📖 The Quick Answer
Mazda i-Activsense bundles Smart Brake Support (SBS, which is AEB with pedestrian detection), Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Lane Departure Warning, Lane-Keep Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Driver Attention Alert, and High Beam Control. Higher trims add Cruising and Traffic Support (CTS) for hands-on lane centering.
⚙ How It Works (Sensors and Algorithm)
Hardware is a forward camera behind the windshield, a forward millimeter-wave radar in the lower grille, two rear corner radars in the rear bumper, and ultrasonic sensors. The Forward Sensing Camera ECU fuses inputs. CX-70 and CX-90 add two front corner radars for the See-Through View 360 camera.
🛡 What It Protects Against
Rear-end collisions, lane departures, pedestrian strikes at city speeds, and blind-spot lane changes. IIHS rates the CX-5, CX-50, CX-9, CX-90, and Mazda3 with i-Activsense as Top Safety Picks Plus.
⚠ Limitations and When It Fails
Mazda Smart Brake Support has a known sensitivity issue with white walls and overhead signs, which Mazda addressed in MY2022 with a software update (TSB 09-002-22). Like all camera-based systems, it depends on clear lane paint and a clean windshield. After a windshield replacement, both static and dynamic calibration are required.
🚗 Which Vehicles Have It
Every 2021+ Mazda has i-Activsense standard. Lineup includes Mazda3, CX-3 (discontinued 2021), CX-30, CX-5, CX-50, CX-9 (discontinued 2023), CX-70, CX-90, and MX-5 Miata (limited subset). Cruising and Traffic Support is standard on Signature and Carbon trims.
🔧 Related TSBs and Recalls
Recall 21V-562 covers the front sensing camera on certain 2019 to 2020 Mazda3 and CX-30, which can stop functioning at low temperatures. TSB 09-040-22 covers radar realignment after a front-end collision.