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Auto Blog
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Mazda RX-7 Successor And Next Miata Spell Trouble For Toyota's GR Division
Mazda's two new sports cars will compete in different segments Mazda has a rich history of producing compact, fun-to-drive sports cars. Rarely have they been overpowered; instead, the Japanese marque has a knack for crafting sporty cars that emphasize balance and feel. At the moment, the only modern sports car upholding this legacy is the MX-5 Miata ND, but not for much longer. The latest reports suggest that an RX-7 successor and an all-new Miata will add new, exciting chapters to Mazda's sports car legacy, but one is set to arrive some time before the other. Mazda RX-7 Successor In Spirit, If Not In Name Source: Mazda The beautiful Iconic SP concept shown by Mazda in 2023 will be the basis for what has been dubbed an RX-7 successor, and according to Motor Trend, this rotary-engine sports car is nearly complete. This confirms an earlier report from April that Mazda has made tremendous progress in making the rotary powertrain suitable for production in an era where emissions regulations are much stricter. 'You can expect Iconic SP will be a good successor for RX-7,' said Ryuichi Umeshita, Mazda's Chief Technical Officer. The production sports car is expected to feature an electric motor supported by a dual-rotor rotary engine; the latter will act as a generator, so the sports car won't have issues with range. It should produce around 365 horsepower, but more importantly, Mazda has ensured it can meet emissions regulations. With that sort of power, we can expect a fiery battle with the next Toyota GR Supra. Mazda Iconic SP — Source: Mazda A potential second powertrain option will be of even greater interest to enthusiasts. This one will use the rotary engine as the primary power source, where it will actually power the wheels, not merely act as a generator. Umeshita would not confirm the name of the new sports car, but didn't deny the RX-7 or RX-9 names could be used. When speaking about other sports car names from Mazda's past, he said: 'There is very little possibility that we will name it Cosmo.' The sporty Cosmo was primarily sold in other markets between 1967 and 1996, with the most recent one being the flagship Mazda in Japan. It's likely the brand wants to reserve the Cosmo's legacy and not simply slap the name onto something much newer and sportier. All-New MX-5 Still A Few Years Away 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata – ND — Source: Mazda Whereas the production version of the Iconic SP could arrive around 2027, the next MX-5 is further away. It will still be a small, nimble roadster with a manual gearbox and a gas engine, likely based on the new Skyactiv-Z engine Mazda is working on, said to be ready in 2027. Importantly, the Iconic SP and Miata will be separate cars, with Umeshita clarifying that the former won't cannibalize MX-5 sales. The production Iconic SP will be a larger, more expensive model than the Miata, especially because of its electrified powertrain and use of the more complex rotary engine. Now all we need is for the MazdaSpeed 3 to make a comeback, too, which would mean the brand would have a full lineup of performance cars to take on Toyota's GR division. About the Author Karl Furlong View Profile
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
