Mazda, the innovative carmaker from the land of the rising sun, renowned for its sporty roadsters and the late great rotary engine, adds another not so sporty model to its SUV-filled lineup. All in an effort to meet the consumer demands of the present I suppose. Where fewer and fewer want a small rotary powered two-seater that runs rich and won’t start in the cold. Slotted between the small CX-50 and large, three seater CX-90, 2025 brings us the Mazda CX-70. Think of it like a CX-90 without the third-row seating. They look similar, share identical hybrid powertrains and generally offer the same features.
In truth, the CX-70 makes all the sense in the world for Mazda. While the CX-50 was too tight for many, and not luxurious enough; the CX-70 offers space in abundance for anyone who doesn’t need that pesky third row. It’s more elegant in design, with a sophisticated interior and gobs of on-board tech and driving aides. It’s even retained plenty of Mazdas core philosophy, where ever model, big or small, should be fun to drive.
Inside, the CX-70 could easily pass for an entry-level luxury SUV. It makes smart use of high-end materials, achieving a clean, organized aesthetic. Without that tight third row, rear seat occupants have ample leg and headroom. It also means more cargo space. The infotainment system is starting to look and feel a little dated though, and it was a surprise to see Mazda launch a brand new model without this important tech being seriously refreshed in tandem. The rotary knob is almost exclusively used to navigate the many menus outside of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. This can be cumbersome, and will have you wishing the touchscreen was more accessible to native interface users.
For those in search of every piece of optional equipment, the Premium Plus is the package for you. It comes with a powerful plug-in hybrid system that churns out nearly 370 lb-ft of torque. With so much power, acceleration is perfectly brisk and steady. Handling is also surprisingly tight and agile, albeit to the slight detriment of day to day comfort. Where the CX-70 can, at times, ride a little rough. The Premium Plus package will also score you Nappa leather – trimmed seats that are heated and ventilated. The second row gets heated as well. Windshield wiper de-icers, 360 degree view monitor, heated steering wheel, front cross-traffic alert/brake and more.
In terms of rivals, it’s a little hard to pin down who they are exactly, as the CX-70 sorta falls in the middle of things. While it offers more refinement and performance than the Honda Passport, Jeep Grand Cherokee or Volkswagen Atlas, it’s also quite a bit more expensive. In fact, the CX-70 PHEV Premium Plus model is approaching full on luxury SUV territory in terms of pricing. So, if your budget doesn’t quite permit a Lexus GX or BMW X5, but you want something a little more upscale and better performing than a Subaru Outback, than the new 2025 Mazda CX-70 is positioned right in that sweet spot and might be just right for you.
Price as tested: $59,420
