Why the 2026 Mazda CX-5 Continues to Feature a Traditional Six-Speed Transmission

      Mazda

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      Believe it or not, the Mazda CX-5 featured here is new. While the design bears a strong resemblance to its predecessor, that’s not necessarily a negative aspect. Even the powertrain remains unchanged, including the six-speed automatic transmission. This makes it a bit unique, especially as many new vehicles have transitioned to eight-speed or higher transmissions. We were curious about Mazda's choice to retain the traditional gearbox, and since one of the company's executives had time to discuss it with us before the car's launch, we asked.

      Stefan Meisterfeld, vice president of strategic planning for Mazda North America, explained, “The six-speed transmission pairs very well with our current Skyactiv-G engine, so we didn’t feel the need to alter the setup. It’s very linear and direct. The feedback we've received from our customers and the press indicates that this is a great combination. Therefore, we didn’t plan to change this, at least not at the launch.”

      It's accurate that the CX-5 has consistently been a commendable driver. While it may not be a Miata, it’s evident that those who develop the MX-5 are also behind this four-door, five-seater family vehicle. The Skyactiv-G engine mentioned by Meisterfeld is a notable element of the formula, as its spirited performance is attributed to high compression (13:1) rather than a turbocharger. Consequently, there’s less torque, making it rational to have fewer gears to avoid unnecessary searching for the powerband.

      Indeed, the power figures for the 2026 Mazda CX-5 mirror those of the previous model, boasting 187 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque. While that’s on the lower side, and though the formula worked well in its predecessor, we’ll have to assess its performance with the new CX-5, which is significantly larger (increased by 4.5 inches in overall length) and heavier. Mazda has yet to disclose how much additional weight it has gained.

      Meisterfeld reassures that it will still provide sufficient power.

      “Our engineers, as you likely know, are quite passionate about our driving DNA and the fun-to-drive aspect,” he noted. “They are still fine-tuning the vehicle to ensure it maintains the same performance you expect from the current CX-5, despite its larger size. While we cannot defy physics, and the car will inevitably be somewhat heavier, our engineers are doing everything possible to preserve our driving DNA in this vehicle, and I’m very confident you will be pleased when you drive it.”

      If anyone knows how to make a slower car feel speedy, it’s Mazda. I want to trust them on this.

      As for the six-speed automatic, I have faith that it will perform adequately. We will see if it remains in the hybrid CX-5 set to arrive in 2027, which will feature the new Skyactiv-Z powertrain. When asked about this and if the compatibility of the six-speed with the system influenced the decision to keep it, Meisterfeld did not provide further specifics at this time.

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