2026 Mazda CX-50 2.5 S Meridian Edition: Stamford Buyers Guide

Quick Answer: 2026 CX-50 2.5 S Meridian Edition

New for 2026, the 2.5 S Meridian Edition brings the CX-50's trail-flavored package to the base 187-hp engine for the first time: $33,150 MSRP buys 18-inch black-metallic wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires, black aluminum roof rails, exclusive black leather seats, and three-level heated front seats. It comes in exactly three colors — Jet Black Mica, Polymetal Gray Metallic, and Zircon Sand Metallic — and reads as the most deliberately outdoorsy CX-50 under $35,000. Previously the Meridian treatment required the turbo engine and a $40,000-plus budget. Riley Mazda in Stamford carries it alongside the rest of the range.

Why this trim exists now

Mazda watched who was actually buying Meridians, and the answer was people who wanted the tires and the look more than they wanted 320 lb-ft. For 2026 the company split the difference: same all-terrain rubber, same blacked-out rails and wheels, same rugged interior treatment, bolted to the naturally aspirated 2.5 that most owners find entirely sufficient. The result undercuts the Turbo Meridian by $7,250.

Around Stamford the case writes itself. The dirt lot at Mianus River Park, the gravel stretch to a Candlewood boat launch, a soft shoulder on a North Stamford back road in mud season, none of it demands low-range gearing; it demands sidewall, tread, and AWD that reacts before you do. That's precisely this package. And when the errand is Trader Joe's rather than a trailhead, all-terrains on 18s ride noticeably gentler over frost-heaved pavement than the 20-inch wheels the Premium wears.

What you trade for the look

Two honest costs. All-terrain tires give up a little highway hush and a hair of fuel economy versus the standard rubber, though the EPA sticker is rated for the trim as sold. And the three-color palette means no Soul Red; the Meridian's personality lives in matte-adjacent earth tones, with Zircon Sand as its signature. If neither bothers you, this trim's equipment overlaps the Preferred's daily-use kit, heated seats included, while adding actual leather, a Preferred-to-Premium bridge Mazda didn't previously offer.

Buyers seem to keep it simple

The reviews around CX-50 purchases at this store run short and satisfied. William T. wrote: "Amazing service and team, such a smooth transaction . Extremely happy with my CX-50, has everything I need." That "has everything I need" energy is the Meridian shopper's whole thesis: pick the equipment that matches the life, skip the rest.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Meridian Edition, exactly?

A factory trim, not an accessory package: all-terrain tires on 18-inch black wheels, black roof rails, black leather seating, and heated front seats with three settings, built on the 2.5 S powertrain. Mazda also sells a Turbo Meridian Edition with more power and further styling additions; they're separate trims with separate prices.

How much does it cost?

$33,150 MSRP plus $1,495 destination, before Connecticut's taxes and fees. That's $750 over the Preferred and $1,750 under the Premium; the pricing guide maps the whole ladder.

Is the 2.5 S Meridian new for 2026?

Yes. Through 2025, Meridian Edition meant turbo-only. If a listing or an older article tells you every Meridian has 256 hp, it's describing the previous year's lineup.

Can it actually go off-road?

It's built for the unpaved-but-mapped world: fire roads, launch ramps, muddy field parking, snowed-in driveways. Standard i-Activ AWD plus genuine all-terrain tread covers that convincingly. Rock crawling is a different hobby with different hardware.

Does the all-terrain tire hurt fuel economy?

The 2.5 S family's EPA estimate is 24 city / 30 highway; expect the Meridian to live at the realistic end of that range given its rubber. If efficiency is the priority, the Hybrid Preferred is the answer at $1,600 more.

Where can I see the Zircon Sand color in person?

Riley Mazda's live inventory lists each car's color; the store is at 75 Myrtle Ave in Stamford, and photos never quite do that paint justice.

The bottom line

The 2.5 S Meridian is the CX-50's mission statement at its most affordable: the tires, the stance, and the wipe-clean black leather, without the turbo surcharge. For the buyer whose weekends end in gravel lots and whose weekdays end in a parking garage, it might be the most honest trim in the lineup.