Which 2026 Mazda CX-90 Trims Are Rated to Tow Up to 5,000 lb

Hauling a trailer, a boat, or a loaded utility rig in Alberta means checking more than the sticker on the window. The 2026 Mazda CX-90 spans five trim names and two powertrains, and the number that matters most, the tow rating, shifts depending on which one you pick.

Before settling on a GS, GS-L, GT, GT-P, or Signature, it helps to see exactly how that number changes across the lineup and what comes with it.

How Towing Capacity Breaks Down Across the CX-90 Lineup

All 2026 CX-90 trims run all-wheel drive, so the split isn’t about traction. It’s about the powertrain under the hood and which trim you choose within it.

*Maximum tow ratings require Mazda Genuine Towing Accessories.

MHEV or PHEV: Two Different Towing Stories

The mild-hybrid (MHEV) CX-90 runs a 3.3 L turbocharged inline-six paired with a 48-volt hybrid boost system. GS, GS-L, and GT use the standard-output version, making 280 hp and 332 lb-ft. GT-P and Signature step up to a high-output tune of that same six, at 340 hp and 369 lb-ft on premium fuel, or 319 hp on regular.

The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) pairs a 2.5 L four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a system output of 323 hp and 369 lb-ft, the same across every PHEV trim from GS to Signature. The engine alone makes 189 hp and 192 lb-ft, while the electric motor contributes 173 hp and 199 lb-ft.

• MHEV (3.3 L turbo inline-six, mild hybrid): 280 hp / 332 lb-ft on GS, GS-L, and GT; 340 hp / 369 lb-ft on GT-P and Signature
• PHEV (2.5 L four-cylinder plus electric motor): 323 hp / 369 lb-ft system output on every PHEV trim, with 42 to 43 km of electric-only range

The 5,000-lb (2,268 kg) ceiling only shows up on the MHEV side, and only from GS-L up. Every PHEV trim, regardless of output or trim level, tops out at 3,500 lbs (1,588 kg). For repeat heavy-trailer duty, the MHEV’s upper trims carry more headroom. For mixed commuting and occasional towing, the PHEV’s electric range covers the daily drive while still handling a lighter trailer.

Seating, Cargo, and the Equipment That Makes Towing Easier

Cargo space holds steady regardless of trim or powertrain: 2,101 L behind the front seats, 1,133 L behind the second row, and 423 L behind the third row. Seating is the variable. GS offers 8 seats only. GS-L, GT, and GT-P (MHEV) offer an 8-seat bench standard with a 7-seat captain’s chairs layout optional. Signature comes standard with 7 seats. On the PHEV side, GT drops the 8-seat bench entirely, so it’s 7 seats either way.

Towing-specific equipment tracks with the higher-rated trims. Mi-Drive’s Towing mode isn’t offered on GS in either powertrain, but it’s standard from GS-L up, adjusting throttle and shift behaviour for pulling a trailer. Trailer Hitch View, part of the 360° View Monitor, comes standard on GT and above in both the MHEV and PHEV lineups, giving a camera view for lining up a hitch without a spotter. Trailer Stability Control is standard on every 2026 CX-90 trim, MHEV or PHEV.

Matching a CX-90 Trim to Your Towing Habits

An occasional light tow, a small utility trailer, a couple of kayaks, or a pop-up camper fits within the GS’s 3,500-lb (1,588 kg) rating on either powertrain, and keeps the full 8-seat layout for a family that rarely tows.

Frequent family towing, a travel trailer, a larger boat, or gear for regular weekend trips points toward GS-L or GT in the MHEV lineup. Both reach the 5,000-lb (2,268 kg) ceiling and add Mi-Drive’s Towing mode, and GT layers in Trailer Hitch View for easier hookups.

Shoppers chasing maximum capability alongside more standard equipment should look at GT-P or Signature. Both carry the high-output 3.3 L six, the 5,000-lb (2,268 kg) rating, and Trailer Hitch View, with Signature adding the fullest camera and safety package in the lineup. The Signature trades away the 8-seat option for a 7-seat-only layout, so anyone who needs 8 seats stays with GS-L, GT, or GT-P instead.

Choosing Your 2026 CX-90

The 2026 CX-90 lineup spans five trims and two powertrains, with towing capacity ranging from 3,500 lbs (1,588 kg) on GS models to 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) on GS-L and above in the MHEV lineup, each pairing seating and equipment differently.

Visit Sunridge Mazda in Calgary to sit in each CX-90 trim, compare the seating layouts in person, and confirm which configuration matches your trailer, gear, and family needs.