If you’ve been shopping for a Mazda, you’ve likely noticed that many models offer a feature called the Mazda Active Driving Display. But what exactly does this feature do? Let’s delve into Mazda Active Driving Display to see how it works and which vehicles offer it.

What is the Mazda Active Driving Display?

According to Compass Mazda, Mazda Active Driving Display is a head-up display. This means that certain pertinent information will be projected directly onto the windshield within the driver’s line of sight. Head-up displays are a safety feature that is designed to help keep drivers’ eyes on the road, rather than needing to look away to find relevant information. 

MotorTrend states that head-up displays were formally a hallmark of luxury brands. However, this isn’t the case anymore. As more vehicles eschew analog components in favor of digital screens, convenience features like head-up displays are becoming increasingly common in luxury and mainstream vehicles alike.

There are two types of head-up displays currently on the market: the type that projects directly onto the windshield, and a more affordable version that simply projects onto a small plastic panel in front of the driver. Mazda Active Driving Display projects directly onto the windshield.

Displays that project onto the windshield are more versatile, as there is less of a space limit. This means that drivers are often able to choose the features they would like to see. Additionally, MotorTrend notes that head-up displays which project onto the windshield are slightly more convenient for the driver, as these are more directly in the driver’s line of sight.

It is worth noting, however, that displays that project onto the windshield tend to be more expensive. It can also be harder to see these displays if you are wearing polarized sunglasses, according to MotorTrend.

The features built into this display

The Mazda Active Driving Display will show the vehicle’s speed and cruise control settings by default. It also works in tandem with Mazda’s infotainment system. If you program your route into this system, the head-up display will show your next turn on the windshield.

However, Compass Mazda points out that this navigation display will not work if you try to pair it with other navigation apps — it only functions if you program your route into Mazda’s infotainment system.

The Active Driving Display also pairs with Mazda’s optional suite of safety features, i-ACTIVSENSE. If you have this set of safety features, the Active Driving Display will show warnings and alerts from systems such as blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and smart city brake support.

Finally, the Mazda Active Driving Display can provide warnings if stop signs are approaching. It can also show speed limits for the area you are driving in, although this will only work properly if the system has access to the most up-to-date information about the local area.

Vehicles that come with Mazda Active Driving Display

According to Fontana Mazda, there are six 2020 Mazda models that offer Mazda Active Driving Display. It is important to note, however, that this feature is only available on certain trim levels.

The 2020 models that offer this feature are: the Mazda3 Premium trim; the CX-3; the CX-30 Premium trim; the CX-5 Grand Touring, Reserve, and Signature trims; the Mazda6 Grand Touring, Reserve, and Signature trims; and the Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring and Signature trims.

Although it is not an essential feature, Mazda Active Driving Display offers an additional level of safety and convenience. By displaying key information on the windshield, head-up displays like this help keep drivers’ eyes focused on the road while traveling.