Mazda unveiled the all-new CX-5 a few months ago, and one of the major talking points was its new user interface, now dominated by a large touchscreen. Many Mazda fans were critical of the layout, since the Japanese automaker was one of the last to make the switch to this Tesla-like interface. Perhaps in response, Mazda has released a new video with Matthew Valbuena, the brand’s Project Manager for In-Vehicle Technologies & HMI. In it, Valbuena highlights the new layout’s many advantages while doubling down on the system’s ability to help the driver stay focused on the road.
Ease of Use Comes First
Mazda
Despite the absence of physical controls, Mazda insists the new layout is easy to get to grips with.
"Our goal with the 2026 CX-5 was to make technology easy to use while keeping the driver focused on the road," Valbuena said. "A great deal of research and testing went into developing Mazda's latest infotainment system, and we believe it is well positioned to feel familiar to how customers interact with smartphone-like devices."
Manufacturers’ obsession with designing “smartphone-like” interfaces is puzzling, given that operating a smartphone doesn’t require manipulating a 4,000-pound vehicle at the same time. Most of the time, we can dedicate our full attention to our phones, but that doesn’t apply when driving a car.
Nevertheless, Mazda believes the CX-5’s new interface works well by reducing cognitive, visual, and manual cognitive distractions. Along with Google built-in and voice controls, Mazda has focused on minimizing the driver’s glance angle, which relates to how far away from the road the driver has to move their eyes to perform a task. Here’s how it all comes together.
Related: New Safety Rules Will Reward Physical Buttons Over Distracting Touchscreens
New Digital Driver’s Display and Steering Wheel
Mazda
All 2026 CX-5s now have a 10.25-inch digital instrument display with a new graphic interface. Together with the new steering wheel, heads-up display, and touchscreen, all are optimized to work together to make seeing and accessing key functions simpler.
Turn-by-turn navigation or seeing incoming calls are some of the new capabilities of the driver’s display, aimed at putting more important information in the driver’s line of sight. A minimalist display can also reduce the amount of info shown, should you choose to use it.
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Here are a few other enhancements Mazda has implemented:
- A larger head-up display
- New steering wheel controls
- Google built-in
- Gemini AI assistant
- Dedicated driver profiles
- 12.9- or 15.6-inch touchscreens
On the steering wheel, more adjustments can be made while still keeping your hands in the ideal driving position. All functions on the left of the steering wheel handle infotainment, while the right side focuses on driver-assistance functions like adaptive cruise control. Google Gemini can respond to detailed navigational requests, and it can also adjust climate control, radio stations, or send text messages—all via voice control.
Mazda
The new touchscreens support drag-and-drop, pinch-to-zoom, and swiping movements, much as your smartphone would. Mazda claims the system is intuitive for a wider range of users, even if it means dispensing with the older rotary controller.
Unlike GM’s intention to scrap Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in its vehicles, Mazda will retain these familiar smartphone-mirroring features.
Related: 2025 Mazda CX-5 vs 2026 Mazda CX-5: What's the Big Deal?
Final Thoughts
As convincing as the CX-5’s new interface appears in the new video, we’ll have to wait until we can spend enough time behind the wheel to see if the design is a success. We appreciate that Mazda seems to have gone to great lengths to reduce driver distraction, and designing the digital instrument display, steering wheel controls, and touchscreen to work together harmoniously is a smart move.
The 2026 Mazda CX-5 will go on sale early next year.
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