2020 Mazda CX-5 Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

With the CX-5, Mazda has focused on bringing its customers a lot of sophistication and convenience for a relatively affordable price. The five trims of the 2020 Mazda CX-5 all come with many attractive technological and safety features, and the top two trims are powered by a significantly more capable engine. As a compact SUV, the CX-5 has clean lines and a streamlined look, making it appear elegant and luxurious.

Compare the 2020 Mazda CX-5 Sport vs Touring Trim Levels. What is the difference?

Under the hood of the CX-5 Sport and Touring trims is a 187-horsepower, SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter engine with 186 pound-feet of torque. This engine has four cylinders, and it's paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While the car can switch gears on its own quite adeptly, it does come with manual-shift and Sport mode in case anyone wants to be in control of shifting.

Whether the CX-5 comes with all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive is up to the customer. Both options are available on these trims. Front-wheel drive versions get an estimated 25/31 (city/highway) miles per gallon. All-wheel drive models achieve an estimated 24/30 miles per gallon, so the difference in gas mileage is almost negligible. The all-wheel drive models use i-ACTIV AWD technology so the car is always ready to make adjustments to torque in order to maximize traction.

Mazda has built the CX-5 with a G-Vectoring Control Plus system. It can engage the brakes when necessary to enhance stability. It's often used when vehicles are coming out of tight turns, changing lanes, or driving over slippery surfaces, and it can make instant adjustments to keep the car nicely balanced.

Inside the cabin of either trim, passengers can stay comfortable sitting on cloth-trimmed seats. The front passenger seat comes with a four-way manual adjustment, and the driver's seat can be manually adjusted in six ways. If more room is needed in the cargo area, the rear seat can be configured differently. Since it has a 40/20/40 split seatback, various layouts can be achieved, and the one-touch operation makes it simple to fold the seats down.

Some nice touches are included inside the CX-5, even on the Sport trim. The gear selector and steering wheel are wrapped in a soft leather, the air conditioning comes with a pollen filter, the power door locks are speed sensitive, and the power windows all have a one-touch down/up function.

The Touring has more elements that set it apart from the Sport. Its climate control system has two zones in addition to rear air conditioning vents. The front seats are heated to provide some extra warmth, and they also come with more functionality. The driver's seat gets upgraded to a power-operated one with manual lumbar support, and the front passenger's seat is enhanced to a six-way adjustable seat instead of a four-way version. Cloth fabric gets replaced with leatherette seats that have Lux Suede inserts, and rear privacy glass makes it a bit more cozy in the back.

Safety is clearly a priority for Mazda. The CX-5 Sport has headlights that can automatically switch between high and low beams, smart brake support that can automatically hit the brakes to try to prevent front collisions with other cars and pedestrians, and hill launch assist to help the car safely move forward when stopped on an incline. Further, all CX-5 SUVs are built with lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert, and Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go functionality. All of these advanced features bring the benefits of innovation to Mazda drivers, and the Touring comes with LED headlights that can automatically level themselves to better illuminate the road.

Not only does Mazda keep its CX-5 drivers safe, but it also keeps them entertained. The Sport has the MAZDA CONNECT Infotainment System that is operated through a seven-inch touchscreen display. When in reverse, the display shows the video feed from the rearview camera. All other times, the touchscreen can be used to control music playback, make phone class, and more. The Sport's infotainment system works with Aha, Pandora, and Stitcher internet radio, and it's compatible with Bluetooth and HD Radio.

The Touring takes things a step further by having Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. For many people, this is enough to justify going up a trim. While the Sport has two USB inputs in the front, the Touring has four total USB inputs with two in the front and two in the back.

Compare the 2020 Mazda CX-5 Touring vs Grand Touring Trims. What is the difference?

Since the Touring and Grand Touring trims are powered by the same engine, the differences come down to some aesthetic and functional features. The Touring is already a well-equipped vehicle, especially considering its lower price point, and the Grand Touring comes with even more.

Starting with technology, the Grand Touring has the addition of SiriusXM Satellite Radio. Many people prefer the quality and clarity of satellite radio over traditional, local stations, and this would affect some people's purchasing decisions. The sound in the Grand Touring is enhanced, thanks to its Bose audio system that has 10 speakers, AudioPilot 2, and Centerpoint 2. Equipped with HomeLink, the rearview mirror can operate as a garage door opener, and another benefit is that the rearview mirror can automatically dim if it detects bright lights behind it.

In terms of cabin amenities, the six-way power passenger seat can be appreciated by many people. Likewise, it's a treat to have a power driver's seat that can be adjusted in eight ways and comes with power lumbar support. It also comes with two-position memory so it can quickly be moved into a favorite position. Seats in the Grand Touring are leather, so they look and feel a bit higher quality than those in the Touring.

Other differences are found on the exterior of the CX-5. While the Touring and Sport have LED headlights, the Grand Touring has the addition of LED fog lights, LED taillights, and LED Daytime Running Lights. Its side mirrors not only have integrated turn signals, but they also have a heating element.

The Grand Touring rides on 19-inch wheels instead of the 17-inch wheels that the lower trims have. Two significant upgrades are that the Grand Touring comes with a power moonroof that can slide open with the touch of a button as well as a power liftgate. On the liftgate, drivers can program the height at which it opens. This can be handy for those with smaller garages.

Compare the 2020 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring vs Grand Touring Reserve Trims. What is the difference?

At the Grand Touring Reserve level, the Mazda CX-5 begins to be exclusively offered as an all-wheel drive vehicle. There's a significant price jump at this level, so there's a lot to consider at this point.

Another significant change is that the Grand Touring Reserve is powered by a 250-horsepower, 2.5T engine with 320 pound-feet of torque. The difference in acceleration and responsiveness is easy to notice, even by drivers who prefer smooth cruising over aggressive driving. A trade-off is that the Grand Touring Reserve is less fuel efficient than the Grand Touring, achieving an estimated 22/27 miles per gallon.

Compared to the engine upgrade, the other changes are minor. On the outside of the CX-5, the Grand Touring Reserve comes with a windshield wiper de-icer and automatic power folding side mirrors. Inside, there are nice enhancements to the seating, as the front seats are heated and ventilated and the rear seats are heated. The steering wheel is heated as well, giving people comfort in the winter months in multiple areas.

The Grand Touring Reserve has a few upgraded technological features. It has an Active Driving Display that projects key information onto the windshield directly in front of the driver. This can work to reduce inattentiveness. The touchscreen on the Grand Touring measures eight inches instead of the standard seven inches.

Like the Touring and Grand Touring, the Grand Touring Reserve has an advanced keyless entry and start system. This allows drivers to keep keys securely tucked away in their pockets, purses, or bags. When walking up to the locked car with the key fob somewhere on them, they can unlock the doors by simply touching the door handle. Since the car has a standard push-button start, the key fob can stay safely secured at all times.

Compare the 2020 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring Reserve vs Signature Trim Level. What is the difference?

At the top of the line-up is the Signature trim. Like the Grand Touring Reserve, it runs on the more powerful turbo engine and is an all-wheel drive model. In the Signature, the wheels get upgraded from 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with a brilliant silver finish to 19-inch wheels with a dark silver finish. The Signature badge is elegantly displayed.

More LED lights are included on the Signature. They're found in the cargo area, vanity mirrors, glove compartment, and overhead console. They give off a nice amount of illumination and look sleek and modern. Another futuristic touch is the auto-dimming rearview mirror. Rather than having a traditional frame around it, it's frameless.

As previously mentioned, the cabin of the Grand Touring Reserve has leather seats. Seating material is upgraded to a special Caturra Brown Nappa leather in the Signature. This is matched with genuine wood trim, a black cloth headliner, and leather on the steering wheel that is accented by a unique stitching. These all work together to bring an added air of sophistication to the Mazda CX-5.

Technology is enhanced in the Signature, as one might expect given its higher price bracket. It comes with a 360-degree monitor to help people see what's going on around them. Front and rear parking sensors are useful in this regard as well, indicating when the CX-5 is getting too close to other objects.

The Signature trim is the only one to come with built-in navigation. With SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link, drivers can get current information about traffic, weather, sports, and even prices. The navigation system can direct them around traffic jams, give them turn-by-turn directions to destinations they're unfamiliar with, and point them in the direction of parking lots that may have open spots.

2020 Mazda CX-5: Which Trim to Choose?

The CX-5 is an impressive vehicle that has a versatile cargo space, the look and feel of an SUV, and a sporty vibe to it. For the added benefit of having Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, most modern drivers should consider getting at least the Touring trim. The Grand Touring comes with many great features, to include an affordable starting price, leather seats, a Bose audio system, and a power moonroof. For those who are happy with 187 horsepower, the Grand Touring would be recommended.

The Grand Touring Reserve would be the trim to pick if anyone really values performance and wants a more powerful engine. This model is packed with advanced features like an eight-inch touchscreen, ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats, building on what the Grand Touring already offers. It's a much more practical pick than the more expensive Signature.