2026 CX-5 2.5 S Select

The one upgrade that changes daily driving

Most trim-ladder upgrades are nice-to-haves you notice occasionally. Wireless CarPlay is one you notice every single time you get in the car. On the base 2.5 S, Google built-in handles navigation and voice assistant duty natively, which covers a lot of ground — but if your phone is an iPhone and your habit is CarPlay, plugging in a cable every morning gets old fast. The Select trim removes that friction entirely: your phone connects automatically the moment you're in range, every time, no cable, no fumbling with a cord while backing out of a Route 22 side street. Android Auto compatibility comes along with it.

Mazda paired that connectivity jump with two comfort upgrades that read as more expensive than the roughly $2,000 price step suggests. The leatherette seating swaps in embossed microsuede inserts, which sounds like a marketing phrase until you're actually sitting on it — the microsuede panels grip better than smooth leatherette and run noticeably cooler in a car that's been parked in a July parking lot. The mirrors gain automatic power-folding and heating, a detail that matters more in central New Jersey winters than it sounds like it should when you're de-icing a mirror by hand at 7am before a service appointment.

Everything the base trim already had, unchanged

The Select doesn't touch the mechanical layer at all. Same 187-hp SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter engine, same six-speed automatic, same i-Activ AWD standard, same 12.9-inch touchscreen and 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster, same full i-Activsense safety suite — Rear Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Assist, Emergency Lane Keeping, Traffic Sign Recognition, and radar cruise control with speed limit assist. If you're deciding between the 2.5 S and the Select, the question really is just: how much does wireless CarPlay matter to you, day in and day out? For a lot of buyers the answer turns out to be "more than I expected."

What Select buyers say at Empire Mazda of Green Brook

Nikki B., a recent CX-5 buyer at Empire Mazda of Green Brook, described the kind of experience that keeps this dealership's rating at 4.7 stars across nearly 800 reviews: "Bought my Mazda CX-5 with James and couldn't be happier. He was super attentive and made sure everything was handled perfectly. You can tell he knows how important it is to create a great overall experience and not miss the little things." That "little things" comment tracks with what the Select trim itself is about — it's not a dramatic jump in capability, it's a collection of small, daily-use improvements that add up.

Frequently asked questions

Is the CX-5 2.5 S Select worth the upgrade over the base trim?

If wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto matters to your daily routine, the roughly $2,000 step from the 2.5 S is one of the better dollar-for-dollar upgrades on the whole trim ladder — it removes a small daily annoyance permanently. The leatherette-microsuede seats and heated power-folding mirrors are worthwhile bonuses on top.

Does the Select trim have the same engine as the base CX-5?

Yes. Every 2026 CX-5 trim, Select included, uses the same 187-hp SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter engine, six-speed automatic, and standard i-Activ AWD. Trim differences on this generation are entirely about equipment, not drivetrain.

What's the difference between the CX-5 Select and Preferred trims?

The Preferred trim, one step up, adds 19-inch black-finish alloy wheels, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat with memory, and a programmable power rear liftgate — features aimed at daily convenience rather than connectivity. The full breakdown is in the 2.5 S Preferred guide.

Where can I see a 2026 CX-5 Select in Green Brook, NJ?

Empire Mazda of Green Brook, 220 US-22, typically stocks Select-trim CX-5s; check current inventory or call 732-658-9288 before visiting.