2026 Mazda CX-90 3.3 Turbo Preferred: Green Brook
Quick Answer: 2026 Mazda CX-90 3.3 Turbo Preferred
The Preferred sits one step up from the Select at $43,450 MSRP and spends its $4,150 premium almost entirely on comfort a family actually uses every day: a power sliding-glass moonroof with a tilt feature, leather-trimmed heated front and 2nd-row seats, and 21-inch alloy wheels in a Silver Metallic finish. The engine, AWD system, and 8-passenger 3-row seating carry over unchanged — this is the same 280-hp, 3.3-liter turbo inline-six running on regular fuel, just with a nicer cabin around it. For a two-driver Green Brook household that wants heated seats through winter without jumping all the way to Premium Sport's towing package, the Preferred is the natural landing spot.
The single best-value jump in the CX-90 lineup
$4,150 over the Select buys a moonroof, heated front and 2nd-row leather seats, and larger 21-inch wheels — and unlike some trim jumps that bundle in features you'll never use, everything on this list is something a daily driver in central Jersey will actually notice. Heated seats matter through a Route 22 winter commute; a moonroof matters on the first 60-degree day in March. The 280-hp turbo engine, standard AWD, and the 60/40-split third row carry over exactly as they were on the Select, so nothing about how the Preferred drives or how much it can carry changes — only how it feels to sit in.
Like the Select, the Preferred runs on regular 87-octane gas and posts EPA estimates of 23 city / 28 highway / 25 combined. Towing follows Mazda's general 3,500-to-5,000-pound range for the lineup "when properly equipped" — the explicit 5,000-pound rating is called out starting at the next trim up, Premium Sport, so a Preferred owner planning to tow should confirm the Preferred's specific rated capacity with Empire Mazda of Green Brook before assuming the top figure applies.
What the next step up actually adds
Moving to the Premium Sport at $47,480 adds the confirmed 5,000-pound towing capacity, Mi-Drive's Sport/Off-Road/Towing modes, and a more aggressive black-finish 21-inch wheel and exterior trim look. That's a real functional upgrade for anyone planning to tow a trailer or a boat, not just a styling change. If towing isn't in the picture, the Preferred's moonroof-and-leather package covers what most buyers actually cross-shop trim levels for.
Who actually buys the Preferred
Families who've already decided on the CX-90 over a smaller crossover and want the comfort equipment without paying for towing capability they won't use, plus buyers replacing an aging 3-row SUV who specifically want heated seats as a non-negotiable. Kevin M.'s review of the CX-90 buying process at Empire Mazda of Green Brook captures the kind of low-pressure conversation that leads buyers to a mid-tier trim rather than the cheapest or most expensive option: "Our salesman, Brandon, couldn't have been nicer. He was well versed in all the options and wasn't pushy at all... didn't play games with numbers, was very straightforward and easy to talk with."
Frequently asked questions
What does the 2026 CX-90 3.3 Turbo Preferred cost?
MSRP is $43,450, before Mazda's $1,530 destination charge, New Jersey's 6.625% sales tax, and registration fees. The pricing & leasing guide covers the full out-the-door math.
Does the Preferred have heated seats?
Yes — both the front and 2nd-row seats are heated on the Preferred, upgraded from the Select's leatherette (non-heated) seating. It's one of the two headline additions over the base trim, alongside the moonroof.
Is the Preferred's towing capacity the full 5,000 pounds?
Mazda's published range for the lineup is 3,500 to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, but the explicit 5,000-pound figure and Mi-Drive's dedicated Towing mode are called out starting at the Premium Sport trim, one step above the Preferred. Confirm the Preferred's specific rated capacity with Empire Mazda of Green Brook's sales team if towing is a deciding factor.
What's the difference between Preferred and Select?
Comfort equipment only: a power moonroof, heated leather front and 2nd-row seats, and 21-inch Silver Metallic wheels on the Preferred, versus leatherette and a fixed roof on the Select. The engine, AWD system, and seating capacity are identical.
Where can I see one in Green Brook?
Check live Preferred inventory at Empire Mazda of Green Brook, or start a deal online through the dealership's digital showroom.
The bottom line
The Preferred is the trim most Green Brook families actually drive home in — a real comfort upgrade over the Select for a manageable $4,150, with the same engine and capability underneath. If towing a trailer isn't part of the plan, this is likely where the value curve peaks in the 3.3 Turbo lineup.
MSRP figures exclude Mazda's $1,530 destination charge plus taxes, title, registration, and dealer-installed options; the dealer sets the actual selling price. Fuel-economy figures are EPA estimates; actual mileage varies with driving conditions. Towing capacity varies by trim and requires proper equipment; confirm the Preferred's specific rating with Empire Mazda of Green Brook. Equipment and availability can shift with configuration and production timing. Customer quotes are excerpts from public Google reviews of Empire Mazda of Green Brook.