The current Mazda CX-5 is on its way out, but is the Carbon Edition still worth buying? We break down pricing, performance, and whether to wait for the new model.
Mazda CX-5 Carbon Edition Review (2026): Buy Now or Wait?
Buying a car just as its replacement lands is usually a bad idea — except when it isn’t. With the third-generation Mazda CX-5 due imminently, the outgoing CX-5 Carbon Edition suddenly looks like either a clearance-sale opportunity or a car you’d be foolish to buy new. We spent time in the range-topping model to work out which one it actually is.
Quick Verdict
We like: Genuinely engaging steering and handling for a family SUV; a cabin that still feels premium despite its age; a strong 5-year warranty, service plan, and roadside assistance package.
We don’t like: The naturally aspirated engine needs revs to feel quick, which hurts real-world fuel economy; the infotainment system’s rotary-controller-only setup feels dated next to touchscreen rivals.
If you can live with an unhurried engine in exchange for a properly sorted chassis and Mazda’s five-year cover, the outgoing CX-5 still earns its keep — especially if dealers are discounting stock to clear the way for its replacement.
What Does R688,400 Buy You in the Carbon Edition?
The current CX-5 line-up sits at R570,500 for the Active, R617,900 for the Dynamic, and R688,400 for the range-topping Carbon Edition, with pricing current as of July 2026. Every derivative shares the same 121 kW engine, so the price climb across the range buys you equipment and trim rather than extra performance.
That’s backed by a 5-year/unlimited-kilometre manufacturer warranty, matching service plan and roadside assistance, with 15,000 km service intervals — a genuinely reassuring ownership package that plenty of newer rivals still don’t match.
Cabin Quality vs Cabin Tech: A Generational Trade-Off
Step inside, and it’s obvious this is an older design, but not in a bad way. Mazda’s cabin materials and switchgear still feel a cut above most mainstream SUVs of this age, and the Carbon Edition trim’s added extras — parking sensors, a head-up display, adaptive LED headlamps — round out a genuinely well-equipped package for the money.
Where it shows its age is in infotainment. The screen relies on a rotary dial rather than touch input, which takes some adjustment if you’re used to tapping and swiping. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are included, softening that blow somewhat, but shoppers cross-shopping newer rivals will notice the gap immediately.
Naturally Aspirated Power: Charming, But You’ll Work For It
The CX-5’s core engine is a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol producing 121 kW, paired with a six-speed automatic — a genuinely unusual choice in a segment now dominated by smaller turbocharged units. It’s smooth and predictable, but you need to use the rev range to extract real performance, which works against Mazda’s claimed combined fuel consumption of 6.9 litres per 100 km in everyday driving.
If effortless overtaking and low-rev torque matter more to you than outright driving engagement, this is the CX-5’s one genuine weak point against turbocharged competitors.
How It Drives: Still One of the Segment’s Best-Handling Family SUVs
This is where the CX-5 has always punched above its badge. The steering feels direct and well-weighted, body control through corners is tighter than most family SUVs bother with, and the ride strikes a rare balance between composure and comfort. It’s the kind of family SUV that makes a school run feel mildly enjoyable — not something you can say about every rival in this bracket.
Should You Wait for the New CX-5 Instead?
The third-generation CX-5 is expected to arrive with a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre petrol engine, with mild-hybrid power potentially joining the range down the line. Pricing hasn’t been confirmed, but a meaningful increase over current levels is a safe bet given how model generations typically land in this market.
That timing gap is exactly why the outgoing CX-5 is worth a serious look right now — dealers clearing remaining stock ahead of a new generation often means real, negotiable savings on a car that isn’t going to feel outdated the day you drive it home.
The Bottom Line
The Mazda CX-5 Carbon Edition closes out its generation the same way it started: as one of the more satisfying family SUVs to actually drive, even if its infotainment system and thirsty-when-pushed engine show their age. If the price is right, it remains an easy car to recommend.
Thinking about cross-shopping before you commit? auto24.co.za is worth a browse for second-hand CX-5s and rivals in this bracket, especially if you’d rather sidestep new-car depreciation altogether. And if you’re weighing up whether an electrified SUV might suit your next move better, EV24.africa is a useful place to explore what’s coming to the South African market. For more independent reviews like this one, check back on imotonews.co.za.
