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The 2025 Mazda CX-70 arrives later this year, when pricing and full specs should be announced. We’ll update this preview as Mazda releases more news.
New for 2025, the Mazda CX-70 shares a platform with the CX-90 three-row crossover SUV, but it comes with only five seats. Other than that, they’re the same size in most every dimension. It’s a midsize crossover that rivals the Lincoln Nautilus and Volvo XC60 as well as the Honda Passport and Chevy Blazer.
It looks promising but we won’t know until we drive it later this spring. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
The CX-70 is a new vehicle, but like other new Mazdas, it embraces a double-digit numeric part of its alphanumeric model name. Just like the Mazda CX-90 replaced the CX-9 last year, and how the CX-30 replaced the CX-3 small crossover a few years ago, the new Mazda CX-70 fills a spot abandoned by the CX-7 midsize crossover more than a decade ago.
Naming conventions aside, the CX-70 shares the large Mazda platform used on the CX-90 and has the same athletic proportions and stance, with a long nose, a snub rear, and relatively short overhangs.
Mazda embraces smoothness on its body panels and curves on its corners. The Mazda grille sits like a crest under the hood of the CX-70, and its arms reach out to headlights and running lights that are neither too pointy nor too encompassing. Vertical lower air intakes emphasize the tall, flat face, then Mazda curves the design around the fenders and their circular wheel arches to the rear, where it splits the difference between the traditional boxy SUV rear and the German trend toward more curving, coupe-like tails that cut into cargo space. It’s a refreshingly clean look, eschewing the brash grilles and flexed sides of so many other crossovers pretending to be SUVs.
The interior applies that clean smoothness across the long dash. A long center screen up to 12.3 inches across sits atop the dash as in other Mazda SUVs, and even though it’s designed for safety, the console control dial to operate it takes too many twists and touches to feel like a safety measure or a convenience. Mazda introduces Amazon Alexa voice commands in the CX-70, a Mazda first, so it sounds like Mazda is addressing some of the system’s shortcomings. That’s furthered by a row of climate control buttons and menu buttons for the infotainment that should limit the use of the dial controller.
The new platform is based on a rear-wheel-drive layout and comes with standard all-wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic transmission. It uses a double wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension that promises a softer ride befitting of the premium segment.
The three powertrain options also come to the CX-70. The base 3.3 Turbo has a turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-6 supplemented by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system to make 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. It has an EPA rating of 24 mpg city, 28 highway, 25 combined, which is above average efficiency for this class. It’s the only engine option to come with the base Preferred trim, but it will be offered last, expected this fall.
Premium and Premium Plus trims are offered on the CX-70 3.3 Turbo S and PHEV models. The 3.3 Turbo S generates 340 hp and 369 lb-ft. With premium fuel, it returns a nearly identical EPA rating of 23/28/25 mpg combined, even with the big gains in power over the base Turbo model. It can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.
The CX-70 PHEV teams a 189-hp 2.5-liter inline-4 with a 173-hp electric motor powered by a 17.8-kwh lithium-ion battery pack. Total output is 323 hp and 369 lb-ft with premium fuel, and Mazda estimates 26 miles of electric range, same as in the larger CX-90. It gets the estimated equivalent of 56 mpg with gas and electric power, and it can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
Given its size and dimensions, the CX-70 should seat five comfortably with good cargo room. A sub-floor shows storage pockets for a charge cable or valuables, and Mazda notes that power-folding rear seats should ease its versatility. The smaller CX-50 seats three passengers in the rear seats in relative comfort, and we expect the CX-70 to be even friendlier to rear passengers.
Mazda equips all of its crossover SUVs with standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, active lane control, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and a rear seat reminder.
How much does the 2025 Mazda CX-70 cost?
The 2025 Mazda CX-70 3.3 Turbo Preferred costs $41,820, including a mandatory $1,375 destination fee, but it arrives this fall as the last model to go on sale. Standard features include leather upholstery and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with touch functions when integrated with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s also wireless smartphone charging, keyless entry, power front seats that are heated, and other modern touches. It rolls on 19-inch wheels. It’s the same price as a similarly equipped CX-90.
The 3.3 Turbo S Premium costs $53,825, but it has more upgrades than the 3.3 Turbo Premium trim. It has heated power-folding side mirrors, different 21-inch wheel designs, chrome badging, more black accents, adaptive headlights, and nappa leather on the inside. It has all of the features of the $50,275 Turbo Premium Plus, making for more naming confusion in Mazda’s already confusing trim walk.
The PHEV Premium costs $55,775 and is similarly equipped as the 3.3 Turbo Premium. The $58,825 PHEV Premium Plus tops the lineup.
Where is the 2025 Mazda CX-90 made?
It will be manufactured in Japan.
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