2026 CX-50 2.5 S Premium
Quick Answer: 2026 Mazda CX-50 2.5 S Premium
The Premium tops the naturally aspirated 2.5 S line at $34,900 MSRP and is where the CX-50 starts feeling like an entry-luxury crossover: 20-inch machine-cut alloy wheels, leather seating that's now ventilated up front — new for 2026 — Bose premium audio, a windshield wiper de-icer for actual New Jersey winters, and power memory for both front seats, also new this year. Same 187-hp engine and standard AWD as the Select and Preferred beneath it; every dollar here goes into cabin comfort and finish, not power.
The features that actually matter on a January morning
Two additions this trim year are easy to overlook on a spec sheet and genuinely useful once winter hits Route 22: the windshield wiper de-icer, which keeps ice from welding the wipers to the glass overnight, and the newly ventilated front seats, which sound like a summer feature but pair with three-level seat heating that's standard across the cabin here. Add Traffic Sign Recognition — also new for 2026 — and the Premium is quietly one of the more thoughtfully updated trims in the whole lineup this year, not just a repeat of last year's spec sheet with a price bump.
The Bose premium audio system is the other headline item, and it's a real step up from the standard 8-speaker setup on Select and Preferred — worth an actual listen on a test drive rather than taking the spec sheet's word for it.
Leather, memory seats, and the case against the Turbo
Power seat memory for both driver and passenger arrives new for 2026, which matters more than it sounds like in a household where two people regularly drive the same car — no more re-adjusting the seat and mirrors every time you swap. Combined with genuine leather seating and 20-inch wheels, the Premium reads more expensive than its $34,900 MSRP suggests, and for buyers who care more about cabin feel than outright horsepower, it's a legitimate alternative to stepping up to the 2.5 Turbo at $37,900 — you keep $3,000 in your pocket and lose acceleration, not comfort.
Where it sits against the Meridian and the Turbo
Next to the 2.5 S Meridian Edition, the Premium is the more conventionally luxurious choice — chrome trim instead of black-out, street tires instead of all-terrain, but a genuinely nicer stereo and softer leather. Against the 2.5 Turbo, the calculus is simple: pay $3,000 more for meaningfully more power and 3,500-lb towing, or stay here and get Bose audio, leather, and ventilated seats the Turbo's base trim doesn't include at all.
What buyers say
Reviews of Empire Mazda's better-equipped trims tend to mention the finance and delivery experience as much as the car itself — reasonable, given the higher price point invites more questions. Yash G. described a salesperson who "walked us through every detail of the 2026 CX-50, answered every question we threw at him without making us feel rushed," which is exactly the pace a Premium-level purchase deserves.
Frequently asked questions
What does the 2026 CX-50 2.5 S Premium cost?
MSRP is $34,900, before Mazda's $1,495 destination charge and New Jersey's 6.625% sales tax. The pricing & leasing guide covers current lease and finance offers.
Does the Premium have more power than the Preferred?
No — same 187-hp 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine across the entire 2.5 S line. Power only increases with the 2.5 Turbo trims.
What's new on the Premium for 2026?
Ventilated front seats, power memory for both driver and passenger seats, and Traffic Sign Recognition are all new this model year.
Is the Premium's leather real leather?
Yes, genuine leather seating surfaces, a step up from the SofTex synthetic-leather-style material Mazda uses elsewhere in the lineup on lower trims.
Where can I test drive a Premium in Green Brook?
Browse Premium trim inventory at Empire Mazda of Green Brook, or start the purchase online through the dealership's digital tools.
The bottom line
The 2.5 S Premium is the answer for buyers who want a CX-50 that feels expensive without spending Turbo money to get there. Leather, Bose audio, ventilated seats, and real winter-ready touches like the wiper de-icer — all on the dependable base engine.
MSRP figures exclude Mazda's $1,495 destination charge plus taxes, title, registration, and dealer-installed options; the dealer sets the actual selling price. Fuel-economy figures are EPA estimates. Equipment and availability can shift with configuration and production timing; confirm current specs with Empire Mazda of Green Brook. Customer quotes are excerpts from public Google reviews of Empire Mazda of Green Brook.