It may seem strange to be highlighting a new car’s tech interface in a news story, but in the case of the Mazda CX-5, it’s a bit of a different story.
You see, for years, Mazdas – not just the CX-5, mind, but pretty much all of them – were so good in so many ways that they were almost perfect. The value they presented, their styling, their dynamics; all of it was top grade.
And for many, all of it was let down by what’s quickly becoming/has become the be all, end all in the consumer car and truck world: the infotainment system. Mazda used pretty much the same non-touchscreen, non-CarPlay (for a time; it could eventually be retrofitted) design for what seemed like an eternity. It wasn’t until the redesigned Mazda3 debuted in 2019 that we finally saw something new, something that had Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Still, even those apps required the use of a scroll wheel, as there was no touch interface. A quasi-touch interface came a little later in the CX-50 crossover, operating via touch only when using Android Auto or CarPlay. Otherwise, we were still scrolling and clicking.
Well, with the release of the all-new CX-5 next year, that’s all about to change. It’s getting a touch interface with Google Built-In tech, which means standard Google Maps, Gemini-powered Google Assistant, Google Play and the ability to log in to your own Google account and call up previous navigation destinations, lists, et cetera. Keen-eyed Mazda-philes will remember that the brand has been steadfast in its belief that all-touch interfaces are too distracting to drivers. With the new system, Mazda is combatting against distraction by offering a hybrid approach. Firstly, it can all be displayed on an available easy-to-read 15.6-inch display (12.9” is standard; that’s the upgraded option in the current system) and there are new wheel-mounted controls for even better driver interaction, and less driver distraction. Further, since front passengers doesn’t have a steering wheel in front of them, they’re well cared for thanks to docked shortcuts for climate controls and other common commands.
With Gemini power, you can now use the “Hey, Google” command to adjust your climate settings, your audio settings and even tell you which side your gas cap is on. Our guess is you’ll figure that one out eventually on your own, but still…
You’ll be able to experience it all for yourself when the 2026 Mazda CX-5 hits showrooms early next year.