Mazda’s commitment to the SUV segment has grown over the past few years. Models like the CX-50, CX-30, and even the flagship CX-90 are keen to show that the Japanese auto brand is willing to play with some of the most iconic high rollers in the segment. That includes the two-row side of the coin and Mazda has decided to fill a gap in its lineup with the all-new 2025 Mazda CX-70 which slots in between the CX-90 and the smaller CX-50 in the brand’s SUV lineup.
It May Look Like A CX-90 But Look Closer
At first glance, it’s easy to dismiss the CX-70 as merely a CX-90 that had its third-row removed. However, look past that and you’ll see that Mazda added a few new touches to help sharpen up the final details. The exterior styling gets more gloss black accents and the larger front grille design leads the eye to the reworked front bumper which gets bigger vents in the corners. The rear bumper has also been reworked and the two new 21-inch wheel designs get machined faces with splashes of gloss black paint in the pockets. The look here is distinctive from the CX-90 and Mazda says that it’s also supposed to appeal to adventurer seekers but we’ll hold our final judgment on the matter until we get a chance to drive the CX-70 at a later date.
The interior also builds on the enhanced levels of design with the two models Mazda had on hand at a lead-up event we were invited to in New York boasting cabins that build on strong color themes with no wood trim anywhere in sight. It will be interesting to see if Mazda changes its tune on that in the future, but for now, we like the move since it establishes the CX-70 as the SUV that eschews many traditional luxury accents for a look that’s sleeker and sportier. The bold red accented theme is also exclusive to the CX-70 which is a nice bonus as well.
The bulk of the equipment on the CX-70 is largely carried over from the CX-90 but the main difference here is that the CX-70 debuts Amazon Alexa capability for the first time with the model being the only available Mazda for now that boasts Alexa with the software also being joined by existing wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. Alexa brings a number of key features to the SUV including the ability to control Alexa at-home devices from the vehicle as well as voice control for select functions (complete with Alexa’s trademark voice.)
Carryover Performance Sees Duty In CX-70
Performance for the 2025 Mazda CX-70 comes from the same two engines that also see duty in the CX-90 with the PHEV variant being powered by a hybrid equipped 2.5-liter four-cylinder while other versions of the SUV get the 3.3-liter turbocharged inline-six. Mazda wasn’t ready to reveal horsepower numbers at the time of our visit, but expect the two engines to match the numbers we have already seen in the CX-90 with the PHEV making 323 hp while the inline-six makes 280 to 340 hp depending on tune.
Fuel economy numbers were also not released, but we expect to see minor differences in mileage which is partly due to the CX-70’s slightly lighter curb weight thanks to the removal of the third row. Towing will also be a key part of the CX-70 story with the inline-six equipped model towing up to 5,000 lbs while the PHEV is slightly less at 3,500 lbs.
When Can I Buy One?
Mazda didn’t reveal official pricing for the 2025 CX-70 lineup but it’s a safe bet to assume that the pricing ladder will be slightly less expensive than its three-row counterpart. For reference, a base CX-90 starts at $40,970 with the PHEV variant starting at $51,320. As a result, a base CX-70 model (in theory) could potentially start in the mid $30,000 range with volume spec versions going over $43,000. We still have to wait for official confirmation from Mazda on whether our suspicions hold weight, but if it does, the eventual pricing ladder would allow the CX-70 to emerge as a value play for some households.
When the SUV goes on sale later this year, it will be the latest entry into a sub-segment of the SUV ranks that has seen renewed growth over the past few years. In addition to competing with rivals like the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Mazda will also be trying to punch above its weight class again and take on rivals like the Acura RDX as well as select entries from BMW, Audi, and Genesis. In the meantime, we also had the opportunity to shoot some video content with the CX-70 in New York City before the official unveiling, and we have included a link to one of them below.
@carlmalek Thank you to #mazda for allowing us to come down to #newyork #newyorkcity to spend some time with the #mazdacx70 #2025mazdacx70 it might look like a #tworowversion of the #mazdacx90 but there’s plenty of unique touches here. Oh and the company only had #canadian spec vehicles for us to film so there will be minor differences (which we’ll point out throughout the video. #vehicles #carsoftiktok #cartokhub #cardujour #fyp #suv #suvsoftiktok #suvs #sportutilityvehicles #familyhauler #familyhaulers
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.