuinely enjoyable. If you drag race it, sure, it’ll feel underpowered—but for normal driving, it’s perfectly fine.
Handling
Handling is excellent. The steering is direct, communicative, and engaging. The gas pedal and brakes feel perfectly tuned.
Active Sound Enhancement
Mazda pumps fake engine noise through the speakers. It’s unnecessary, annoying, and sometimes downright stupid. This isn’t a performance car, and even if it were, the sound is overdone. There should be a simple way to turn it off—without jailbreaking or cutting wires.
The Infotainment Screen
The elephant in the room: the screen and the removal of physical buttons.
Yes, you can use the screen. But physical buttons are easier, faster, and more intuitive. And it’s not just about practicality—it's about design and human emotion. Just like we decorate our homes because it’s visually pleasing, cars need visual structure. When you strip away climate control buttons, the interior starts to feel like a blank white room. It’s cost‑cutting disguised as “minimalism.”
Software Issues
Mazda switched to an Android‑based system, and it’s honestly terrible. The older Mazda Connect system was far better.
I’ve had multiple errors:
Emergency Call Unit Malfunction — triggers a loud beep and a warning on the cluster. Dealer says, “We’re waiting for an update.”
This is a car, not a phone app. It shouldn’t need a patch to function.
i‑Activesense Disabled / Control Unit Malfunction — happened a few times.
Apps don’t work at all — no Play Store, no YouTube, nothing. Dealer says there’s nothing they can do.
I paid over $40k. “There’s nothing we can do” is not an acceptable answer.
Steering Wheel Controls
The capacitive steering wheel buttons are not good. Sometimes I try to lower the volume and instead it changes the cluster screen or skips a track. Adjusting sensitivity doesn’t help much.
Panoramic Roof
Thank God Mazda included a shade for the panoramic roof. In California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas—any hot climate—too much light is miserable. People tint their windows for a reason. Humans don’t want constant sunlight blasting into their eyes. Tesla and similar brands seem to forget this. Mazda didn’t.
Audio & Other Interior Notes
The Bose system is excellent.
The doors and handles feel solid and premium.
The backup and 360° cameras work perfectly.
The key fob button layout is bad—I’ve accidentally opened the liftgate while away from the car. Disabling the feature helps, but Mazda needs a redesign.
The wiper system is fantastic—fluid goes exactly where it should without making a mess.
The black wheels look great and hide brake dust well.
Ride quality is very good, but the fake engine noise ruins it.
Final Verdict
If you ask me whether I’d buy this car again if I could go back, the answer is no.
Just curious to get your thoughts
In 2026, if you're deciding between the CX-5 and the 50, how would you choose between them and why?
They're priced pretty similarly, so what factors would make you lean one way or the other?
Anyone knows why wireless charging doesn't work for my Google Pixel 10 Pro XL but it works fine for iPhone and Samsung phones?
I disable to NFC and removed the phone case but there are not playing a roll!
For my 26 CX 5 dealership says Mazda is aware of the issue and update will come but, if the car cannot connect to any services and cannot communicate, I'm wondering how is an update going to come?
Will it come in form if a recall so I have to visit the dealer?
I bought the new 2026 CX-5 & I need advice
I'm getting an error on the screen & right side speaker is beeping loud when I turn if the car saying " emergency call unit malfunction see dealer" The dealer in California saying it's juts a glitch and we are waiting on an update from Mazda, but this is so annoying.
Also the deck lid/ lift gate my car has been opened by itself for 3 times! Anyone knows how this can be fixed?
I'm lucky no one got into my car.
Also the car is keep asking me to" sign into a network"! I don't even know what that is or what is it for but when I click on it it's saying network not available!