Comparing the 2026 Mazda CX-90 MHEV GT and Signature Trims: Is the Upgrade Worth It for Burnaby Families?

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 MHEV lineup spans five trim levels, and for buyers who have already narrowed the search to Mazda's flagship three-row crossover, the decision most commonly comes down to two: the GT and the Signature. These are the top two positions in the MHEV lineup (ahead of the GT-P, which sits between them), and they represent meaningfully different ownership propositions for families in Burnaby looking at this price bracket.

The differences aren't cosmetic details. The Signature changes the vehicle's seating configuration, interior material quality, powertrain output, and the technology available to the driver. For Burnaby families evaluating the CX-90 at the upper end of the lineup, understanding exactly what the Signature adds — and what the GT already gives you — is the most direct path to making the right call.

CX-90 MHEV GT: What You Get

The GT is the entry point to the CX-90's upper tier. It comes with the standard 3.3L e-Skyactiv G Inline 6 Turbo engine producing 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque on regular fuel, and offers optional eight-passenger seating through a second-row bench configuration — or available captain's chairs for seven-passenger capacity.

The GT's equipment level is thorough: standard black leather upholstery, a power panoramic moonroof, Bose 12-speaker premium audio, a head-up Active Driving Display, 21-inch alloy wheels, and a 12.3-inch Mazda Connect centre display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Safety technology includes Cruise and Traffic Support, 360° View Monitor, front and rear parking sensors, Traffic Sign Recognition, Blind Spot Monitoring with Vehicle Exit Warning, and Driver Monitoring.

• Standard or eight-passenger bench seating configuration
• 280 hp / 332 lb-ft, runs on regular fuel
• Towing capacity: 5,000 lb (with Mazda genuine towing accessories)
• 12.3-inch centre display with wireless connectivity
• Power panoramic moonroof, heated rear seats (outboard), Bose audio

CX-90 MHEV Signature: What Changes

The Signature is a fixed six-passenger configuration with second-row captain's chairs and a two-seat third row — there is no bench seating option. This is the first structural difference: if your family of eight needs that full bench in row two, the Signature is not the correct trim.

If the six-passenger layout works for your household, the Signature delivers a genuinely different interior experience. Standard Pure White Nappa leather seats are the baseline, with maple wood accents throughout the cabin, light cloth trim on the side door and dashboard panels, and Mazda's Kakenui hand-stitching pattern. An optional Windsor Tan interior adds premium Nappa leather with quilted detail across the first and second rows, Windsor Tan Grand Luxe Suede panels on the dash and door trim, and a two-tone steering wheel in black and Windsor Tan.

Beyond materials, the Signature adds the Driver Personalization System — a system that uses facial recognition to recover the driver's saved settings and provides user-enabled driving position guidance and entry/exit assist. A 150W power outlet in the cargo area, ventilated second-row seats, and power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel with memory are also standard. The instrument cluster upgrades to a 12.3-inch fully digital TFT LCD display.

The Signature also carries the high-output 3.3L engine producing 340 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel. This is the same powertrain found in the GT-P — the Signature does not use the 280 hp standard-output engine.

Trim Comparison: GT vs. Signature

Safety Technology: What the Signature Adds

Both the GT and Signature carry a thorough i-Activsense suite. The Signature completes the package by adding Emergency Lane Keeping with Head-on Traffic Avoidance Assist, Secondary Collision Reduction, 360° View Monitor with See-Through View, Pedestrian Detection (rear), Smart Brake Support Front Crossing, and Smart Brake Support Turning Across Path. These are meaningful additions in dense Burnaby traffic where urban intersections and tight parking environments are a daily reality.

Which Trim Is Right for Your Family?

The GT is the right choice for Burnaby families who need maximum seating flexibility — particularly households managing school-age children, carpooling responsibilities, or multi-row passenger loads. The GT's bench-seat configurations and standard 280 hp powertrain on regular fuel make it a practical, highly capable flagship without requiring premium fuel costs.

The Signature suits families whose household size fits comfortably in six seats, who place significant value on the interior material quality, and who want the Driver Personalization System and higher-output engine. The 340 hp powertrain and premium-grade Nappa leather represent the top of the Mazda lineup in Canada — a meaningful step for buyers coming from Acura, Lexus, or higher-end European crossovers.

Both trims carry a maximum 5,000 lb towing capacity, so for Burnaby families who use the CX-90 to pull a boat or trailer around British Columbia, neither trim sacrifices capability.

Your New CX-90 MHEV Is Waiting at Metrotown Mazda

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 MHEV is available now in Burnaby at Metrotown Mazda. Our sales team can walk you through both the GT and Signature configurations in person, and we can confirm current inventory across trim levels. Reach out or stop by to take both trims for a drive — the interior difference between the two is something you'll want to experience directly before deciding.