Mazda's CX-5 is a crossover SUV that promises sporty handling and luxurious style. But how do the CX-5's most premium trim levels, the Grand Touring Reserve and the Signature, compare? We've scoured the spec sheets, press releases, and brochures to find the answer you're looking for.
The CX-5 Grand Touring Reserve and Signature both have many features in common, including all those found in the other trim levels, as well as a 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G four-cylinder engine. However, they differ in some specific features.
The Grand Touring Reserve includes many features found in the GT Premium package, including:
- A heated steering wheel
- Heated rear seats
- Ventilated front seats
- A heads-up display
The Signature boasts an array of luxury and driver-assist features, such as:
- Nappa leather upholstery
- Genuine layered wood trim
- Black cloth headliner
- Integrated navigation
- Traffic sign recognition
- 360-degree parking camera
- Reverse automatic emergency braking
- Driver attention alert
- LED glove compartment and ambient lighting
In this article, we'll take a closer look at both the Grand Touring Reserve and the Signature CX-5. We'll also see what separates the Grand Touring Reserve from the standard Grand Touring and which trim levels feature turbo engines, all-wheel drive, and more. Read on to learn more!
Which to choose: Grand Touring Reserve or Signature
The CX-5 Grand Touring Reserve and Signature are at the top of their game, not just among the CX-5s but also among all crossover SUVs. Choosing the right one for you will depend on your wants and needs.
The Grand Touring Reserve comes at a slightly lower price point than the Signature. While it doesn't have as lavish an interior as the Signature, it still has all the luxury you expect from a Mazda SUV.
It also has several features that are great for winter driving, especially heating in the rear seats and steering wheel and the windshield wiper de-icer. These features, paired with the i-ACTIV all-wheel-drive system, can help you see your CX-5 through sleet and snow.
All of this makes the Grand Touring Reserve an excellent premium vehicle for those living in colder climates. On the other hand, the Signature excels when it comes to luxury and convenient city driving.
Is the Mazda CX-5 Signature worth it?
The myriad features included with the Signature don't just make it the most premium CX-5 trim level; it is also the most costly. If you are in the market for a vehicle that combines function with lavish attention to detail, then the Signature is perfect for you.
The Nappa leather upholstery, genuine wooden trim, and ambient interior lighting will leave you feeling opulent wherever you roam in the Signature.
The integrated navigation, surround-view camera, traffic sign recognition, and front and rear parking sensors make driving and parking stress-free.
These features are especially useful for city drivers who have to safely navigate through busy, labyrinthine streets and squeeze their way into tight parking spots.
While integrated navigation and traffic sign recognition are available as upgrades for the Grand Touring Reserve, they only come standard with the Signature trim level.
Beyond their finer features, both the Grand Touring Reserve and Signature come with all the benefits of being a Mazda and a CX-5. The CX-5 is one of the safest vehicles on the road as rated by both IIHS and Euro NCAP, and Mazda was rated the top car brand by Consumer Report in 2021.
CX-5 Grand Touring Reserve and Signature Similarities
We've seen many differences between the Grand Touring Reserve and the Signature, but they also have much in common.
The Grand Touring Reserve and Signature are the two most premium trim levels of the CX-5, and they include all the features that come standard with the other trim levels.
This includes a bevy of driving and safety features. You'll get Mazda's forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rain-sensing windshield wipers, adaptive headlights, and more.
Infotainment features found in other trim levels are included, such as an integrated Wi-Fi hotspot, 10.5-inch touchscreen, 10-speaker Bose stereo system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
However, the Grand Touring Reserve's and the Signature's shared features don't stop with those found in other trim levels.
Both trims adopt Mazda's turbocharged 2.5T Skyactiv-G four-cylinder engine and i-ACTIV dynamic all-wheel-drive powertrain with off-road traction assist.
This powerful system delivers regular fuel 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Premium fuel improves performance further, up to 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque, easily outperforming the 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque in the standard 2.5L engine.
What is the difference between Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring and Reserve?
The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Reserve have similarities beyond just their name. But what are the CX-5 Grand Touring and Grand Touring Reserve?
The Grand Touring has similar features to the Touring with the Preferred SV Package. This includes steering-wheel-mounted paddle-shifters, 19-inch silver wheels, heated side mirrors, and more. Mazda's GT Premium Package is also available for the Grand Touring.
The Grand Touring Reserve includes all the features of a Grand Touring with the GT Premium Package and the turbocharged Skyactiv-G engine with i-ACTIV all-wheel drive.
What is the GT Premium Package for the Mazda CX-5?
The CX-5 Grand Touring can be upgraded with the GT Premium Package. This package is especially appealing for drivers who live in colder climates, as it includes a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and a wiper de-icer.
The GT Premium Package also includes a heads-up display and ventilated front seats. Getting this upgrade brings your Grand Touring close to the Grand Touring Reserve, but without the turbo engine and all-wheel drive.
Which Mazda CX-5 Trim has Turbo?
Mazda's turbocharged engine for the CX-5 delivers more power and efficiency than the standard engine. This engine is standard with the Grand Touring Reserve, Signature trim levels, and the Carbon Edition Turbo for the 2021 model year.
Mazda has changed up its trim level lineup for the 2022 model year. Turbo became its own trim level, and only the Turbo and Turbo Signature trims come with the turbo engine.
This turbocharged engine features Mazda's Skyactiv-G technology. The Skyactiv-G engines are the first to achieve a 14.0:1 compression ratio in a mass-produced gasoline engine. This high compression ratio improves performance and efficiency.
Other innovations in this engine, such as the 4-2-1 exhaust system, allow it to maintain this high compression ratio without knocking issues that would reduce torque. The result is an impressive turbo engine that delivers both efficiency and power.
When did Mazda CX-5 get Turbo?
The CX-5 saw its first turbocharged engine in the 2019 model year, the same year the Signature trim level was introduced. This turbocharged outperforms the standard engine in horsepower and torque, especially when premium fuel is used.
While in 2019, the turbocharged engine was only standard with the Grand Touring Reserve and Signature, it expanded to the other, select trim levels detailed above in the following years.
Which Mazda CX-5 Trim has AWD?
Since the CX-5 hit the markets in 2013, Mazda's i-ACTIV dynamic all-wheel-drive system is available for all trim levels. Before the 2022 model year, it only came as a standard feature for the Grand Touring Reserve and the Signature trim levels.
For the 2022 model year, the i-ACTIVE all-wheel-drive powertrain became standard for all CX-5 trim levels. This means that all new CX-5's on the road will benefit from i-ACTIV's powerful traction assistance.
To learn more about this topic, be sure to read our article: 'Does the Mazda CX-5 Have All-Wheel Drive? [Models and Trims Explored]' You'll learn more about how Mazda's all-wheel-drive system works and how to make the most of it.
Which CX-5 trim levels include Navigation?
Mazda's integrated navigation system only comes standard with their Signature trim level. However, it is also available as an upgrade for the 2022 2.5 S Premium Plus and for the Grand Touring Reserve for previous model years.
You can learn more about how to use this navigation system and how it works in our article: 'How to Use Mazda CX-5 Navigation System.'
You can also see Mazda's navigation system in action in the video from Mazda USA below:
Final Thoughts
Since it first hit the road in 2013, the Mazda CX-5 has stayed one of the top crossover SUVs on the market. While any trim level promises to be a great vehicle, the premium Grand Touring Reserve and Signature models offer a host of fantastic features.
Now you know which features come with these premium trim levels and some of the similarities and differences between them.
We've also seen how the Grand Touring and Grand Touring Reserve compare with each other and which trim levels offer turbo engines, integrated navigation, and all-wheel drive.
With this knowledge in hand, you'll be ready to choose the ultimate CX-5 for your own driving needs.