2026 Mazda CX-5 Interior

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 interior has a roomier cabin and a larger touchscreen, and the seating has been refined. The CX-5 still seats five in two rows, and the second row gets the most attention. If you want to see how it fits your routine, browse new Mazda CX-5 inventory and plan a visit.

Below, we walk through the seats, rear bench, upholstery, tech and the comfort upgrades that separate each trim, so you can find the CX-5 cabin that fits the way you drive.

2026 Mazda CX-5 Interior at a Glance

Mazda redesigned the cabin with more passenger space and wider rear-door openings. Improved insulation cuts wind and road noise. Rear legroom and headroom are up, cargo space grew too, and Mazda has streamlined how you interact with the cabin. The lineup runs from 2.5 S through 2.5 S Select, 2.5 S Preferred, 2.5 S Premium and 2.5 S Premium Plus, and each trim carries the preceding trim’s equipment except where noted. Fuel use matters too, so see our 2026 Mazda CX-5 MPG guide.

Key Cabin Features Eugene Drivers Will Notice

A lower, horizontally arranged dashboard and a simplified center console give the cabin a more open look. Soft-touch surfaces and integrated trim details add to the upscale feel. For Eugene commuters and families, the practical wins are easier rear-door access, more passenger space and a larger cargo area.

You don’t need the top trim to enjoy these changes. Every trim has the reclining 40:20:40 split rear seatback, a center armrest on the rear bench and dual-zone automatic climate control.

Standard 12.9-Inch Display and Core Specs

A 12.9-inch center touchscreen is standard on the 2.5 S, Select, Preferred and Premium. Premium Plus steps up to a 15.6-inch display. It replaces the previous generation’s smaller display and console rotary controller.

All trims also include a 10.25-inch LCD meter display, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, two front Type-C USB ports and two 12-volt outlets.

Front Seat Comfort and Driver Ergonomics

Redesigned cushioning and supportive contours, paired with slimmer seatbacks, keep you comfortable on long drives while freeing up more space in the cabin. It’s an ergonomic design built around how you actually sit, and the best way to appreciate it is to spend a few minutes in the driver’s seat yourself.

Adjustable Front Seats and Visibility

Preferred, Premium and Premium Plus have a 10-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar support and 2-position memory. Premium and Premium Plus add a 6-way power front passenger seat. Power seats aren’t standard across the lineup, so check the trim you’re considering.

For visibility, the full-color Active Driving Display projects information onto the windshield. It’s standard on Preferred, Premium and Premium Plus, and the 10.25-inch LCD meter display sits in the instrument cluster. Judge outward visibility from your own preferred seating position.

Dashboard Layout and Controls

You’ll control most things through the touchscreen and steering-wheel buttons, or simply by speaking to the hands-free Google Assistant. With fewer physical buttons and knobs than before, the dashboard looks cleaner and more modern, and if you’re coming from an older CX-5 with a rotary controller, a quick test drive is the easiest way to get comfortable with the new layout.

Select through Premium add a frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a Homelink garage door opener arrives with Preferred.

Rear Seat Space and Reclining Bench Comfort

The back seat changes the most. The 40:20:40 split seatback folds down and reclines on all trims, and the bench has a center armrest. Select and up add rear-seat air vents. Folding and reclining are separate functions, so test both.

Legroom, Headroom and Passenger Comfort

Rear passengers get 39.9 inches of legroom, with 5.2 inches of knee clearance, and 40.2 inches of headroom without a sunroof (39.1 inches with the Premium’s panoramic sunroof).

The redesign gives adults over six feet tall more room to stretch out, so tall passengers can ride comfortably on a weekend trip to the coast or the Cascades. Cargo space grows too, with more room for luggage, gear and groceries.

Fitting Car Seats and Tall Passengers

Child seats fit in any rear seating position, and LATCH anchors and upper tether anchors are standard across trims. Wider door openings help when you’re loading a restraint in the rain. A roomier cabin doesn’t guarantee every seat fits equally well, so bring your own and install it with the front seats set for their usual occupants.

Ready to try the rear bench? Schedule a test drive and bring the people who ride along most.

Upholstery by Trim: Cloth, Leatherette and Leather

Upholstery is only part of the trim story, since seat heating, ventilation, audio and display also change. Cloth and leatherette are different materials from leather, so compare the full seating package. The table below shows each trim’s setup.

Dual-zone automatic climate control is standard on every trim.

For Mazda CX-5 interior colors, the 2.5 S comes in black cloth. Select and Preferred are offered in black and white leatherette with microsuede. Premium and Premium Plus come in black and Sport Tan leather. If you want a Mazda CX-5 black interior, it’s available across the lineup. Whatever the material, plan on routine cleaning and care, and our service department can help with upkeep questions.

Tech, Audio and Climate Features

The 2026 CX-5 gives you two ways to connect: Google built-in services work right from the dashboard, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto mirror your phone’s apps on the screen. Here’s how the tech steps up by trim.

12.9-Inch Touchscreen and Connectivity

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. The 2.5 S connects by wire, and wireless is listed from Select up. Wireless phone charging also starts at Select. Premium and Premium Plus add two rear Type-C USB ports.

Google built-in navigation, including Google Maps, and the Google Assistant voice assistant come with a one-year free period.

12-Speaker Bose Audio on Premium and Above

The 2.5 S, Select and Preferred have an 8-speaker system with HD Radio. Premium and Premium Plus move up to 12-speaker Bose audio and SiriusXM 360L. If audio matters most, that’s the threshold to know.

Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control

Dual-zone automatic climate control lets front occupants set separate temperatures, and it’s standard on every trim. Rear vents from Select up extend airflow to the second row. They don’t add a third climate zone.

Preferred vs. Premium: Comfort Upgrades for Wet Willamette Valley Winters

Cold, damp mornings in the Willamette Valley make the equipment list worth reading closely. Here, we compare what each trim adds in direct-contact warmth and comfort. For a fuller breakdown, read our 2026 Mazda CX-5 Preferred vs. Premium comparison.

Heated Front Seats and Heated Steering Wheel on Preferred

The Preferred is where winter comfort starts. It adds heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, so you feel warmth right where you touch the car on those chilly, damp Eugene mornings, plus a windshield wiper de-icer to help clear frost faster. You also get a 10-way power driver’s seat with memory, a power rear liftgate and a HomeLink garage door opener.

Ventilated Front Seats, Heated Rear Seats and Leather on Premium

Premium adds ventilated front seats and heated rear seats, along with leather and a 6-way power passenger seat. Ventilation moves air at the seat surface rather than heating it, so it helps in warm weather too. Heated rear seats mostly benefit households that carry second-row passengers often.

Premium also brings a panoramic sunroof and Bose audio, plus color-selectable ambient lighting. The trade-off is clear: if you want ventilation, rear heating or leather, you need Premium. Premium Plus adds the 15.6-inch display and a driver personalization system.

Which Trim Fits Your Eugene Lifestyle

Match the trim to how you use the cabin.

If you commute, Preferred adds heated seats, a heated steering wheel, driver-seat memory and the Active Driving Display. Families get more from Premium, which adds heated rear seats and a 6-way power passenger seat. For cold-weather comfort, Preferred covers heated front seats and the steering wheel, while Premium adds ventilation and rear heating.

FAQs About the 2026 Mazda CX-5 Interior

Which 2026 Mazda CX-5 trims have heated seats? Preferred has heated front seats. Premium and Premium Plus add ventilated front seats and heated rear seats.

Is the 2026 CX-5 cargo space larger? Yes, Mazda describes cargo space as increased. We do not list volume figures here.

Do car seats fit in the rear? Child seats fit in any rear seating position, and LATCH and upper tether anchors are standard. Bring your own seat to check the fit.

Is leather available? Leather is on Premium and Premium Plus. Select and Preferred use leatherette with microsuede inserts.

Does the rear bench recline? Yes, the 40:20:40 split rear seatback folds down and reclines on all trims.

Is the CX-5 a three-row SUV? No, it has two rows and seats up to five.

Explore CX-5 Inventory and Experience the Interior at Kiefer Mazda

The best way to experience the 2026 Mazda CX-5’s redesigned cabin is to sit in it yourself. Slide into the driver’s seat, feel the heated steering wheel, try the 12.9-inch touchscreen, then climb into the back and recline the rear seats.

Explore our current CX-5 inventory to compare trims side by side, then schedule a visit to Kiefer Mazda at 383 Goodpasture Island Road in Eugene, and we’ll have the trims you’re considering ready so you can find your favorite cabin in person.