Why Mazda's Award-Winning Approach to Safety Begins with Great Design

Comparing 2026 Mazda CX-5 trims is easier when you focus on what you will use every day. Select adds useful conveniences, Preferred brings more comfort for Minnesota weather, Premium changes the cabin atmosphere, and Premium Plus adds technology for parking and longer drives. Select: Everyday convenience The CX-5 Select builds on the base 2.5 S with leatherette seating, rear air vents, keyless entry, and wireless phone charging. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto also work wirelessly on this trim. During a test drive, pair your phone and have someone sit in the back. If those small conveniences meet your needs, Select may be the right place to start. Preferred: More comfort in changing weather Preferred adds heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a windshield wiper de-icer. The driver also gets a power seat with memory settings, while a full-color Active Driving Display projects information onto the windshield. Outside, Preferred gains 19-inch wheels, roof rails, and a power liftgate. Try setting the driver’s seat, checking the projected display from your normal seating position, and opening the liftgate. These are the upgrades most likely to make Preferred feel different during a regular week. Premium: A different cabin feel Premium adds leather seating, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a panoramic sunroof. It also brings color-selectable ambient lighting and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. Rear passengers gain USB-C charging ports. The difference is easiest to judge from inside. Sit in both rows, look up through the roof, and listen to music you know well. Premium also adds dark exterior details, so walk around the vehicle before deciding how much the styling matters to you. Premium Plus: More help in tight spaces and traffic Premium Plus replaces the 12.9-inch center touchscreen with a 15.6-inch display. It adds a hands-free power liftgate, a 360° View Monitor, and Driver Personalization, which can help adjust the seat and mirrors for the driver. Additional driver assistance features include Front Cross Traffic Alert and Braking and Cruising and Traffic Support with Lane Change Assist. Ask for a demonstration of how these systems operate and what the driver must continue to do while using them. At Mazda of Alexandria, compare the specific CX-5 trims you are considering on the same visit. Use the same route, bring a passenger, and try the features you would use most. That will tell you more than a feature list alone.

There is no single Mazda transmission fluid interval that fits every vehicle. The answer depends on your model, year, transmission, and the maintenance instructions written for it. If a shop recommends fluid service based only on mileage, ask how that recommendation applies to your Mazda. Start with your vehicle’s maintenance schedule Mazda’s schedules do not treat every transmission the same way. One model may call for periodic fluid inspections, while another may specify a replacement interval. Some automatic transmissions do not have a routine fluid replacement interval listed. Check the maintenance schedule for your exact vehicle before assuming a service is overdue. Your service advisor can also review the vehicle’s history to see whether the fluid has already been inspected or changed. Which symptoms call for an inspection? Delayed engagement when you shift into Drive or Reverse, unusually hard shifts, slipping, or unexpected changes in gear are worth describing to a technician. A transmission warning, a new fluid leak, or a noticeable change in how the vehicle accelerates also calls for attention. These symptoms do not prove that the fluid needs changing. Several causes are possible, and a fluid service alone may not correct the problem. If the vehicle struggles to move or shift safely, stop driving and arrange an inspection before using it again. What should you ask before approving fluid service? Ask the service advisor what your Mazda’s maintenance schedule specifies and what the inspection found. If fluid replacement is recommended, ask which fluid specification the vehicle requires, what procedure is proposed, and why that procedure fits your vehicle. If you came in because of a shifting problem, ask whether diagnostic testing is needed first. A technician may review warning codes, check for leaks, and evaluate the symptoms before recommending maintenance or repair. That gives you a clearer reason for the work than mileage or a symptom alone. Alexandria Mazda can review your vehicle’s schedule and service history, then inspect a transmission concern. When you book an appointment, describe exactly when the symptom occurs, such as during a cold start, while accelerating, or when shifting into gear. Those details help the service team determine the appropriate next step.

The Mazda CX-90 is one of the most versatile three-row SUVs on the market, and one decision you'll need to make when configuring yours is where you stand on the Mazda CX-90 captain's chairs vs bench seat question. It's not just about looks - it's about how your family uses the vehicle day to day. What Are Your Options With Mazda CX-90 Seating? The 2026 Mazda CX-90 offers flexible seating configurations, with the ability to seat either 7 or 8 passengers depending on the package and trim combination you choose. The second row is where the real difference is - you can opt for a bench seat that stretches across the full row, or choose captain's chairs that create two individual, separated seats. The Case for Captain's Chairs If comfort and easy access to the third row are priorities, captain's chairs are worth serious consideration. These individual bucket-style seats provide each second-row passenger with their own dedicated space, which can make longer drives much more comfortable for adults. The gap between the chairs also creates a natural walkthrough to the third row, making it easier for kids to climb back without everyone having to shuffle around. For families who frequently use all three rows, this seating layout tends to feel more practical. The trade-off is capacity - captain's chairs reduce total seating from 8 to 7 passengers. The Case for the Bench Seat If you regularly need to carry a full load of passengers, the bench seat configuration is the smarter choice. That extra seat in the second row brings total capacity to 8, which is important for larger families or carpools. A bench seat also offers more flexibility when it comes to seating 3 across the middle row - helpful when you have younger children who need to sit together or when you're occasionally transporting extra guests. How Trim and Package Choices Affect Mazda CX-90 Seating It's important to know that not every Mazda CX-90 trim or package combination offers both seating configurations. Your choice of captain's chairs vs bench seat on the Mazda CX-90 will depend on which trim level and package you select, so it's worth mapping out your priorities before diving into the build process. Speaking with a product specialist who knows the current inventory can save you time and help you land on the exact combination that fits your needs. Discover The Mazda CX-90 At Alexandria Mazda No matter if you prioritize comfort and accessibility with captain's chairs, or maximum capacity with a bench seat, the Mazda CX-90 captain's chairs vs bench seat choice ultimately comes down to how you use your SUV most. Both configurations are well-designed and deliver the premium feels the CX-90 is known for. Stop by and explore your options with the team at Alexandria Mazda - they can walk you through available inventory and help you find the configuration that's right for your family.