2026 Mazda CX-50 2.5 S Preferred: Stamford Buyers Guide

Quick Answer: 2026 CX-50 2.5 S Preferred

The 2.5 S Preferred, $32,400 MSRP, is where the CX-50 stops being an entry model and starts feeling finished. Over the Select it adds a power rear liftgate, an 8-way power driver's seat with lumbar, heated front seats and mirrors, and, new for 2026, a power sliding panoramic moonroof plus front and rear parking sensors, both formerly upper-trim equipment. A white leatherette interior joined the options list this year for $200. Same 187-hp AWD powertrain, same 24/30 EPA rating. For most Stamford buyers who aren't chasing the turbo, this is the sweet spot, and Riley Mazda keeps it in stock on Myrtle Ave.

The trim that got the 2026 upgrades

Model years usually shuffle features quietly; this one moved real hardware down the ladder. The panoramic moonroof, previously a reason to climb trims, now slides open on every Preferred. Parking sensors at both ends became standard too, which anyone who threads a CX-50 into a downtown Stamford garage or a Bedford Street parallel spot will use daily. Add the heated seats and mirrors that Connecticut Januarys demand and the power liftgate that earns its keep the first time you approach the car with a cooler in both hands, and the $2,500 step from the Select mostly pays for things you'll touch every single day.

The driving experience doesn't change, and that's a compliment. The 2.5-liter four and six-speed automatic are an unbothered pair, the AWD system shuffles torque before you notice the road surface did anything, and the ride is planted in the way Mazda fans buy the badge for.

Same-day simple, apparently

One Preferred-grade story from the store's reviews stands out for logistics alone. Alan R. called about CX-50 availability: "had an appointment set up in minutes with Miguel, he was super friendly over the phone and in person." The team delivered the car the same day, staying past closing so he'd have it for the week. Miguel Barraza is a certified sales consultant on the Riley Mazda staff page, and same-day turnarounds are the kind of thing a family store three generations deep can decide to do without a committee.

Preferred or the two above it?

The fork after this trim splits by personality. Outdoorsy buyers eyeing all-terrain tires and blacked-out styling should read the Meridian Edition guide; it costs just $750 more. Comfort-first buyers who want leather, Bose sound, and ventilated seats should look at the 2.5 S Premium at $2,500 more. And if the answer to "what's missing?" is horsepower, skip straight to the 2.5 Turbo. The Preferred is the trim you buy when the answer is "nothing, actually."

Frequently asked questions

What does the 2026 CX-50 Preferred cost?

$32,400 MSRP plus $1,495 destination, before Connecticut taxes and registration. Factory lease and finance programs rotate monthly; the current ones are posted on the new-vehicle specials page and unpacked in the pricing guide.

Does the Preferred have a moonroof?

Yes, as of 2026 the power sliding panoramic moonroof is standard on the Preferred. On 2025 and earlier cars it wasn't, which is worth remembering when you compare against used listings.

Are the seats heated? Leather?

Heated in front, yes, along with heated door mirrors. The upholstery is leatherette, black or the new-for-2026 white option ($200); genuine leather starts at the Premium.

What's the fuel economy?

EPA-estimated 24 city / 30 highway / 26 combined on regular gasoline, identical to every 2.5 S trim. If those numbers are the whole conversation for you, the Hybrid Preferred posts 38 combined for $2,350 more.

Is the Preferred good in snow?

Standard i-Activ AWD, heated mirrors, and available heated everything make it a natural North Stamford winter car. The system monitors conditions continuously and pre-loads torque where it's about to be needed rather than reacting after wheels slip.

Where can I test drive one?

Live inventory is posted here; the store sits at 75 Myrtle Ave, an easy detour off both I-95 and the Merritt.

The bottom line

Most trim walks ask you to pay for prestige. This one sells daily-use hardware: glass overhead, motors in the seat and liftgate, sensors at the bumpers, warmth where Connecticut demands it. That's why the Preferred is the CX-50 most people should start with, and often the one they drive home.