The 2026 Mazda CX-5's Advanced Driver Assistance Features Explained for Burnaby Commuters

Safety technology in modern vehicles has advanced quickly enough that the names and acronyms — MRCC, SBS, ADAS, LKA — can blur together without much practical meaning attached. For Burnaby commuters navigating Kingsway through the heart of the city, queuing on Highway 1 toward Coquitlam, or merging onto the Lougheed Highway in stop-and-go traffic, what matters is how these systems actually behave on the road.

The all-new 2026 Mazda CX-5, arriving in Spring 2026, builds on the CX-5's history as an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award winner by adding several new Advanced Driver Assistance System features to an already thorough suite. This article breaks down what each system does in straightforward terms, so you know exactly what's working in the background when you're behind the wheel.

What Is i-Activsense?

Before getting into the individual features, it helps to understand what Mazda groups under the i-Activsense umbrella. This is Mazda's collective term for its safety and driver assistance technologies — sensors, cameras, and radar systems that monitor the vehicle's surroundings and either alert the driver or intervene to help prevent a collision. These systems don't replace attentive driving, but they provide a meaningful layer of support during the moments when driver attention briefly lapses or conditions change faster than expected.

The 2026 CX-5 carries a comprehensive suite of i-Activsense features as standard equipment, meaning every trim level includes these systems — not just upper-level packages.

Key 2026 CX-5 Safety and Driver Assistance Features

Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go

This system uses radar to maintain a set following distance from the vehicle ahead. Unlike traditional cruise control, which holds a fixed speed, MRCC adjusts the CX-5's speed in response to the flow of traffic. The Stop & Go function extends this to full stops, so the vehicle can bring itself to a complete halt and resume without driver intervention. For Burnaby commuters who spend significant time in congested conditions on Highway 1 or the Trans-Canada, this is one of the most useful systems in the suite.

Smart Brake Support

Smart Brake Support monitors the distance and closing speed to a vehicle or pedestrian ahead. If the system determines a collision is likely and the driver has not responded, it can apply the brakes automatically. This includes front-sensing coverage for pedestrian detection — a relevant feature for the density of foot traffic at intersections along Kingsway and in the Metrotown area.

Lane Keep Assist and Lane Departure Warning

Lane Departure Warning alerts the driver when the CX-5 begins drifting out of its lane without a turn signal. Lane Keep Assist adds steering input to guide the vehicle back within the lane markings. Both systems rely on cameras that read lane markings, and they function most reliably on clearly marked highways and arterial roads — exactly the kind of routes that make up the bulk of a Burnaby daily commute.

Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert

Blind Spot Monitoring watches the zones beside and behind the CX-5 that fall outside the driver's normal mirror view. When a vehicle enters that zone, a warning light activates in the relevant mirror. Rear Cross Traffic Alert extends this rearward when reversing, detecting vehicles approaching from the side — useful in parking structures and busy surface lots throughout Burnaby.

High Beam Control

This system uses a camera to detect oncoming headlights or tail lights ahead and automatically switches between high and low beams. On the stretches of Highway 1 or the Lougheed that pass through unlit sections after dark, this system maintains maximum visibility without the manual switching that can distract a driver.

New ADAS Features for 2026

The 2026 CX-5 introduces additional Advanced Driver Assistance System features that go beyond what the outgoing model offered. Mazda has confirmed that drivers can anticipate expanded driver assistance technology crafted to further enhance protection and driver confidence, including new features not found on the previous generation. Specific full details for all new ADAS features will be confirmed closer to the Spring 2026 launch.

At a Glance: 2026 CX-5 Standard Safety Highlights

Why This Matters for British Columbia Drivers

Safety technology performs differently depending on driving environment. In British Columbia, where conditions shift from dry Burnaby surface streets to wet mountain passes and foggy river-valley highways within a single drive, a vehicle that supports driver awareness across varying conditions is genuinely useful. The CX-5's i-Activsense suite is designed to operate as a background support system rather than an intrusive one — alerts are timed to be meaningful rather than constant, and driver input remains primary.

The 2026 CX-5 also carries standard i-Activ AWD across all trim levels, which works in tandem with the safety electronics to support traction and stability on British Columbia's unpredictable road surfaces.

Learn More at Metrotown Mazda

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 is set to arrive in Spring 2026. If you'd like to understand how the safety suite compares to other vehicles in the compact SUV segment, or if you're currently driving an older CX-5 and want to see how the technology has evolved, come visit our team at Metrotown Mazda in Burnaby. We're happy to walk through the features in detail.