Mazda details 2026 CX-5 infotainment with Google built-in

Mazda North American Operations shares a video deep dive on the 2026 CX-5 infotainment with Google built-in, voice control, and screens. Read the details.

Mazda dives deeper into the all-new 2026 CX-5 with a follow-up release that shifts attention from the reveal itself to something drivers will touch every day: the interface. In a new video from Mazda North American Operations, engineer Matthew Valbuena, who oversees in-vehicle technology and human-machine interfaces, walks through the updated infotainment and in-car tech setup—built around voice control, connectivity, and the goal of keeping attention on the road.

The headline change is the move to standard Google built-in, bringing apps and services directly to the vehicle’s screen. Google Maps is positioned as the built-in navigation solution, and sign-in with a Google Account is described as a way to surface personal details such as saved places and previous searches. Mazda also points to the Google Play Store, framing it as access to a curated selection of in-vehicle compatible apps rather than an unlimited catalog.

On the Mazda side of the experience, the latest Mazda Connect is presented as an intentionally familiar, smartphone-like layout. Mazda says commonly used functions—including HVAC and volume—are docked at the bottom of the screen for quicker access. The CX-5 comes with a standard 12.9-inch display, while an available 15.6-inch touchscreen is described as the largest ever offered by Mazda. New steering-wheel controls add another way to interact with the system while keeping hands on the wheel.

Importantly, the new setup doesn’t force a single path. For drivers who prefer phone mirroring, Mazda says Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, giving customers multiple ways to use the screen depending on what feels most natural.

In parallel, Mazda’s European communications tie the digital shift to the car’s underlying electronics. The company says its new E/E Architecture+ supports over-the-air updates, enables driver-assistance systems, and forms a foundation for future software-defined vehicles. That doesn’t spell out a specific list of upcoming features, but it does underline a direction: the CX-5’s interface and connected functions are being built on an architecture Mazda expects to evolve through updates.