Standard AWD on every trim. A 12.9-inch Google screen. Mazda-only expertise right on Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. See why Triangle drivers keep choosing the CX-5.
| 2026 Mazda CX-5 | 2026 Honda CR-V | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $29,990 WIN | $30,920 |
| All-Wheel Drive | Standard -- every trim, no upcharge WIN | Optional (extra cost on most trims) |
| Horsepower | 187 HP SKYACTIV-G 2.5L | 190 HP 1.5L Turbo |
| Fuel Economy (Combined) | 26 MPG | 28 MPG |
| Cargo (Seats Up / Down) | 33.7 / 66.5 cu ft | 39.3 / 76.5 cu ft |
| Infotainment Screen | 12.9" Google touchscreen (up to 15.6") WIN | 9" touchscreen |
| Navigation / Voice | Google Built-In standard WIN | Available on select trims only |
| Interior Quality | Soft-touch premium materials throughout WIN | Some hard plastics in cabin |
| IIHS Top Safety Pick+ | Awarded 2026 WIN | Not confirmed for 2026 |
| Warranty + Dealer Extras | 3yr/36k basic -- ask about extended warranty options | 3yr/36k basic |
Every 2026 Mazda CX-5 -- base 2.5 S through Premium Plus -- ships with i-Activ AWD. You do not pay extra. The CR-V charges more for AWD on most trims, so many buyers end up without it.
i-Activ does not wait for wheelspin. It monitors 27 data points per second and pre-distributes torque before your wheels slip. On a wet I-40 on-ramp or a glaze-iced Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd in January, that matters.
Reviewers consistently call the 2026 CX-5 cabin the most upscale in its class. Soft-touch materials, precise stitching, and a clean minimalist layout set it apart from the CR-V's hard-plastic interior.
Rear legroom grew to 39.9 inches. Rear door openings widen nearly 90 degrees for easy entry and exit. Every seat feels like it belongs in a vehicle that costs far more.
The 2026 CX-5 ships with a 12.9-inch Google touchscreen as standard. Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Play Store are built in -- no phone required. The top Premium Plus trim steps up to 15.6 inches, the largest screen Mazda has ever offered.
The CR-V base trim has a 9-inch display. Google built-in is not available on all CR-V trims. The gap is visible the moment you sit in both vehicles back to back.
The 2026 CX-5 starts at $29,990. The CR-V starts at $30,920. But the CX-5 base trim includes standard AWD and a 12.9-inch touchscreen -- items the CR-V charges more for on comparable trims.
At Sport Durst Mazda in Durham, our team is ready to walk you through current pricing, available incentives, and financing options on the 2026 CX-5. Call (919) 873-4428 or stop in on Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.
The Honda CR-V earns its reputation. It offers slightly better fuel economy, more raw cargo volume behind the rear seats, and a powertrain that many buyers find familiar. If fuel economy is your top priority, the CR-V is worth a look. That is the truth.
For most Triangle drivers -- commuting I-40 from Durham to RTP, making weekend runs to Jordan Lake on US-64, or shuttling family through Chapel Hill on US-15-501 -- the 2026 Mazda CX-5 wins on the details that actually matter day to day. Standard AWD with no upcharge. A 12.9-inch Google touchscreen that makes the CR-V's 9-inch display look years behind. An interior that genuinely feels premium. A starting price $930 below the CR-V. Sport Durst Mazda is right on Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd -- stop in and compare them side by side.
The 2026 CX-5 ships with a 12.9-inch Google touchscreen with Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Play Store. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard too. You do not need to buy a higher trim to get real navigation and voice commands.
The CR-V's 9-inch base display is functional. It is not in the same league. When you are navigating the RTP loop at 5pm or finding parking near Duke University, that 12.9-inch screen stops feeling like a feature and starts feeling like a necessity.
- 12.9-inch standard -- up to 15.6-inch on Premium Plus
- Google Maps and Google Assistant built in natively
- Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto standard
- Over-the-air software updates keep it current
Most AWD systems react after a wheel loses grip. Mazda's i-Activ AWD monitors 27 data points per second -- steering angle, throttle position, brake pressure, road surface temperature -- and adjusts torque before the slip starts.
That matters when a light ice glaze coats Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd overnight. It matters on dirt roads near Falls Lake. And it is standard on every CX-5, not a $1,500 add-on like it is on many CR-V trims.
- Standard on all 5 CX-5 trims at no extra cost
- Mi-Drive modes: Normal, Sport, Off-Road
- Proactive torque distribution -- not reactive
- CR-V AWD is optional on most trims
The all-new 2026 CX-5 is 4.5 inches longer than the outgoing model. That length went into a cargo floor two inches longer and one inch deeper. Total capacity grows to 33.7 cubic feet with seats up and 66.5 folded -- over seven cubic feet more than the previous generation.
40/20/40 split-folding rear seats let you carry long items and still seat two passengers. The CR-V offers more raw cubic feet, but the CX-5's wider door openings and lower liftover height make everyday loading easier.
- 40/20/40 split-fold rear seats
- Cargo releases accessible from inside the load area
- Low liftover height for heavy items
- Available power liftgate on upper trims
The 2026 Mazda CX-5 carries Mazda's standard 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Ask Sport Durst Mazda about additional coverage options available at time of purchase.
Sport Durst Mazda's service center on Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd is staffed by Mazda-certified technicians. Whether you are near NC State, UNC, or Research Triangle Park, the dealership serves all three Triangle markets. Contact us at (919) 536-6559 to learn about available service programs.
- Mazda-certified technicians on staff
- Serving Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill
- Genuine Mazda parts used in all repairs
- Ask about current service programs and options
We are the Mazda dealer on Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd -- one of the Triangle's main corridors. Every team member here knows the CX-5 inside and out. We serve Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill buyers every day with a full lineup of new, used, and certified pre-owned Mazda vehicles.
Southpoint Honda is a few miles away. It is a fine dealership. At Sport Durst Mazda, we focus exclusively on Mazda -- which means our sales team, service technicians, and parts department all know the CX-5 thoroughly.
We carry new, used, and certified pre-owned Mazda inventory and serve buyers from across Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill. Whether you are near NC State, UNC, or Research Triangle Park, Sport Durst is the Triangle's dedicated Mazda dealer. Visit us on Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd or call (919) 873-4428 to learn about current inventory and available programs.
Every question below references a real Triangle road, destination, or driving situation -- because these are the real questions Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill buyers ask us.
Which SUV handles Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd and I-40 better?
The 2026 Mazda CX-5 comes with standard i-Activ AWD on every trim, giving you confident grip on I-40 and the curves along Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd in any weather. The CR-V charges extra for AWD on most trims -- you may or may not have it depending on the trim you buy.
How does the CX-5 compare on price versus the CR-V?
The 2026 Mazda CX-5 starts at $29,990. The CR-V starts at $30,920. Contact Sport Durst Mazda in Durham at (919) 873-4428 to discuss current pricing, available Mazda incentives, and financing options.
Which SUV fits more cargo for trips to Jordan Lake or the Blue Ridge?
The CR-V offers slightly more raw cubic feet (39.3 vs 33.7 behind the rear seats). But the CX-5's larger door openings and lower liftover height make loading easier for everyday use. For Jordan Lake camping gear or a trip west on I-40 to the Blue Ridge Parkway, both carry a family's load. The CX-5 expands to 66.5 cubic feet with rear seats folded.
Is the CX-5 a good commuter on I-85 between Durham and RTP?
Yes. The CX-5 returns 26 MPG combined and sits planted at highway speeds on I-85. The quiet cabin and 12.9-inch Google touchscreen -- with Google Maps built in natively -- make Research Triangle Park commutes easy. Radar cruise control is standard on all trims and reduces highway fatigue.
How does the CX-5 handle Triangle winters and wet roads on NC-54?
Standard i-Activ AWD monitors 27 data points per second and proactively adjusts torque before wheelspin starts. On a wet NC-54 in Chapel Hill or a glaze-iced Durham on-ramp in January, that proactive response matters. The CR-V only has AWD if you specifically paid for it on your trim.
Does the CX-5 qualify for military pricing for Fort Liberty families?
Mazda offers military pricing programs for active duty service members, veterans, and their families. Contact Sport Durst Mazda at (919) 873-4428 to ask about current military incentives on the 2026 CX-5 for Fort Liberty families in the Triangle.
Can the CX-5 handle equipment and gear for families near Duke University Medical Center?
The CX-5's 33.7-cubic-foot cargo area -- with a low liftover height, wide tailgate opening, and 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats -- handles medical equipment, strollers, wheelchairs, or large bags with ease. Wide rear door openings also make loading and unloading easier for families making frequent trips near Duke University Medical Center.
Can I test drive the 2026 CX-5 at Sport Durst Mazda in Durham?
Yes. Sport Durst Mazda is at 4515 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd in Durham -- one of the Triangle's main corridors. Call (919) 873-4428 or browse current CX-5 inventory at sportdurstmazda.com to schedule a test drive.
Where is Sport Durst Mazda compared to the nearest Honda dealer?
Sport Durst Mazda sits right on Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. Southpoint Honda is a few miles away in the Southpoint area. Both are accessible from I-40. At Sport Durst, you get Mazda-only expertise and a team dedicated exclusively to the Mazda lineup. Contact us at (919) 873-4428 to learn about current programs and inventory.
Standard AWD. 12.9-inch Google screen. Mazda-only expertise right on Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. Find your CX-5 in stock at Sport Durst Mazda today.
