Nearly every vehicle function now lives within a massive central touchscreen
In the steady rhythm of automotive generations, Mazda's third-generation CX-5 has arrived at Malaysia's doorstep — larger, more connected, and more technologically assured than the model it seeks to transcend. Unveiled at the Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show and open for reservation from June 12, the new SUV carries an estimated starting price of RM170,000 and is expected to reach buyers between July and September 2026. Its arrival marks not a rupture but a deliberate evolution, as distributor Bermaz Motor navigates the delicate task of retiring one generation while welcoming another — each coexisting on the same showroom floor, differentiated by engine, price, and purpose.
- Mazda's most popular SUV nameplate is growing up — the third-generation CX-5 is meaningfully bigger, smarter, and more expensive than the car it replaces, raising the stakes for buyers and the brand alike.
- Bookings open June 12 but a firm launch date remains unconfirmed, leaving eager buyers in a holding pattern as Bermaz Motor targets a Q3 2026 release window.
- The fully-imported CBU model will carry a premium price tag estimated from RM170,000, with local CKD assembly — and likely lower pricing — still 12 to 16 months away.
- To prevent the new and old CX-5 from cannibalising each other on the lot, Bermaz is quietly demoting the outgoing model by removing its 2.5-litre engine option, forcing a cleaner price and spec divide.
- The cabin has undergone a philosophical shift — Mazda's beloved rotary commander knob is gone, replaced by a 15.6-inch Android Automotive touchscreen that hands the infotainment experience over to Google's ecosystem.
- A 115mm wheelbase stretch, brake-by-wire technology, and CX-60-inspired taillights signal that this is no mere facelift — the third-generation CX-5 is repositioning itself as a genuine step upmarket.
Mazda's third-generation CX-5 made its Malaysian debut this week at the Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show, with bookings opening June 12 and an estimated starting price of RM170,000. Distributor Bermaz Motor has not confirmed a hard launch date, but a Q3 2026 release — sometime between July and September — is the working target. The vehicle will arrive initially as a fully-imported unit, with local assembly following roughly 12 to 16 months later.
The new CX-5 is a substantially larger machine than its predecessor. At 4,690mm long with a 2,815mm wheelbase — 115mm more than before — it promises a more spacious cabin and a more grounded road presence. The design evolves Mazda's Kodo language through a 'Wearable Gear' concept, bringing a bold seven-point grille, stacked daytime running lights, squared wheel arches, and L-shaped rear lamps borrowed from the larger CX-60 and CX-80. Under the bonnet sits Mazda's e-Skyactiv G 2.5-litre four-cylinder paired with a 24-volt mild hybrid system, producing 141hp and 238Nm through a six-speed automatic.
Inside, the rotary commander knob that once defined Mazda's infotainment experience has been retired. A 15.6-inch Android Automotive touchscreen now anchors the minimalist cabin, complemented by a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. The preview car showed an all-wheel drive configuration, though final specifications remain subject to change before launch.
To manage the transition, Bermaz Motor will sell both the second and third-generation CX-5 simultaneously. The older model will lose its 2.5-litre engine option and be offered only with a 2.0-litre unit, preserving a clear distinction between the two. With the current range-topping second-gen variant priced at just under RM165,000, the new model's RM170,000 entry point positions it as a deliberate step upmarket — more capable, more connected, and priced to match.
Mazda's third-generation CX-5 is coming to Malaysia. The compact SUV, which debuted globally last June, made its first official appearance in the country this week at the Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show, and starting tomorrow, June 12, interested buyers can place a reservation. Bermaz Motor, the distributor, hasn't yet announced a firm launch date, but internal projections point to sometime between July and September of this year. The asking price is estimated at RM170,000 and up.
The new CX-5 arrives as a fully-imported vehicle initially, shipped complete from the factory. Local assembly will begin roughly 12 to 16 months after launch, according to Bermaz Motor's executive chairman Tan Sri Ben Yeoh. During that transition period, both the outgoing second-generation model and the new third-generation will be sold side by side on Malaysian lots. To avoid direct competition between them, the older CX-5 will be stripped of its 2.5-litre engine option and offered only with a 2.0-litre unit, while the new model will exclusively carry the larger 2.5-litre powerplant.
That new engine is Mazda's e-Skyactiv G, a naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol unit paired with a 24-volt mild hybrid system. It produces 141 horsepower and 238 newton-metres of torque, routed to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. The preview car on display featured all-wheel drive, though Bermaz Motor cautioned that final specifications may shift before the official launch. The new CX-5 also introduces a brake-by-wire system and revised suspension geometry aimed at sharpening handling and smoothing the ride.
At first glance, the third-generation CX-5 looks like an evolution of its predecessor—the family resemblance is clear. But the numbers tell a different story. The new model stretches 4,690 millimetres long, 1,860 millimetres wide, and 1,695 millimetres tall. That's 115 millimetres longer, 15 millimetres wider, and 15 millimetres taller than the car it replaces. The wheelbase has grown by the same 115 millimetres to 2,815 millimetres, a substantial increase that should translate to more interior space and a more planted stance on the road.
Design-wise, Mazda has refreshed its signature Kodo language through what the company calls the 'Wearable Gear' concept. The result is a large seven-point grille anchored by a black frame that ties together slim headlamps fitted with stacked daytime running lights. The wheel arches are gently squared off, the roofline slopes less aggressively than before, and the rear end wears L-shaped taillights borrowed from Mazda's larger CX-60 and CX-80 models. The Mazda badge has migrated from the tailgate to the boot lid, flanked by a pair of visible exhaust pipes.
Inside, the CX-5 has embraced the minimalist interior trend sweeping the industry. Nearly every vehicle function now lives within a massive central touchscreen—a design choice Mazda says customers have embraced. The preview car featured a 15.6-inch display, though a 12.9-inch version will be available. A 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster sits behind the steering wheel. Gone is the rotary commander knob that once controlled Mazda Connect, the brand's proprietary infotainment system. In its place is a thoroughly modern setup built on Android Automotive OS, granting access to Google services and the ecosystem of apps that come with them.
For context, the current second-generation CX-5 in Malaysia is offered in three flavours. The 2.0G 2WD Mid starts at RM135,469.20 on-the-road before insurance. The 2.0G 2WD High costs RM147,469.20. The 2.5G 2WD High, the range-topper, sits at RM164,960.40. Premium paint adds RM3,300 to any variant. With the new model estimated to open at RM170,000, the pricing strategy appears designed to position the third-generation as a meaningful step up—larger, more modern, and more capable—while keeping the second-generation available for buyers seeking a lower entry point.
Notable Quotes
Both the second- and third-generation CX-5 will be sold concurrently, with the older model losing its 2.5-litre engine and only offered with a 2.0-litre unit.— Tan Sri Ben Yeoh, Bermaz Motor executive chairman
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
Why does Mazda need to sell two generations of the CX-5 at the same time? That seems inefficient.
It's actually a smart move for the Malaysian market. The new car is significantly more expensive, and not everyone can afford that jump. By keeping the older model alive but neutering it—removing the 2.5-litre engine—Mazda creates a clear tier system. You get the affordable option with the 2.0-litre, or you step up to the new generation with the 2.5-litre and all the modern tech.
So the old model becomes the budget option.
Exactly. It's a way to capture buyers at different price points without cannibalizing the new car's sales. The old CX-5 becomes the entry point; the new one is the aspirational choice.
What's the significance of the Android Automotive system? Why does that matter to a buyer?
It's a generational shift. The old Mazda Connect was proprietary—closed off, limited. Android Automotive opens the car to Google services, Google Maps, Google Assistant. It's what people expect now. The removal of the commander knob isn't just about aesthetics; it's about accepting that touchscreens are the future, and Mazda is finally embracing that fully.
And the physical size increase—115 millimetres longer wheelbase—does that actually change how the car feels?
Substantially. A longer wheelbase means better stability at highway speeds, more interior room, and a smoother ride over bumps. It's not just a number; it's the difference between a car that feels cramped and one that feels spacious. For a family SUV, that matters.