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Auto Blog
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Mazda CX-70 vs. CX-90 Dilemma: Making Sense of Mazda's New Strategy
Two models, same idea The Mazda CX-70 is essentially a five-passenger version of the three-row CX-90. All of the powertrains and a majority of the CX-90's design go right into the Mazda CX-70. The automaker does offer some variations in styling, features, and trim levels, but writers across the internet have been confused as to why Mazda is marketing a larger version of the same SUV as an entirely different model. 0:05 / 0:09 Nissan's revolutionary self-driving tech hits Japan's streets Watch More To understand the genesis of the CX-70 and why it was spun off of the CX-90, I wanted to look at an example from an automaker that I consider successful in this endeavor: the Honda and its five-passenger Passport, which is based on the same platform and many of the same mechanical bits as the three-row Honda Pilot. Despite sharing several components, they maintain different personalities, with unique identities both inside and out. I've just finished my time driving the CX-70 PHEV, and I must say that it has me scratching my head. Just like the CX-70 Turbo S I played with earlier, it's essentially the same as its slightly larger brother, with reduced passenger capacity and details that raise questions. With this in mind, I wanted to place the CX-70 and CX-90 side-by-side to see what I'm missing. The Mazda CX-90 The Mazda CX-90 was recently introduced, replacing the well-liked CX-9. This is a completely different vehicle with mechanicals that mirror those of BMW, in terms of its turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine and rear-drive-biased architecture. All CX-90s come with all-wheel drive (AWD), and Mazda created a world-class people mover that's extremely well balanced, fun to drive, and luxurious. There are some glitches, which I'll cover in a moment, but for the most part, the Mazda CX-90 is a fantastic effort. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. There are several trims available, including the Select Turbo ($38,045), Preferred Turbo ($41,145), Premium Sport Turbo ($46,600), Turbo Premium Plus ($49,600), Turbo S Premium ($53,150), and Turbo S Premium Plus ($56,650). Then there's the PHEV models, the PHEV Preferred ($49,945), PHEV Premium Sport ($54,900), and the PHEV Premium Plus ($57,950). Yes, that's pricy for a Mazda, but the vehicle you're getting for the money truly competes head-to-head with much more expensive offerings from Europe and Asia. The CX-90 offers three powertrain choices, including two powerful six-cylinder options. The base 3.3-liter Inline-6 Turbo with a 48-volt hybrid system delivers 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, while the Turbo S boosts output to 340 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. For efficiency, a PHEV combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and a 17.8-kWh battery for 323 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, plus 26 miles of all-electric range. All engines are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Yes, the PHEV is more powerful and efficient, yet it's the one powertrain I would not recommend. It is jerky, less refined, heavier, and the premium you're paying for the PHEV doesn't justify the performance in my book. Additionally, the fuel mileage benefits don't jive for me, as the base model Turbos get 24 mpg city and 28 mpg highway, and the Turbo S gets 23 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. The PHEV is rated at 56 MPGe, but without the electric motor, it's rated at 25 mpg. That translates to a maximum range of 490 miles per tank. The Turbo and Turbo S are about 30 miles less in range. The Mazda CX-70 Mazda CX-70 — Source: Dave McQuilling/AutoBlog Remember how I mentioned the Honda Passport is unique compared to its platform mate, the Honda Pilot? Well, the CX-70 is remarkably similar to the CX-90. So much so that only the profile and interior design give you clues that it's different. It's still a great driving vehicle, especially the Turbo S, but it feels contrived when you match it against the CX-90. Right off the bat, the CX-70 comes with fewer trim options: the Turbo Preferred ($40,445), Turbo Premium ($45,900), Turbo Premium Plus ($48,900), Turbo S Premium ($52.450), and the Turbo S Premium Plus ($55,950). Then there are the PHEV models: the PHEV Premium ($54,400) and the PHEV Premium Plus ($57,450). There is no Select Turbo option, which is the entry level for the CX-90, meaning that the CX-70's base model is more expensive than the CX-90's base model. The powertrain is the same as the Mazda CX-90, as is the 75 cubic feet of cargo space. The difference here is that, with no third-row storage section, the CX-70 features a unique cubby storage section located aft of the second row. Otherwise, the interior layout, design, and feel are pretty much the same as the Mazda CX-90. Oh, and Mazda kept the third-row cupholders in the two-row CX-70. In terms of having its own personality like the aforementioned Honda Passport, it's not there. Mazda simply added some black trim and made the rear bumper look different. From almost every angle, they look remarkably similar. Other than badges, you'll be hard-pressed to tell them apart. Driving the Mazda CX-70 vs the CX-90 The base Mazda CX-70 has a curb weight of 4,863 pounds, while the CX-70 PHEV has a curb weight of 5,198 pounds. On the other hand, the base Mazda CX-90 3.3 Turbo has a curb weight of 4,735 pounds, while the 3.3 Turbo S model weighs 4,901 pounds. The PHEV has a curb weight of 5,267 pounds. That's not much of a difference, and their wheelbase are even the same, which means their overall performance numbers are very close. This all boils down to how they behave on the road. All models benefit from a performance-friendly AWD system and good balance. The weight of the PHEV is noticeable when you're pushing hard around a corner, but it's still better than most. The Turbo S is downright athletic. Noise and harshness, which were old issues for Mazda, are well isolated, and passenger comfort is top-notch. This goes for both vehicles, as I struggle to feel a difference between the two. My choice? If I had to pick one, I would opt for the Mazda CX-90 Turbo or Turbo S. It's a great all-around family hauler that's engaging to drive and extremely well-engineered. It holds its own against much more expensive vehicles, while providing a decent amount of economy to boot. Mazda still has to refine its PHEVs, at least to make them more enjoyable to drive. Even the base Select Turbo CX-90 has a nice-looking interior, with a standard 10.3-inch infotainment screen on the base CX-90s and a 12.3-inch one on the higher trims and all CX-70s. They all share the same UX, complemented by plenty of buttons and dials, and the odd design choice of having only the bigger screen be touch-capable. The system looks good, but it's slow, especially when using XM Satellite. Final thoughts I'm not here to bash Mazda about the CX-70. It's a good vehicle, but it makes little sense to me. Even if you don't need the third row of the CX-90, you can simply keep it folded flat. One day, you might need to haul more than five people. That's the only thing that makes these two vehicles different, and the logic boggles my mind. Maybe I'm missing something here, but I have to say that the Mazda CX-90 Turbo and Turbo S are outstanding. The CX-70, on the other hand, is a little confusing.
Car and Driver
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
2026 Mazda CX-70 Hybrid Review, Pricing, and Specs
Overview As far as mid-size SUVs go, the 2026 Mazda CX-70 Hybrid is an athlete with a taste for luxury. A 323-hp plug-in-hybrid setup provides plenty of punch and can motor the CX-70 around for up to 26 miles on electricity alone. Its primary drawback is the existence of the nearly identical CX-90 Hybrid, which offers the same powertrain and driving experience with the convenience of a flip-up third row of seats. The CX-70 Hybrid's upscale interior features room for five across two rows of seats and a generously sized cargo bay. Tech features abound, but some users may find the infotainment controls to be a little finicky. A nonhybrid CX-70 model is also available, but we review that model separately. What's New for 2026? Seeing as how the CX-70 Hybrid was introduced just last year, we aren't expecting to find any major updates to the two-row SUV for 2026. Pricing and Which One to Buy The price of the 2026 Mazda CX-70 Hybrid is expected to start around $56,000 and go up to $59,000 depending on the trim and options. Premium $56,000 (est) Premium Plus $59,000 (est) 0 $10k $20k $30k $40k $50k $60k $70k $80k $90k The CX-70 Hybrid is offered in two trims, Premium and Premium Plus, and we'd stick with the entry-level Premium. It comes well-equipped with desirable features such as leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats with heat, a digital gauge display, 21-inch wheels, a 12-speaker Bose stereo, and a head-up display. Engine, Transmission, and Performance The CX-70 Hybrid gets the same plug-in powertrain as the three-row CX-90. That means a 323-hp combined output from a combination of an inline four-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor. An eight-speed automatic transmission handles shifting duties and all-wheel drive is standard. In our experience, this powertrain provides plenty of pep for city and highway driving and the electric motor and battery pack provide decent real-world electric-only driving range. During our test drive, we found the CX-70's driving experience to be similar to the CX-90's. It provides agile handling for a mid-size SUV, and our main quibble with the plug-in-hybrid powertrain is the occasionally loud droning of the gasoline engine. 0–60-MPH Times Since it's nearly identical to the CX-90, the CX-70 is just as quick as its sibling. At our test track, the hybrid CX-70 needed just 5.9 seconds to hit 60 mph. View Photos Michael Simari | Car and Driver Towing and Payload Capacity The CX-70 Hybrid is rated to tow up to 3500 pounds. Mazda offers an Essential Tow package as an option on all trims that includes a trailer hitch and wiring harness. Range, Charging, and Battery Life A 17.8-kWh battery pack can be charged from 20 to 80 percent in about 90 minutes on a 240-volt connection and the CX-70 Hybrid is rated to provide 26 miles of electric driving on a full charge. Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG The EPA hasn't released any fuel economy information for the 2026 CX-70 Hybrid yet, but the 2025 model earned ratings of 24 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. For more information about the CX-70 Hybrid's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website. Interior, Comfort, and Cargo If the CX-90 Hybrid's first two rows are spacious enough for you, then you'll find the CX-70 Hybrid's cabin an accommodating place to be—the two SUVs are nearly identical inside. The main thing that's missing in the CX-70 is the third row of seats, as Mazda has replaced them with a large cargo area with hidden storage under the flat floor. The interior design is upscale and stylish with a touch of sportiness, especially when equipped with the optional red leather upholstery. View Photos Michael Simari | Car and Driver Infotainment and Connectivity A 12.3-inch infotainment display is nestled into the dashboard and controlled through a click wheel on the CX-70 Hybrid's center console. Mazda's latest infotainment interface is easy to navigate and relatively intuitive. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard, as is a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12-speaker Bose premium stereo. Safety and Driver-Assistance Features All CX-70s come with a suite of driver-assistance features called i-Activsense, which includes automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. For more information about the CX-90's crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include: Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection Standard blind-spot monitoring Standard adaptive cruise control Warranty and Maintenance Coverage Mazda offers an adequate protection plan for buyers of new CX-70s. What it doesn't offer is something that both the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid do: complimentary scheduled maintenance. Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles Hybrid components are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles No complimentary scheduled maintenance Specifications Specifications 2025 Mazda CX-70 PHEV Premium Plus Vehicle Type: front-engine, front-motor, all-wheel drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon PRICE Base/As Tested: $58,905/$59,355 Options: Melting Copper Metallic paint, $450 Powertrain DOHC 16-valve 2.5-liter inline-4, 189 hp, 192 lb-ft + AC motor, 173 hp, 199 lb-ft (combined output: 323 hp, 369 lb-ft; 14.8-kWh [C/D est] lithium-ion battery pack; 7.2-kW onboard charger Transmission: 8-speed automatic CHASSIS Suspension, F/R: control arms/multilink Brakes, F/R: 13.7-in vented disc/13.8-in vented disc Tires: Falken Ziex CT60A A/S 275/45R-21 107W M+S DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 122.8 in Length: 200.8 in Width: 78.5 in Height: 68.2 in Passenger Volume, F/R: 57/51 ft3 Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 75/40 ft3 Curb Weight: 5184 lb C/D TEST RESULTS 60 mph: 5.9 sec 1/4-Mile: 14.4 sec @ 97 mph 100 mph: 15.2 sec Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec. Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.2 sec Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.7 sec Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.9 sec Top Speed (gov ltd): 118 mph Braking, 70–0 mph: 171 ft Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.82 g C/D FUEL ECONOMY Observed: 27 MPGe EPA FUEL ECONOMY Combined/City/Highway: 25/24/27 mpg Combined Gasoline + Electricity: 56 MPGe EV Range: 26 mi C/D TESTING EXPLAINED More Features and Specs
