3 Best MAZDA SUVs for Back-to-School

The awards keep coming in for new Mazda models. Their most recent wins include five 2026 Newsweek Readers’ Choice™ Awards, recognizing their vehicles for superior performance and the brand itself for delivering an experience that shoppers love. Sentry West Mazda shares all the exciting details. more Newsweek Readers’ Choice™ Awards Newsweek is a weekly news magazine with a rich history that dates back to 1933. Along with Time and U.S. News & World Report, it’s considered one of the “Big Three” of U.S. newsweeklies and reaches millions of readers globally. Each year, they look for consumer favorites with Readers’ Choice™ contests, which they stagger throughout the year with categories in automotive, travel, financial services, lifestyle products, and more. In the automotive category, the Readers’ Choice™ Awards honor standout automotive brands, as well as specific vehicles. To determine the winners, Newsweek conducts a four-week public voting period. They recognize the top players in terms of quality, performance, design, and ownership experience. MAZDA Awards Mazda was honored in three automotive brand categories and had two model winners. Their 2026 Newsweek Readers’ Choice™ Award wins include: Best Car Brand Best SUV Brand Best Brand Dealership Experience Best New Car – Mazda3 Best New SUV – Mazda CX-5 These wins show that Mazda cares not just about building high-quality vehicles for shoppers, but that the brand also strives to make every step of the car shopping process more appealing. Explore Our New MAZDA Models in Shrewsbury, MA Are you interested in owning an award-winning Mazda vehicle? Whether you’re looking for a daily driver like the Mazda3 or a family-oriented vehicle like the Mazda CX-5, we can help make it happen. Visit Sentry West Mazda to get started today!

Timing a vehicle purchase is an important decision for every car shopper. Many buyers around this time of year wonder if they should buy a new Mazda model now or wait for next year’s arrivals. Each path has advantages, and the right answer depends on what you want next. Sentry West Mazda can help you compare both options. more Why July Works in Your Favor Buying in July means choosing from a model year that has already proven itself on real roads. You also skip the wait and can trade in your current vehicle before another winter adds wear. Dealerships are often trying to clear out inventory around this time to make room for new models coming in, so you may have more leverage in negotiations. When Holding Out Makes Sense Newer models can bring fresh styling, updated cabin materials, and newer safety and connectivity technology. Waiting may also open more colors, trims, and packages as the full lineup arrives. If a specific feature you want debuts next year, you may want to be patient. Questions Worth Asking Before You Decide Start by asking whether the model you want is being redesigned, because a carryover year means next year’s version will not be all that different from the current model year. Ask which features are changing and whether they matter to your daily drive. Additionally, consider the condition of your current vehicle, if you have one, and ask yourself if it will be able to make it until next year. Find Your New MAZDA Models at Sentry West MAZDA There is no single right answer—it all depends on your priorities, timeline, and daily drive. Our Mazda dealership in Shrewsbury, MA, can tell you which models are carrying over and walk you through your options. Stop by to settle the question with a test drive.

Once you’ve chosen the perfect vehicle, you’ve got one more big decision to make. Do you want to lease your new car or apply for Mazda financing? Sentry West Mazda outlines both options to help you decide which is right for you. more Perks of Financing With financing, you apply for a loan to cover the entire price of a vehicle and pay it back in monthly payments. This can take 36 to 84 months, depending on the terms you choose. As you make payments, you’ll build equity until you own your vehicle outright. You can sell your vehicle at any time and apply any positive equity towards a new purchase, or you could keep your vehicle and live without an auto payment. Perks of Leasing Leases are technically a long-term rental. Most leases last 24 or 36 months, and then you return your vehicle to the dealership. Since you’re only borrowing the vehicle, you only pay the estimated depreciation during your lease. This makes leasing more affordable than financing, with smaller monthly payments. Plus, you have the flexibility of upgrading your vehicle every few years, while avoiding the hassle of selling. Choosing One Option Leases have a mileage allowance, so financing is arguably the better option for people who drive a lot. You also can’t modify a leased vehicle. However, leases are better options for drivers who enjoy consistently upgrading to the latest styles and newest technology. Warranty coverage typically lasts throughout the duration of a lease, so you could also avoid expensive repairs that you may face with an older model. Shop Our New MAZDA Models in Shrewsbury, MA Whether you’re interested in financing or leasing, we can help. Stop in and discuss your options with the financial experts at Sentry West Mazda today!