Next-Level Luxury: What is Mazda's Signature Trim Level?

The top-level trim offered on the CX-5 and CX-9 pushes the brand forward.

Emme Hall | 

Jan 11, 2023 | 3 min read

Mazda

As it positions itself as an entry-level luxury automaker, Mazda wants to give the big guys a run for their money. Case in point: Mazda’s Signature trim. This halo trim gives buyers upscale features for substantially less than European rivals.

Mazda doesn’t offer the Signature trim on all models. You’ll find it only on the CX-5 compact SUV and the larger, mid-size, three-row CX-9.

CX-5 Turbo Signature

In Turbo Signature trim, the CX-5 goes big with its 2.5L, turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 256 hp on premium gas or 227 hp on regular unleaded.

The Signature wears a bright silver finish on its front grille; a look echoed on the 19-inch wheels. The style contrasts with body-colored lower bumpers, rocker panels, and wheel arches. Curiously, Mazda makes the CX-5 Turbo Signature trim in only six colors, one less than other trims.

Inside, the CX-5 Signature gets LED accessory lighting, Caturra Brown Nappa leather-trimmed seats, and woodgrain trim. This combo is the only interior design scheme for the Signature. Mazda offers cream, red and black interiors, but you’ll have to drop down a trim level or two.

Like the CX-5 Turbo, the Turbo Signature has heated front and rear seats, ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Mazda equips all trims with almost 10.3-inch screens with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. The Turbo Signature adds a three-year subscription to Sirius Traffic and Travel, plus embedded navigation, and traffic sign recognition. Although all trims include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist, only the Signature trim adds front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, driver attention alert, automatic emergency rear braking, and traffic jam assist.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 Turbo Signature starts at around $41,500. Going down a step, the CX-5 Turbo starts at about $38,700.

CX-9 Signature

The CX-9 debuted as the first Mazda Signature model in 2016. Its standard 2.5L, turbocharged 4-cylinder produces 250 hp with 93-octane fuel. Those numbers drop to match the CX-5 with 87-octane.

Mazda loads its next-highest Grand Touring trim with many features, but the CX-9 in Signature trim nudges upward. On the outside, the Signature’s titanium gray metallic grille is flanked by LED accent lighting, while dual exhaust pipes finish out the rear end. The Signature offers four color choices, while the Grand Touring offers six.

Inside, the CX-9 in Signature adds Santos Rosewood inlays and aluminum trim. Quilted Nappa leather trims all three rows of seats. There are two available interior color schemes, Deep Chestnut and Parchment. You’ll have to step down in trims if you want red, black, or cream. As in the Grand Touring, the first and second rows are heated, and the front seats are also ventilated. A heated steering wheel rounds out the two top trims.

All Mazda CX-9 models come standard with an almost 10.3-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Both the Grand Touring and Signature get a 3-year subscription to Sirius Traffic and Travel, as well as embedded navigation, and traffic sign recognition. Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist also come standard. The Grand Touring and Signature trims add a 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors, a driver-attention alert, and rear emergency braking.

The 2023 Mazda CX-9 Signature starts at around $50,300. The 2023 CX-9 Grand Touring starts at about $47,500.

CX-5 Turbo Signature vs. CX-9 Signature

While the Signature trim certainly adds some valued luxury and tech features, the additions are not quite as robust on the CX-9 as on the CX-5. In both vehicles, you’ll get fancier appointments and exterior upgrades, but the CX-5 Turbo Signature provides quite a few ADAS features not included in the next-best Touring. While the CX-9 Grand Touring and Signature have features to make your drive easier, the upgrade between the models is mostly in appearance.

Emme Hall

Emme Hall is an award-winning automotive journalist who comes to Capital One after many years at CNET, where she wrote extensively about electrification, ADAS systems, and in-car technology. She also has bylines at Car and Driver, MotorTrend, SAE Automotive, TechCrunch, The Verge, and Inside EVs. A sought-after media personality, she has appeared on Live with Kelly and Ryan and is a frequent guest on The Truck Show Podcast, Off the Road Again, and Get Your Hands Dirty, a podcast that encourages young women to get into STEM careers. She is an experienced off-road racer, having competed in the United States, Mexico, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia.