Put the luxury automakers on notice, Mazda has entered the upscale market with a legitimate contender, and they're ready to compete. The new CX-70 is taking aim right at the heart of the premium SUV segment with a two-row midsize luxury model.
This slice of the SUV market caters to people with small families and empty-nesters who want a larger SUV with plenty of interior space and comfort, but they don't need a third row of seats. That allows the first and second rows to spread out a bit, and still offers plenty of cargo capacity. And, as a larger SUV, it also means that towing capacity is part of the deal, so if you want to pull a boat, an ATV trailer, or a small camper, you can do that without a full-size pickup.
The CX-70 is first and foremost a luxury vehicle. From the outside, it looks premium with large alloy wheels and Mazda's legendary paint options like Soul Red Crystal. Then when you climb inside, the CX-70 keeps its promise and delivers a soft-touch, super-quiet, high-tech interior with plenty of space and light. There's a panoramic glass roof, buttery leather upholstery that's heated and ventilated, and most trims feature a world-class Bose 12-speaker audio system playing through a 12.3-inch touchscreen display.
Under the hood, Mazda has worked some magic. You have three choices of engine. You can get a 3.3-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine with 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. You can also choose the upgraded Turbo S version of the same engine, boasting 340 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Both of these come with a mild-hybrid assist electric motor to give you a little more power when you need it.
The third option is a plug-in hybrid, with 323 horsepower and 369 pound-feet, and about 25 miles of all-electric range, which covers most commutes in the Portland area. When electric and gas efficiency is combined, this luxury SUV will return about 56 MPG in overall fuel economy, with no discernable deficit in performance.
All CX-70 models use a real eight-speed automatic transmission, and all come with Mazda's iACTIV all-wheel drive system. This deserves some explanation because it's one of the most sophisticated AWD systems on the market. You'll never know it's working for you because it's too fast and smooth for that. What you will notice is that iACTIV has a near magical ability to keep the SUV going where you want it to go in winter weather.
Cargo capacity is another selling point. You get a roomy 39.6 cubic feet behind the second row seats, which is plenty for four adults heading to the airport for a week's vacation. Flip the rear seats down and you get 75.3 cubic feet, which is enough to go pick up a major appliance. Distance from the back of the front seats is up to 97.5 inches - more than 8 feet.
On the road, the CX-70 is a slice of serenity. It's quiet inside, keeping road noise and the world at a distance. You can enjoy the audio system, have a conversation, or just relax with your thoughts. When it comes to handling, the CX-70 is smooth, poised, and responsive. It's no Mazda Miata, but I think it will outhandle any of its competitors. Getting on the freeway, the CX-70 in any configuration offers good power for a midsize SUV, and you can two 5,000 pounds with the Turbo S engine, or 3,500 pounds with either of the other options.
Now, to the bottom line. If you spend a weekend comparing most of the premium SUVs on the market, the CX-70 is going to look better and better. With a starting price of $40,445, only the Jeep Grand Cherokee can be had for less. The Infiniti QX60, BMW X5, Lexus TX, Mercedes-Benz GLE, and even the Buick Enclave all start between $3,000 and $25,000 higher than the CX-70. (By the way, it's the German SUVs that blow up the price range.)
The challenge that Mazda faces is familiar. They've got the product that can compete and win on its merits and price in the luxury segment. The challenge is getting customers into the showrooms and seriously considering what Mazda has to offer. Smart buyers should put the Mazda CX-70, or the CX-90 if you need three rows, at the top of their test drive list.
2025 Mazda CX-70
Base price: $40,445
Price as tested: $55,950
Type: Midsize SUV
Engines: 3.3-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder (340 hp, 369 lbs-ft)
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
EPA estimated mileage: 23/28
Overall length: 201 inches
Curb weight: 4,863 pounds
Final assembly: Hofu, Japan
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