When we last met the 2025 Mazda CX-70 it was in New York City. However, while the Japanese auto giant was confident that the CX-70 would attract two-row customers looking to get a bigger entry beyond the CX-50, the Canadian spec models they had on hand left us with more questions than answers.
That’s now changed with Mazda recently allowing us to travel to the California desert to spend time with U.S. spec versions of the CX-70. But has the CX-70 truly moved beyond its CX-90 source material? Or is it too imperfect to make a dent in the broader sales race?
CX-70 Proves Looks Can Be Deceiving
At first glance, it might be easy to dismiss the CX-70 as a mere badge-engineered product with the exterior styling sharing alot of similarities with the CX-90 three-row SUV. However, Mazda reps that we spoke with in California encouraged us to look at the finer details and that’s when some of the CX-70’s unique character begins to shine through.
The front bumper is lightly tweaked and gets bigger air intakes while the headlights and front grille also get revamped to project a sportier look. Meanwhile, the CX-70 also gets access to several wheel designs that are not available on the CX-90 that also do their part to improve the SUV’s sporty demeanor. The rear styling is mostly unchanged but that’s fine since the CX-70 looks pretty sporty for a family-focused vehicle.
That said, it will be a tough sell when comparing the CX-70 to its bigger CX-90 sibling since the CX-70 still doesn;t have enough distinctive features to help it stand out as its own distinct model with the company depending on customers to see its inner charms to help them learn its hidden potential and buy it.
Two-Row Luxury
Slip inside the 2025 CX-70 and you’ll find that it shares plenty of things with the CX-90. The base design, infotainment system, and all of the trim and fixings are mirror images of its three-row counterpart. But as mentioned before, it’s the finer details that make this SUV shine.
A prominent difference is that the CX-7 has pitched its third-row seat with Mazda using the space to install a small sub-trunk. This space has room for a wide variety of gear and a separate compartment further up is big enough to hide small computer bags from sight. The missing row also allowed Mazda’s engineers to improve second-row comfort and the seats themselves have plenty of comfort and support. The CX-70 also gets a red two-tone option that’s exclusive to the model. It looks sharp and we highly recommend getting it if you can.
All U.S. spec models come with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (an improvement from the Canadian units we saw last time) with the cluster being paired with a matching 12.3-inch infotainment system. The system gets the usual suspects like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay but the CX-70 is the first Mazda model to add Amazon Alexa to the mix. Mazda says that Amazon can not only control certain vehicle functions but also any Amazon smart home devices that are inside your home. Look for this feature to eventually trickle down to other models since it will give Mazda a potent selling point for their SUVs.
But while the software is sharper, the system is still bogged down by a clunky interface with occupants being forced to use a large control wheel to navigate their way around the system. The screen is not a touch unit most of the time and the wheel and accompanying analog controls are the predominant means of getting around. The lone exception is select features like CarPlay where the screen gets limited touch capability. But other than that, you’re stuck with a setup that makes inputting most information awkward and confusing.
CX-70 Performance Goes To Reform School
Performance for the 2025 Mazda CX-70 is shared with the CX-90 with buyers getting to choose from either a 3.3-liter 340 hp turbocharged inline-six or a 323 hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder that’s paired with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. We had the chance to sample both flavors of CX-70 in California’s Coachella Valley and you would be hard-pressed to find any discernible differences when compared to its CX-90 sibling.
The one major exception is in handling with the steering feeling tighter and more responsive than the CX-90’s when we encountered curvy mountain roads. We suspect that’s partly due to the CX-70’s slightly lighter curb weight which is an indirect result of the bulky third-row seat being removed. All models are equipped with an eight-speed automatic and also get standard all-wheel drive too. A spicier Turbo S variant of the 3.3 liter is also available but we recommend skipping it and sticking with the default tune since that engine has more than enough power for everyday use.
The PHEV proved to be our favorite in urban driving but like the CX-90 version, Mazda still needs to iron out some bugs with the transitions between EV and the gas motor being too rough for our tastes. That’s a shame since the pure EV model helped enhance long-distance fuel economy and is a smooth operator too on smooth roads. While Mazda expects buyers to formally plug in the PHEV to charge the battery pack, the gasoline engine can also act as a generator to help slowly charge it while you’re out on the move.
Value Quotient
Pricing for the 2025 Mazda CX-70 starts at $41,900 for a base Preferred model which includes the $1455 destination fee. Unlike the CX-90, the 70 cuts its trim levels down to seven but still offers buyers plenty of choice with prices going up accordingly depending on what they choose. The PHEV variant is the most expensive of the bunch with that model starting at just over $54,000.
This pricing puts the CX-70 firmly in the hunt with rivals like the Jeep Grand Cherokee and if we had our say, we would either go for the base PHEV or go for the first three trim levels of the 3.3-liter non-S variant since that’s where the CX-70’s true value shines.
As a whole, the 2025 Mazda CX-70 is motivated by consumer choice. Mazda knows that SUV buyers have different expectations and while some will stick with the CX-90 for their passenger hauling needs, customers that might like the look of the 90 but don’t need the extra people space will be pleased with the CX-70. That formula has been successful for the Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L and perhaps Mazda can duplicate the magic with the CX-70.
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.