2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2026 Mazda CX-5

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 was a visual standout in its segment, thanks to its evolved Kodo design language, which Mazda referred to as "Wearable Gear." This design gave the CX-5 a sculpted and purposeful appearance, with a Signature Wing grille that seamlessly flowed into new LED headlights. The rear featured angular lighting that tied the CX-5 to Mazda's larger models, and a new "MAZDA" script badge replaced the traditional logo, giving the vehicle an upscale look. However, the wheel designs were a letdown, with the base 17-inch wheels appearing small on the larger body, and even the 19-inch options lacking intricate detailing. Inside, the CX-5 continued Mazda's tradition of high-quality interiors, featuring a clean dashboard design, a prominent central touchscreen, and a driver-focused cockpit. The materials used were a step above the competition, with soft-touch surfaces and a two-tone interior option on upper trims. Leather seating on the Premium and Premium Plus trims added to the upscale ambiance, although some hard plastic elements detracted slightly from the overall premium feel.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, refreshed four years into its lifecycle, retained its upright stance and large windows, but introduced a new illuminated grille and welcome-lighting sequence inspired by the all-electric Wagoneer S. The new Upland trim added front recovery hooks without compromising the elegant design. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer boasted a modern interior with clean design and strong horizontal lines. While the 12-inch infotainment screen seemed small for such a large vehicle, it was complemented by redundant HVAC and audio controls. The seats, though plain in appearance, were comfortable and highly adjustable, making long drives pleasant. The cabin featured premium materials, with Nappa and Palermo leather available on upper trims, and a suede headliner option. The overall fit and finish were impressive, with solid-feeling components throughout the interior.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5's performance was a mixed bag. It was powered by a carryover SkyActiv-G 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While these figures were adequate on paper, the engine felt underpowered in practice, especially given the vehicle's weight of 3,856 pounds. The lack of power was noticeable during highway merging and passing maneuvers, with a 0-60 time of 9.6 seconds, the slowest in its segment. The six-speed automatic transmission, though smooth, lacked the responsiveness of competitors' eight-speed units. The absence of the previous generation's turbocharged engine was felt, but Mazda confirmed a hybrid variant for 2027. Despite the power shortcomings, the CX-5 excelled in handling, with direct steering, well-managed body roll, and a sense of agility. Ride quality was firm yet comfortable, and improved insulation reduced road and wind noise. However, its fuel economy of 24 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 26 combined mpg was among the lowest in its class.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a standard 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 420 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided smooth and effortless power, even in a vehicle weighing around 6,000 pounds. Although the high-output Hurricane engine was no longer available, the standard engine still offered ample power. The Grand Wagoneer was also set to receive a range-extended electric powertrain, delivering an estimated 647 hp and 620 lb-ft of torque, with a total range of over 500 miles. Despite its large size, the Grand Wagoneer was surprisingly agile and easy to drive, with excellent visibility and the ability to absorb road imperfections. The seats were comfortable for long drives, and the vehicle remained quiet on the road.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5's dimensional growth translated into a more spacious interior. The 4.5-inch wheelbase stretch improved rear knee clearance by 2.3 inches, providing 33.7 inches of space. A 6'1" test driver found ample room in any seat. Rear headroom was a standout feature, with 40.2 inches without the sunroof, the best in its class. Front legroom matched the segment at 41.3 inches, while rear legroom was competitive at 39.1 inches. Cargo space improved to 38 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 70 cubic feet with the seats folded. However, towing capacity decreased to 1,500 pounds. Practical touches included a rearview camera with dynamic guidelines, roof rails, and a hands-free power liftgate on higher trims.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer excelled as a people mover, with three rows offering ample leg and hip room. The optional bench seat in the second row allowed for seating up to eight passengers, with the third row accommodating three people comfortably. While using the third row reduced cargo space to 27.9 cubic feet, a long-wheelbase version increased it to 42.6 cubic feet. The Grand Wagoneer could tow up to 10,000 pounds when properly equipped. Features like three-zone automatic climate controls, heated-and-ventilated front seats, and power-operated seats added to the comfort. The Upland trim included Quadra-Lift air suspension, front recovery hooks, skid plates, and all-terrain tires for light off-roading.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 received a significant infotainment upgrade, featuring a 12.9-inch touchscreen on most trims, with a 15.6-inch unit on the Premium Plus. The system was responsive and visually clear, with Google built-in as a standout feature. This included Google Maps, the Google Gemini AI voice assistant, and access to the Google Play Store. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, with wireless connectivity on higher trims. A 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster was standard, though it lacked some expected information. The removal of the physical volume knob was a drawback, with volume control moved to the touchscreen or steering wheel buttons. Higher trims added a Bose 12-speaker audio system, SiriusXM satellite radio, and advanced safety features.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12-inch touchscreen display, a 10.25-inch digital cluster, and a wireless phone charger. However, the charger had issues with overheating. The infotainment screen, while generous in size, felt small for the vehicle's size. Higher trims offered a front console cooler, digital rearview mirror, a 23-speaker McIntosh premium sound system, and four-zone climate controls. The removal of adjustable pedals was noted, with only the Lincoln Navigator and Ford Expedition retaining this feature.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 boasted a comprehensive standard safety suite, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitors, and more. The Premium Plus trim added advanced features like an adaptive front-lighting system and a 360-degree View Monitor. While crash test results were pending, the outgoing model had a strong safety record, and expectations were high for the new model.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was equipped with safety features such as lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, and rear cross-traffic alert. Available features included automated parking assist and a surround-view camera system. The Grand Wagoneer received fair ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, with some lower scores in crash tests.