Mazda has been on a roll lately, expanding their SUV lineup with models that consistently impress with their design and driving dynamics. Among the latest additions is the 2025 Mazda CX-70, a stylish and upscale two-row SUV positioned alongside its three-row sibling, the CX-90. Priced around $58,000 for the top-tier 3.3 Turbo S Premium Plus model, the CX-70 enters a competitive segment. While it undeniably boasts visual appeal and Mazda’s signature driving experience, questions arise about its practicality and justification compared to the closely related CX-90. Let’s delve into a comprehensive review to see if the 2025 Mazda CX-70 lives up to the hype and whether it deserves your consideration.
The Road Beat review badge for the 2025 Mazda CX-70, highlighting the source of the vehicle evaluation.
Stunning Design and Premium Interior: A Mazda Hallmark
One cannot deny the sheer beauty of the 2025 Mazda CX-70. Both inside and out, this SUV exudes a level of sophistication rarely seen in its class. It confidently rivals, and in some aspects surpasses, luxury brands like Lexus in terms of design execution and material quality. Stepping inside the CX-70 is a treat for the senses. Mazda has meticulously crafted an interior that feels genuinely premium, with lush dash coverings, supple leather seats, and attention to detail evident throughout the cabin. The tactile experience is impressive, creating an environment that feels several notches above mainstream competitors. You might find yourself questioning if you’re actually in a ‘just a Mazda’ as the level of luxury is genuinely surprising and elevates the CX-70 beyond typical expectations for the brand.
A vibrant Soul Red 2025 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S showcasing its exterior styling and paint color.
The Practicality Question: CX-70 vs. CX-90
Despite its undeniable allure, the 2025 Mazda CX-70 faces a significant hurdle: practicality. It’s a large SUV, mirroring the dimensions of the CX-90, measuring a substantial 201 inches long and 78 inches wide. However, unlike the CX-90, the CX-70 forgoes the third-row seating option. This omission raises a fundamental question: in a vehicle of this size, why eliminate the extra row? The absence of third-row seats feels like a missed opportunity, limiting the CX-70’s versatility, especially considering it shares nearly identical dimensions with the more practical CX-90.
Even if you don’t regularly utilize a third row, those extra seats can be invaluable for occasional carpooling with friends or accommodating extra passengers. Families, in particular, will find the third row in the CX-90 significantly more useful for managing kids and their friends. The crucial point is that the CX-90 offers greater flexibility without any compromise in size or price. The cargo space behind the second row remains the same in both models, at around 40 cubic feet with the CX-90’s third row folded. This further emphasizes the question of why one would choose the CX-70 and limit themselves to a two-row configuration when the three-row CX-90 offers so much more utility at a comparable price point.
Driving Dynamics and Performance: Mazda’s Signature Agility
Where the 2025 Mazda CX-70 truly shines is in its driving dynamics. Continuing Mazda’s tradition of building engaging vehicles, the CX-70 delivers an athletic and responsive driving experience that belies its size. The steering is nicely weighted and provides good feedback, contributing to a sense of connection with the road. Body control is commendable for an SUV of this class, allowing for confident cornering and a surprising level of agility. Mazda engineers have masterfully balanced sporty handling with ride comfort. While the ride is firmer than some rivals, it avoids harshness and remains comfortable for daily driving. This finely tuned suspension allows for confident cornering without sacrificing passenger comfort, a hallmark of Mazda’s engineering philosophy.
The premium plus interior of the 2025 Mazda CX-70 showcasing the luxurious cabin and seating.
Powering the reviewed CX-70 Turbo S is Mazda’s new turbocharged inline-six engine, producing a robust 340 horsepower. This engine is a gem, offering smooth and refined power delivery with a satisfying growl when you push the accelerator. It’s a significant step up from the typical four-cylinder engines found in many competitors, providing a more premium and engaging driving experience. Fuel economy is also respectable for its class, achieving around 23 MPG in combined driving, although a CX-90 with the same engine managed a slightly better 26 MPG in similar testing conditions.
A detailed view of the 2025 Mazda CX-70 interior, highlighting the dashboard and material finishes.
Engine Refinement Concerns at Low Speeds
While the inline-six engine is generally impressive, there’s a notable drawback in low-speed driving situations. The engine and transmission can exhibit delayed responses and a somewhat gruff character during transitions from braking or coasting at low speeds, such as in traffic or parking lots. This lack of low-speed smoothness detracts from the otherwise luxurious feel of the CX-70 and makes the powertrain feel slightly unpolished. While some drivers may not notice this quirk, it’s a point of refinement that could be improved to fully realize the engine’s potential and match the overall premium aspirations of the vehicle.
Another perspective of the 2025 Mazda CX-70 interior, emphasizing the spaciousness and design elements.
Final Verdict: Style Over Substance?
In conclusion, the 2025 Mazda CX-70 is undoubtedly a visually appealing and well-driving SUV. It boasts a luxurious interior, engaging driving dynamics, and a potent inline-six engine. However, its fundamental flaw lies in its limited practicality compared to the nearly identical CX-90. Without the added benefit of third-row seating, the CX-70’s large footprint feels less justified. Given that there’s no significant price difference between the two models, the CX-90 emerges as the more sensible and versatile choice for most buyers in this segment. While the CX-70 offers style and a premium experience, the CX-90 simply offers more overall, making it the more compelling option within Mazda’s SUV lineup. Unless you have a specific aversion to third-row seats, the 2025 Mazda CX-90 represents a more practical and ultimately wiser choice.
2025 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S Premium Plus – Key Specs:
- As-tested price: Approximately $58,000
- Starting price: Approximately $41,000
- Pros: Exceptional interior and exterior design, refined inline-six engine sound, agile handling.
- Cons: Engine hesitation at low speeds, large size without third-row practicality.
The cargo area of the 2025 Mazda CX-70, demonstrating the available storage space in the two-row SUV.
Image Gallery:
Front seats of the Mazda CX-70 interior, showcasing the design and upholstery.
Rear seats of the Mazda CX-70, showing the legroom and seating arrangement for second-row passengers.
The Road Beat logo overlaid on a 2025 Mazda CX-70 interior shot, indicating the review source.
Close-up of the Mazda CX-70 rear seats, emphasizing the seat materials and stitching detail.
Panoramic view of the 2025 Mazda CX-70 Premium Plus interior, showcasing the dashboard layout and overall cabin ambiance.
Detailed shot of the Mazda CX-70 interior, focusing on the premium materials and craftsmanship.
General view of the Mazda CX-70 interior, providing a sense of the cabin’s overall design and layout.
Interior of the Mazda CX-70 Turbo model, highlighting specific trim and features.
A general image associated with a Mazda CX-70 review, likely an exterior shot used for article promotion.
The Mazda CX-70 in Soul Red color, emphasizing the vehicle’s exterior paint option.
Exterior of the Mazda CX-70 Turbo S, showcasing the sporty trim and design elements.
Another view of the 2025 Mazda CX-70 in Soul Red, highlighting the vehicle’s side profile.
Soul Red 2025 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S, emphasizing the front grille and headlight design.
Image associated with a Mazda CX-70 Turbo S review, possibly used as a thumbnail or article header.
