The 2025 Mazda CX-70 expands the Japanese automaker’s SUV line by tweaking something that already works – presumably to attract a different buyer. For all practical purposes, the CX-70 is the same vehicle as the CX-90, with two rows of seats instead of three. I tested the CX-70 3.3 Turbo S Premium Plus, the top-of-the-line model with the most powerful drivetrain available, a luxurious interior, and a bountiful array of features.
Mazda’s exterior design has been well-executed since they first introduced their trademark KODO design language. The distinctive Mazda grille looks great in gloss black, and complements the body-colored bumpers and body trim that comes with the Premium and Premium Plus grades. It’s a nice contrast in the case of the Rhodium White paint on our test CX-70.
The CX-70 is available in three grades: Preferred, Premium, and Premium Plus. There are three drivetrains to choose from: the 3.3 Turbo, 3.3 Turbo S, and PHEV; the latter only comes in Premium and Premium Plus trims. The 3.3 Turbo and 3.3 Turbo S benefit from a 48-volt mild hybrid system that improves low-end torque. Even the base Turbo engine is zesty, offering 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft. of torque. The Turbo S ups that to 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft. of torque. Keep in mind that those maximum power figures are running on premium gasoline, which can add to your everyday expenses. The PHEV has a smaller 2.5-liter turbo engine but still achieves 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft. of torque. That model can also drive up to 26 miles on pure electric power.
Working in concert with an 8-speed automatic transmission, the 3.3 Turbo S that I drove hauled butt for its size, turning in a respectable 0-to-60 time of 6.2 seconds. Acceleration is satisfying, and thanks to a rear-biased all-wheel-drive system, it offers a sportier ride than most SUVs. Mazda’s engineers have done a great job making its vehicles engaging to drive, and the CX-70 provides a pleasant, car-like ride from behind the wheel.
While I can’t speak for the interior of the other grades, the Premium Plus cabin is as elegant as those found in high-end luxury vehicles. Almost every surface is covered with Nappa leather, with smooth and suede textures to enjoy. Instead of wasting suede on a headliner like some luxury cars, Mazda put the tactile suede on the dashboard, door panels, and seating surfaces. It looks beautiful and rich, though I don’t know how kid-friendly that material is. The center console’s dark woodgrain trim is artificial but still beats shiny piano black plastic.
The front seats are comfortable and supportive and offer 8-way power adjustments, including lumbar support. The front and second-row seats are heated, and the front seats have ventilation to help cool your body on hot days. There’s also a heated steering wheel and a dual-pane sunroof.
The 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and multimedia screen are both crisp and bright. Tech and safety features are plentiful, including adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, emergency braking support, and a 360-degree monitor with front and rear parking sensors.
The center stack display offers access to navigation, media, climate, and vehicle settings and has built-in support for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. One thing to note is that the touchscreen defaults to being deactivated, as Mazda prefers that you use its knob-based control to interact with the system. This is fine for getting around system menus, but CarPlay and Android Auto were built for touch input. Fortunately, there is a way to enable the touchscreen for those applications.
The second-row seats in the CX-70 provide excellent legroom and headroom. These are also trimmed in that rich Nappa leather and suede. Unlike the CX-90’s available captain’s chairs, a three-person bench seat is the only second-row choice. In addition to the heated seats, there’s a third climate zone for back-seat passengers. There are dual USB-C ports for device charging as well. The side windows have manually retractable sunshades, too.
Since there’s no third row behind, that opens up the space for a little extra storage. There’s a flip-up floor panel where the seats would be in the CX-90, and under that, a couple of small storage trays sculpted from dense, fabric-covered foam. It’s big enough for storing tools, emergency gear, and a first aid kit. Lift the lightweight tray, and you’ll find a temporary spare tire.
The CX-90 already has ample cargo space, and its numbers are almost identical to the CX-70 on paper. The two-row SUV has 39.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 75.3 cubic feet behind the front row. The three-row has 40 cubic feet behind the second row and 74.2 cubic feet behind the front row. The completely flat floor in the CX-70 looks tidier but barely adds any space. And while the third row might be gone, its cupholders remain. It would have been nice if Mazda did something clever with that space and installed something more practical, like locking storage bins.
There’s a whole lot to like about the 2025 Mazda CX-70. It’s sporty and handles well, has a spacious cabin with plentiful modern tech, and the Premium Plus has drop-dead gorgeous interior materials. But the same could be said about the CX-90, which has all that plus a third row of seats. I suppose that if you never plan on having more than five passengers, there’s no value in having a third row, but otherwise, it’s nice to have the flexibility.
CX-70 vs. CX-90 pricing is very similar as well – though the three-row model does offer a lower trim level that the two-row doesn’t. Prices for the 2025 CX-70 3.3 Turbo Preferred start at $40,445, with the 3.3 Turbo S Premium Plus starting at $55,950. The equivalent CX-90 variants start at $40,945 and $56,450, respectively, so that simply means the third row is a $500 add-on. In addition, Mazda offers a 3.3 Turbo Select model that starts at just $37,845, making the cheapest CX-90 $2,600 less expensive than the cheapest CX-70. The CX-70 PHEV Premium starts at $54,400, while the CX-90 PHEV Premium is $54,900, but again, the CX-90 PHEV is offered in a less-expensive Preferred model for about $4,500 less. That said, both the CX-70 and CX-90 are excellent SUVs, so you can’t go wrong with either.