2025 Mazda CX-70 Long-Term Arrival: A Better Five-Seater Turbo?
Mazda’s comfortable and peppy crossover joins our yearlong test fleet.
Mazda has been responding to market demands by expanding its SUV lineup. The Japanese automaker has shifted its focus away from sedans to concentrate on larger, more profitable models, introducing new nameplates as part of this strategy. The 2025 Mazda CX-70 is its new two-row midsize SUV, identical to the new-last-year CX-90 but without that model's third row. This design choice results in a spacious cargo area, and although the CX-70 is on the larger side for two-row midsize SUVs, it has proven to be comfortable and roomy.
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We now have the opportunity to spend the next 12 months driving the 2025 Mazda CX-70, allowing us to thoroughly evaluate the entire ownership experience—from daily driving to servicing and taking road trips. The CX-70 joins our long-term fleet just as the CX-90 PHEV departs, giving us the chance to assess the other of the two models’ shared powertrains in a two-row configuration.
Who Dis?
The Mazda CX-70 made its debut in early 2024, about a year after the CX-90. As Mazda’s latest SUV, it caters to those who need ample space but don't require three rows. Its competitors include the revamped Nissan Murano, Toyota Crown Signia, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Kia Sorento, Honda Passport, and Subaru Outback. While some models in this segment are more off-road oriented, the CX-70 emphasizes a smooth and comfortable ride, complemented by premium touches.
Mazda has aimed to position its vehicles closer to luxury automakers rather than mainstream brands, and this is something we'll delve into during our year with the CX-70. That’s a tough transition to make. Do we feel as special in a CX-70 as we do in an Acura MDX? Is the CX-70 a better SUV than the Jeep Grand Cherokee? And because Mazda designed the CX-70 and CX-90 to be nearly identical, we'll also explore whether the CX-70 is worth choosing over the CX-90.
Our SUV
Given the lukewarm experience we had to our CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus, we opted to mix things up with our new CX-70, instead ordering a lower-grade 2025 CX-70 Turbo S Premium, equipped with Mazda’s new inline-six engine. Nevertheless, our CX-70 is packed with comfort features, including heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a 12.3-inch color display for the infotainment system, another 12.3-inch screen for the instrument cluster, and a 12-speaker premium audio system from Bose.
Our Zircon Sand Metallic CX-70 certainly stands out in a parking lot, though opinions on its color are divided—some of our staff love it, while others feel the light brown color doesn't quite suit an SUV of this size. Inside, the all-black interior exudes a premium feel, with a dashboard covered in Nappa leather and well-cushioned touchpoints that enhance comfort.
Our 2025 Mazda CX-70’s 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six produces 340 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque when using premium gas. If filled with regular gas, output drops to 319 hp. To adhere to Mazda's recommendations, we'll be using premium gas throughout our yearlong evaluation. Additionally, the engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic and a small electric motor that functions as a starter generator, making it a mild hybrid powertrain. For comparsion, the CX-70's (and CX-90's) optional plug-in hybrid powertrain is made up of a 2.5-liter I-4 and an electric motor to make a combined output of 323 hp and 369 lb-ft. Fuel economy for the turbo is 23/28/25 mpg in city/highway/combined driving, while the plug-in hybrid delivers 53/61/56 mpg-e and can travel 25 miles on electricity alone.
Our CX-70 also features 21-inch wheels, heated and power-folding side-view mirrors, and piano black trim on the roof rails, rear spoiler, front grille, and mirrors. The full LED adaptive headlights are a great addition, especially with their auto high-beam function, which is very useful for driving on dimly lit streets at night.
In terms of safety, our model is fully equipped. Alongside Mazda's i-Activsense features, our trim includes radar cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, front and rear parking sensors, driver monitoring with driver attention alert, and a 360-degree view. We might not do as much towing as our colleagues in Detroit did with our CX-90 PHEV, but it's worth noting our model comes with a tow package capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds.
What To Expect
Although it’s new to our fleet, we’ve already been piling the miles on our 2025 Mazda CX-70. During Thanksgiving week, we drove it from California to Texas and back, and it’s also handled a trip to the Northern California coast. So far, it has proven to be a comfortable SUV, offering plenty of space and features that make long drives more enjoyable.
We’re looking forward to driving the CX-70 over the next 12 months, and most important, telling you all about it. Stayed tuned.
Miguel Cortina is Mexico Editor at MotorTrend, covering the auto industry in the U.S. and south of the border. He joined MotorTrend in January 2015 and is an avid automotive enthusiast who enjoys playing golf, surfing, and running in his free time.
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