The CX-70 is Mazda’s tackle the CX-90 minus the third row of seats, taking the model’s largest SUV from an eight-seater to a five-seater and giving it a brand new mannequin identify. That will sound dismissive, however within the automotive world, such simplicity is a rarity, and it is one thing we recognize. To simply differentiate the 2, we would break it down like this: If you happen to go to a Mazda supplier wanting a big five-seater SUV, you then have a look at the CX-70. If you happen to want extra seating house on the expense of cargo room, you go for the CX-90. The one huge resolution for both is whether or not you need a plug-in hybrid or a gasoline-powered six-cylinder engine with a light hybrid help.
We already just like the CX-90 and have pushed it for a full week with the inline-six-cylinder engine, so this is a vital follow-up; we received some good seat time with the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) CX-70 propelling us round Palm Springs and alongside the freeway.
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Pushed: 2024 Mazda CX-90 Zigs Whereas Everybody Else Zags
Mazda upsizes whereas everybody else downsizes – the place it counts.
Exterior: A Refined Distinction
Solely automobile nerds will be capable to spot the distinction between the CX-70 and CX-90 with out listening to the rear badge. Look carefully, although, and you may see the CX-70 has a distinct entrance and rear fascia hinting at some further sportiness, whereas the gloss-black rear roof spoiler rounds out the form to present it considerably extra of a coupe-like look. There is not any distinction in dimensions, with solely curb weight exhibiting the CX-90 is heavier due to the additional row of seating.
Exterior Dimensions: CX-70 vs. CX-90
CX-70
CX-90
Wheelbase
122.8 inches
122.8 inches
Size
201.6 inches
201.6 inches
Width
84.9 inches
84.9 inches
Top
68.2 inches
68.2 inches
Curb Weight
4,863 – 5,198 lbs
4,709 – 5,243 lbs
Paint choices for the CX-70 are restricted, with Jet Black Mica being the usual shade and an upcharge of $450 being required for Polymetal Grey, Zircon Sand, or the extravagant-looking Melting Copper Metallic – the latter is not accessible on the bottom inline-six mannequin. The 2 premium choices costing $595 are Mazda’s signature Soul Purple Crystal or Rhodium White. It is an attention-grabbing resolution to make white a premium-cost possibility.
Inside: The Identical, However Totally different
Contained in the CX-70, it feels precisely the identical within the driver’s seat. Transfer again, although, and the rear bench seat will be remotely folded all the way down to take storage from slightly below 40 cubic ft as much as a smidge over 75 cubic ft, which is lots for a pair’s lengthy weekend journey. Mazda has additionally added what it calls a sub-trunk along with the spare tire storage space beneath the load-bearing deck. It is good for storing away valuables and small items of bags when leaving the automobile to go on an exercise.
However inside can also be the place the primary distinction between the CX-70 and Cx-90 is seen. Whereas the CX-70 has two rows of seating, the CX-90 affords three (and an additional choice to seat two folks or three within the rear-most perch). The distinction, as mirrored within the inside dimensions, is not as huge as you’d anticipate.
2025 Mazda CX-70
Two-Row
Inside Dimensions
Headroom Entrance|Rear
39.6 – 39.7 | 38.4 – 39.3 inches
Legrooom Entrance|Rear
41.7 | 39.4 inches
Cargo House
39.6 – 75.3 ft³
2024 Mazda CX-90
Three-Row
Inside Dimensions
Headroom Entrance|Rear
39.7 | 39.3 | 36.9 inches
Legrooom Entrance|Rear
41.7 | 39.4 | 30.4 inches
Cargo House
14.9 – 75.2 ft³
Infotainment: Further Content material
Each the driving force’s gauge cluster and heart infotainment display are 12.3-inch items. The big driver show is well-sized to show fairly a little bit of precious info on the identical time, and has the flexibility to additionally show navigation by way of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto right here. Alexa Constructed-in has been added and can be utilized to function local weather controls, the heating on the seats, and navigation, in addition to make telephone calls and management audio features.
A brand new Mazda On-line Navigation System has additionally been added, however, there’s a caveat:
It requires an SD card, and updates are free for 3 years. After three years, the SD card must be changed if the client needs to proceed to obtain map updates.
We expect it is unlikely anybody will fiddle with an SD card for automobile navigation in three years’ time, so that does not appear to be significantly user-friendly.
Beneath The Hood: Outdated College Or New
It is an odd resolution to develop and launch a straight-six cylinder engine (straight, which means the cylinders are all in a straight line quite than the 2 banks of three that make a V6) within the 2020s, however Mazda has accomplished it. The benefit is a smoother engine, however the drawback is needing an extended engine bay and never utilizing the width. Mazda has additionally mixed it with a light hybrid system, and the result’s a refined but fairly potent powertrain in both Turbo or Turbo S trim. Energy can go to all 4 wheels, or simply the rears. An inline-six with rear-wheel drive is BMWs specialty, and one Mercedes not too long ago moved again to for some fashions. In different phrases, it is a traditional but premium strategy.
The PHEV model is available in Premium and Premium Plus trims, dropping the inline-six’s base most popular trim. It matches a 100 kW motor to a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and makes 323 horsepower with 369 lb-ft of torque total – you will lose just a few horses in the event you do not use premium gasoline. Both means, it is fairly a bit greater than the bottom inline-six’s 280 hp and 332 lb-ft. Nevertheless, the inline-six setup (in both state of tune) can tow as much as 5,000 kilos, whereas the PHEV can solely tow as much as 3,500 kilos. Like all towing maxes now, that is probably all the way down to cooling means.
Engine
Horsepower
Torque
Gasoline Economic system
Towing Capability
Commonplace: e-SkyActiv G 3.3L Inline-6 Turbo
280 hp
332 lb-ft
24/28/25 mpg
5,000 lbs (with Towing Bundle)
Excessive Output: e-SkyActiv G 3.3L Inline-6 Turbo S
340 hp (91-octane premium gasoline)
369 lb-ft
23/28/25 mpg
5,000 lbs (with Towing Bundle)
Plug-In Hybrid: e-SkyActiv G 2.5L 4-Cyinder PHEV
323 hp (91-octane premium gasoline)
369 lb-ft
As much as 56 MPGe | Est. 26 miles electrical vary
3,500 lbs most
On The Highway: A Premium Expertise
Mazda has been looking for a extra upmarket demographic whereas protecting costs cheap, and has nailed it with each the CX-70 and CX-90. The trip is {smooth}, the cabins are roomy and properly put collectively, the highway noise is low, and the consolation is excessive. Each powertrains are super-smooth to drive and ship what looks like the right amount of energy for the car’s demeanor – which is relaxed but sharp.
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The PHEV is not any punchier when acceleration is demanded, however, as anticipated, the engine noise is rather less refined. There is not any feeling of the powertrains shifting between electrical and fuel energy until you are extremely delicate and searching for it.
Just a few journalists on the occasion reported some glitches from the transmission beneath full load and with the air-con on within the six-cylinder vehicles, which is really a Palm Springs downside – nevertheless it’s one Mazda is conscious of, and we anticipate it to be mounted. We did not expertise that ourselves, however we’ve observed Mazda transmissions can get confused driving uphill slowly on mountain roads. Once more, that is very particular and fewer of a quality-of-life subject.
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Round city, it is near a serene German automobile expertise however with extra of a really feel of airiness from the cabin. Mazda does interiors extremely nicely now, and with trip high quality to match – we had no subject with the torn-up desert roads on the outskirts of Palm Springs or on the ten freeway, which is notoriously unhealthy. On the ever-rising and twisting Palms To Pines freeway, the CX-70 is a delight to select up some tempo with, particularly in Sport mode. There’s a change in demeanor, nevertheless it’s not so aggressive as to override the crossover’s character. It is a shocking quantity of enjoyable for a giant crossover that does not have a particular badge with an added price ticket to match.
Conclusion: Mazda In Full Stride
Identical to the CX-90, the CX-70 is a remarkably pleasing car, and we have chosen the phrase ‘pleasing’ intentionally. It is brilliantly executed in the event you’re searching for model with out obnoxiousness, tech and luxury with out extra, and efficiency with out brutality.
2025 Mazda CX-70
Inline-6 Fuel
Base MSRP
$40,445
Engine
3.3L Turbo Inline-6 Fuel
Horsepower
280-340 hp
Torque
332-369 lb-ft
Transmission
8-Velocity Computerized
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Towing Capability
5,000 bs
Gasoline Economic system
24/28/25 mpg
Cargo House
39.6 – 75.3 ft³
2025 Mazda CX-70 PHEV
Plug-In Hyrid
Base MSRP
$54,400
Engine
2.5L Inline-4 Plug-in Hybrid
Horsepower
323 hp
Torque
369 lb-ft
Transmission
8-Velocity Computerized
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Towing Capability
3,500 lbs
Gasoline Economic system
56 MPGe
Cargo House
39.6 – 75.3 ft³
There’s nothing pointless in regards to the CX-70, and we could not discover something to fault. Mazda does want to concentrate to its transmission tuning with the purpose of perfection, however most individuals won’t ever discover its flaws. Each fashions are simple to suggest in the event that they tick the correct way of life bins.