A Trim-by-Trim Breakdown of the 2026 Mazda CX-5 for Burnaby Buyers: GX, GS, and GT
June 19 2026,
The all-new 2026 Mazda CX-5 has arrived in dealerships as the third-generation model, and buyers who have already decided on the CX-5 now face a more specific decision: which trim is the right fit. The gap between GX, GS, and GT is not just a matter of price — each step changes what the CX-5 does, what it looks like, and how it behaves on the roads around Burnaby. Getting that decision right means understanding exactly what each trim adds, and which of those additions actually matter for your daily life.
All three trims share the same 2.5 L Skyactiv-G 4-cylinder engine producing 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, the same 6-speed automatic transmission, and standard i-Activ all-wheel drive. That foundation does not change. What changes is everything built on top of it — the display size, the safety technology, the interior materials, the lighting, and the ambient details that shape how the vehicle feels to live with every day in British Columbia.
2026 Mazda CX-5 GX AWD
The GX is the entry point, and it earns its position by including a meaningful level of standard equipment rather than stripping the vehicle to a bare spec. Every 2026 CX-5 launches with Google built-in on the standard 12.9-inch touchscreen display — a step up from the 10.25-inch display carried by the 2025 model. Google Maps runs natively on the screen rather than being mirrored from a phone, and the system includes compatibility with the Google Play Store and voice commands.
Standard i-Activsense safety equipment is comprehensive from the GX: Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Smart Brake Support Front, Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are all included. Eight airbags, Pedestrian Detection, and Driver Attention Alert round out the safety suite.
The GX suits buyers who value the new CX-5's expanded dimensions — 4.5 inches longer in both overall length and wheelbase than its predecessor, with more rear legroom and a cargo area that is nearly two inches deeper with a lower lift-in height — without requiring every available upgrade. For a Burnaby household that wants a capable, well-equipped AWD crossover at the most accessible entry point in this lineup, the GX delivers the core of what makes the 2026 CX-5 a meaningful step forward.
GX highlights:
- 2.5 L 4-cylinder engine — 187 hp / 186 lb-ft of torque, 6-speed automatic, i-Activ AWD
- Standard 12.9-inch touchscreen with Google built-in and native Google Maps
- Full i-Activsense suite including Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Blind Spot Monitoring
- Standard i-Activsense suite: Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Blind Spot Monitoring, Pedestrian Detection
2026 Mazda CX-5 GS AWD
The GS adds upgrades that affect how the vehicle presents itself both inside and out. On the exterior, the GS gains auto-leveling headlights, a gloss black front grille, and a power rear liftgate. These details lift the CX-5's visual presence without requiring a jump to the GT price point.
Inside, the GS replaces cloth upholstery with black leatherette seating and adds a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, 6-way power adjustable driver's seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, and rear USB charging ports. The infotainment system receives wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity through the available Comfort Package on the GS, which also adds wireless phone charging and a panoramic moonroof — one of the features that makes the expanded cabin of the 2026 CX-5 feel even more open for rear passengers.
The GS makes sense for buyers who spend meaningful time in the driver's seat and want the convenience of a power-adjustable position, the warmth of a heated steering wheel through Vancouver's grey season, and the step up in interior refinement that leatherette seating provides over cloth. It is also the first trim where the optional Comfort Package makes the panoramic roof available, which is worth considering given how much larger the 2026 CX-5's cabin feels with that opening above the rear seats.
GS highlights:
- Leatherette seating, heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, 6-way power driver's seat
- Auto-leveling headlights, gloss black front grille, power rear liftgate
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Comfort Package option adds panoramic moonroof and wireless charging
2026 Mazda CX-5 GT AWD
The GT is where the 2026 CX-5 expands its technology stack and shifts the display format. Higher trims gain access to the 15.6-inch touchscreen — the largest ever offered on a Mazda vehicle and the clearest visual distinction between this trim level and those below it. That screen runs the same Google built-in interface with the same native apps and voice control, but at a size that puts navigation and media controls in a different category for visibility and usability.
The Adaptive Frontlighting System (AFS) joins the GT, adjusting the headlight beam direction through corners rather than pointing straight ahead in a static arc. On the winding roads around Burnaby Mountain or the North Shore approaches at night, this makes a practical difference to how much of the road ahead is visible when turning. Ventilated front seats join heated rear seats at this level, and the Bose Premium Audio system with 10 speakers replaces the standard unit from lower trims. Cruising & Traffic Support (CTS) — Mazda's most advanced active driving assistance, providing lane centring and adaptive cruise control at highway speeds — is standard on GT models.
The GT targets buyers who will drive this vehicle frequently, value the full technology suite, and want the ambient lighting, premium audio, and lighting system that make the CX-5's interior feel finished rather than functional. For drivers in British Columbia who spend time on after-dark or early-morning commutes, the Adaptive Frontlighting System alone is a meaningful practical addition.
GT highlights:
- Available 15.6-inch touchscreen — Mazda's largest ever
- Adaptive Frontlighting System (AFS) for corner-responsive beam adjustment
- Cruising & Traffic Support (CTS) with highway lane centring and adaptive cruise
- Bose Premium Audio with 10 speakers, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats
- Ambient lighting with seven colour options on front door trims
Comparing the 2026 CX-5 Trims
|
Feature |
GX AWD |
GS AWD |
GT AWD |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Touchscreen Size |
12.9-inch |
12.9-inch |
15.6-inch (available) |
|
Google Built-in |
Standard |
Standard |
Standard |
|
Seating Material |
Cloth |
Leatherette |
Leather |
|
Heated Steering Wheel |
— |
Standard |
Standard |
|
Dual-Zone Climate Control |
— |
Standard |
Standard |
|
Adaptive Frontlighting System |
— |
— |
Standard |
|
Cruising & Traffic Support |
— |
— |
Standard |
|
Bose Premium Audio |
— |
— |
Standard (10 speakers) |
|
Ventilated Front Seats |
— |
— |
Standard |
|
Panoramic Moonroof |
— |
Optional (Comfort Pkg) |
Available |
Your New 2026 CX-5 Is Waiting at Metrotown Mazda
All three trims of the 2026 CX-5 share a powertrain and AWD system that represent a proven, well-calibrated foundation. The decision between GX, GS, and GT comes down to how much of your daily experience you want the technology, comfort, and safety features to shape. The team at Metrotown Mazda in Burnaby can walk you through each trim in person, answer specific questions about the Comfort Package options, and arrange a test drive so you can evaluate the differences on Burnaby roads rather than on a spec sheet. Contact our sales team at Metrotown Mazda today to find the trim that fits.