3 days ago
Is Our Yearlong 2025 Mazda CX-70 Actually Luxurious?
Mazda set its sights on evolving into a 'traditional mainstream premium' brand about a decade ago, aiming to carve out space as an alternative to non-German luxury makes like Lexus and Acura. Fast-forward to today, and we've seen that ambition come to life with the introduction of the CX-70 and the brand's new flagship, the CX-90. These SUVs clearly raise the bar for Mazda, delivering cabins that feel a step above the rest of the lineup, with sleek designs, thoughtful tech, and a more upscale experience overall. But the big question remains: Do they truly measure up to Japan's established luxury contenders?
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After more than six months behind the wheel of our yearlong review 2025 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S Premium (plus 14 months in our previous CX-90 PHEV), we appreciate the brand's push upmarket—but it doesn't quite feel like we're driving a true luxury SUV. Sure, the premium interior and sleek styling have turned heads; friends and family have even asked, 'Wait, this is a Mazda?' But luxury is more than skin deep. It's not just about large screens and upscale materials, it's the way a vehicle drives, the refinement in its ride, and the overall sense of effortlessness that separates premium from mainstream. And in those areas, the CX-70 still has room to grow.
Where the CX-70 Feels Premium
Our long-term CX-70 is a near-loaded trim, powered by the robust 340-hp inline-six turbo engine. But it's inside the cabin where this SUV truly stands out. The dashboard is wrapped in leather, giving the interior a refined touch, while twin 12.3-inch displays—one for the infotainment system and the other for the digital gauge cluster—add a modern, high-tech feel. Our CX-70's Bose premium audio system is, well, premium, too. Altogether, these elements work in harmony to elevate the cabin experience and give the CX-70 a genuine sense of occasion.
Mazda also fits the CX-70 with a panoramic moonroof, three-zone climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, plush Nappa leather upholstery, and second-row sunshades—all thoughtful touches that add comfort for everyone on board.
A few years ago, it would've been hard to imagine seeing features like these in a Mazda, but the brand's upmarket push is unmistakable. And we're glad to see it, especially when you factor in pricing. Our loaded CX-70 Turbo S Premium AWD rings in at $56,120, a few thousand bucks more than the starting prices of the 2026 Acura MDX and 2025 Lexus RX. Yet, the Mazda offers more horsepower and standard all-wheel drive, making it a strong value play in this segment.
Where the CX-70 Lags
As much as we appreciate the breadth of features our CX-70 offers at its competitive price, true luxury goes beyond the spec sheet. The driving experience matters—and matters a lot in this segment. The CX-70's 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six has delivered some solid moments. It feels punchy, with minimal turbo lag, and the power is well matched to a vehicle of this size. With 340 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, merging onto the highway is effortless. But it's not all smooth sailing. We've encountered noticeable hiccups from our Mazda's eight-speed automatic transmission and an unpolished stop/start system that detracts from the premium experience.
As MotorTrend Buyer's Guide director Zach Gale put it, 'Driving smoothly at low speeds shouldn't be so difficult.' We couldn't agree more. At speeds under 30 mph, the CX-70's transmission feels confused, hunting for the right gear and creating a noticeably unrefined experience. When it finally decides to shift, the changes can be abrupt and jarring—enough to cause head toss in the cabin and break the sense of composure. 'I see this as a real issue that could discourage a CX-70 owner from getting another one when a lease is up,' Gale added. And honestly, we've found ourselves wondering how this transmission setup cleared Mazda's own testing.
We've also experienced significant vibrations in the cabin when the start/stop system shuts off or restarts the engine. While the system is designed to let the CX-70 coast with the engine off under the right conditions, its behavior is inconsistent—like disengaging on the freeway while maintaining a steady speed. When that happens, the CX-70 begins to lose momentum, prompting us to press the throttle harder. That, in turn, triggers a jarring chain reaction: The engine restarts, the transmission downshifts abruptly, and only then does the vehicle regain speed.
These are two key areas where the CX-70 needs improvement if Mazda wants to truly compete with non-German premium brands. Winning over Acura and Lexus customers will require more than just attractive styling and strong value—it demands a smoother, more polished powertrain than Mazda currently offers. And let's be clear: Mazda isn't a newcomer trying to find its footing. This is an automaker with a rich history of building engaging performance-oriented vehicles. The CX-70 doesn't live up to that legacy yet—but we believe it can. And if it does, it'll be far better positioned to stand with established luxury rivals.
Last year, we spent time with a long-term 2024 Mazda CX-90 equipped with the plug-in hybrid powertrain—and we ran into multiple issues with its eight-speed transmission. It frequently shuddered, hesitated, and made abrupt shifts that disrupted the driving experience. On top of that, we found the steering overly heavy and the lane keeping assist system somewhat intrusive.
Bottom Line
Mazda is on the right track with its positioning of the CX-70 as a premium SUV, but the company still needs to sharpen the ride and powertrain experience. Sure, the cabin's clean design and the array of features make a strong first impression, but true luxury means more than just ticking boxes on an options list. The transmission quirks and stop/start system issues we've encountered hold the CX-70 back from delivering a fully refined experience. Ultimately, we'd enjoy the ride more in a Lexus or Acura—even if that meant paying a bit extra.
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