Mazda has been on an SUV offensive lately, and the 2025 CX-70 is the latest model to join their lineup. Following in the footsteps of the larger CX-90, the CX-70 shares many of its sibling’s strengths: striking aesthetics, a luxurious interior, and engaging driving dynamics. Our test vehicle, the top-tier 3.3 Turbo S Premium Plus, commands a price tag of around $58,000. While this is a significant investment for a Mazda, the CX-70 undeniably presents itself as a premium SUV, visually justifying its cost. However, a critical examination reveals a perplexing issue: the CX-70’s lack of a third row of seating, which ultimately undermines its purpose and practicality, especially when positioned alongside the mechanically identical and more versatile CX-90.
A stylish overview of the 2025 Mazda CX-70, highlighting its sleek design and road presence in this review.
One can’t deny the visual appeal of the Mazda CX-70. It’s a genuinely beautiful vehicle, both inside and out. The level of luxury it achieves rivals that of established luxury brands, particularly amongst its Japanese contemporaries, save for Lexus, which occupies a higher price bracket. Yet, despite its undeniable allure, the CX-70 struggles to justify its existence. The fundamental flaw lies in its configuration as a large, full-size SUV without a third row. Measuring a substantial 201 inches in length and 78 inches in width, the CX-70 occupies a considerable footprint. In this vehicle class, the absence of a third row is a significant drawback. Even for those without children, the occasional need for extra passenger space arises more frequently than anticipated. Carpooling with friends, accommodating extended family, or simply having the flexibility for impromptu passenger needs – the third row offers invaluable versatility that the CX-70 forfeits.
A vibrant red Mazda CX-70 Turbo S showcased in a detailed exterior shot, emphasizing its sporty and attractive design.
When considering the choice between the CX-90, which offers three rows, and the CX-70, limited to two, the rationale for choosing the latter becomes increasingly unclear. Especially considering there isn’t a discernible price advantage for the less practical CX-70. Visually, the two models are remarkably similar, further blurring the lines of distinction. Adding to the confusion, the cargo capacity remains identical between the two when the CX-90’s third-row seats are folded down. Both SUVs offer a generous 40 cubic feet of storage space, negating any potential benefit of choosing the two-row variant for increased cargo room.
Setting aside the perplexing practicality question, the Mazda CX-70 mirrors the CX-90 in its positive attributes. The interior, particularly in the Premium Plus trim, exudes a rich and meticulously crafted ambiance. The attention to detail is evident throughout the cabin, from the plush dashboard coverings to the supple leather seats. While the door closing sound might betray a hint of its non-luxury brand origins with a slightly hollow knock, the overall impression is one of exceptional quality, a hallmark of modern Mazda vehicles. The level of luxury offered by Mazda in this segment is genuinely surprising and elevates the CX-70 above many mainstream competitors. Experiencing the interior firsthand will likely make you reconsider settling for less luxurious alternatives.
The premium interior of the 2025 Mazda CX-70 Premium Plus, focusing on the luxurious materials and sophisticated design.
Mazda’s reputation for dynamic handling continues with the CX-70. Similar to the CX-90, it delivers an athletic driving experience that is immediately apparent from the moment you engage with the nicely weighted steering. The CX-70 exhibits impressive body control and balance, defying typical SUV handling characteristics. It’s genuinely enjoyable to drive, offering a level of agility and responsiveness rarely found in this vehicle class. Furthermore, Mazda engineers have successfully balanced sporty handling with ride comfort. While the ride is firmer than some rivals to achieve its cornering prowess, it remains comfortable and well-composed, making it suitable for daily driving. Our test vehicle exhibited a slight on-center play in the steering, a minor dead zone that introduced a touch of nervousness. However, this could be attributed to an alignment issue specific to our test vehicle.
A detailed view of the Mazda CX-70’s interior, highlighting the dashboard and infotainment system, emphasizing the driver-centric design.
A significant highlight of the CX-70 and CX-90 is the introduction of Mazda’s new turbocharged inline-six engine. In the Turbo S configuration, this engine produces a robust 340 horsepower. It’s a refined and responsive powerplant, delivering smooth and potent acceleration. The engine revs with pleasing precision and emits a satisfying growl when pushed, a welcome departure from the often-uninspiring four-cylinder engines prevalent in the segment. Fuel economy is also commendable for its class. We observed 23 MPG overall during our week-long test, while a CX-90 with the same engine previously returned an even more impressive 26 MPG under similar conditions.
Close-up shot of the Mazda CX-70’s interior, focusing on the intricate details of the materials and craftsmanship.
However, a notable drawback, potentially a deal-breaker for some, is the engine’s low-speed behavior. The powertrain exhibits delayed responses and a certain gruffness at lower speeds, which detracts from the inherent smoothness expected from an inline-six and the luxurious character of the vehicle. This issue is most apparent during transitions from braking or coasting at walking pace, such as in traffic or parking maneuvers. While we’ve observed this trait to a lesser extent in the CX-90, it seems more pronounced in the CX-70. This low-speed refinement issue gives the impression of an unfinished powertrain, a disappointing flaw considering the overall excellence of the vehicle. While some drivers may not find it bothersome, it’s an area that needs refinement to fully realize the potential of the inline-six engine.
In conclusion, this Mazda Cx-70 Review ultimately circles back to the question of the CX-90. Given that the CX-90 offers the added practicality of a third row without any significant compromises, it remains the more sensible choice for most buyers in this segment. The rationale behind the CX-70’s existence is unclear, as it doesn’t offer any significant size advantage while sacrificing practicality. While other manufacturers offer coupe-like versions of their SUVs for style-conscious buyers, those models often feature distinct styling differences, unlike the near-identical silhouettes of the CX-70 and CX-90.
Mazda also offers both the CX-70 and CX-90 with a plug-in hybrid four-cylinder powertrain. However, based on our experiences, this option is best avoided due to its unrefined nature and limited real-world fuel economy benefits compared to the inline-six. The CX-70 and CX-90 represent an exciting step forward for Mazda, showcasing the brand’s commitment to premium design and engaging driving dynamics. However, when making a purchase decision, overlooking the CX-70 and prioritizing the CX-90 is strongly advised. The occasional need for that third row will ultimately prove invaluable, making the CX-90 the more versatile and practical choice.
2025 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S Premium Plus
As-tested price: Approximately $58,000
Starting price: Approximately $41,000
Pros:
- A-list interior and exterior design
- Engaging inline-six engine sound
- Deft and enjoyable handling
Cons:
- Engine exhibits low-speed stutters
- Large size without a third-row seat
Full Image Gallery:
The spacious cargo area of the 2025 Mazda CX-70, demonstrating its storage capacity in this image.
Front seats of the Mazda CX-70 interior, showcasing the design and comfort features for driver and passenger.
Rear seats of the Mazda CX-70, highlighting the legroom and seating arrangement in the second row.
Interior of the 2025 Mazda CX-70, as featured in The Road Beat review, emphasizing the overall cabin ambiance.
Another view of the Mazda CX-70 rear seats, focusing on the seat materials and design details.
The luxurious interior of the 2025 Mazda CX-70 Premium Plus, showcasing the premium features and cabin layout.
Close-up detail of the Mazda CX-70’s interior, highlighting the textures and material choices in the cabin.
A general view of the Mazda CX-70 interior, providing a sense of the overall design and spaciousness.
Interior of the Mazda CX-70 Turbo model, focusing on the sporty elements and cabin features.
The Mazda CX-70 under review, offering a glimpse into the vehicle’s overall design and appeal.
A Soul Red Mazda CX-70, showcasing the vibrant color option and exterior styling.
Exterior of the Mazda CX-70 Turbo S, highlighting the sporty design elements and road presence.
The 2025 Mazda CX-70 in Soul Red, providing another look at the exterior color and design.
A Soul Red 2025 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S, showcasing the vehicle in motion and its dynamic styling.
The Mazda CX-70 Turbo S under review, summarizing the model and its key features in an image.
