'25 owners manual link below...look at the "mazda connect" section starting on page 5-14...it's the call pickup button...have not used it so can't comment whether it works well or not...
https://www.mazdausa.com/siteassets/...ers-manual.pdf

 

It seems to work ok with Android Auto. Can't speak to how well it works w/ the new system in the 2026 cars.

 

page 5-23 of the above linked manual...
"NOTE The Mazda Connect voice recognition is not active while Apple CarPlay™ or Android Auto™ is connected, the talk/pick-up button will activate Siri® or Android Auto™ voice recognition instead."

 

Didn't realize that there was a second system. Never tried it w/o having AA running. The AA voice recognition works fine for making calls or changing navigation. It even plays incoming text message aloud, and asks if I want to respond.

 

i haven't tried the on-board one and never use siri either...i get so angry at alexa in my house and my garmin in my car that i don't think i can deal with another voice recognition system lol...i guess i just like using buttons...i really like the main selector dial but the infotainment UI is a mess especially when it comes to anything to do with the radio...i also rarely use carplay...i typically just use the bluetooth cause it's faster and i use my garmin for navigation as i don't like carplay directions interrupting my podcast listening

 

I'm with you on the selector dial, I really like it. Spent 8 years using it in my 2017 3-GT, and was happy that my 2023 CX-5 had a minimal learning curve as to where controls were. The voice button on the steering wheel is no incorporated with the call p/u button, and a couple of the climate control buttons were moved, but that was really about it. I'm an Android guy, so I don't use Siri or ACP. That being said, the AA version of Siri has pissed me off more times than I can count. However, it seems to have gotten better. I stopped listening to the radio in the car years ago. The local stations suck and in the few months trial I had of one of the satellite services, I found they were no better than the local stations, as they played the same 50 songs over and over. I mostly listen to audio books when I'm in the car, or Amazon music.

I actually don't mind the nav system interrupting to tell me about an upcoming turn or some hazard or cops ahead. I actually wish it would interrupt during phone calls, as I've almost missed turns due to being on the phone. I guess I've gotten used to it jumping in and telling me what's coming up. I guess I would eventually get used to a new system, or it wouldn't be as bad if I came from something other than another Mazda, but IDK, I hate the idea of a touch screen to control everything.

 

i typically only use the radio when i have my daughter in the car...by myself i never use it...mostly podcasts or music...have been meaning to try an audio book but haven't gotten around to it...but the radio user interface for it is a mess...not intuitive at all

 

Get the 'Libby' app for your phone, you can borrow free audio books from your local library.

 

thanks...i'll check that out

 

seems the screen on the '26 is already an issue...video copied from another forum...