Overview
There are SUVs that get you from A to B. And then there is the Mazda CX-70 — a machine that makes you invent reasons to drive. In a world drowning in boring crossovers, Mazda has thrown down the gauntlet with their latest creation: a two-row premium SUV that refuses to play it safe.
Pros:
- Thunderous inline-six engine with intoxicating exhaust note
- Cavernous 40 cubic feet of cargo space
- Premium interior that punches above its weight
- Rear-wheel-drive platform delivers genuine driving pleasure
- Plug-in hybrid option with 26-mile electric range
Cons:
- Some road noise on rough surfaces
- Four-cylinder PHEV sounds less refined
- Second-row seats dont fold completely flat
- Starting price climbs quickly with options
When we first laid eyes on the 2026 CX-70 in the metal, it stopped us cold. This isnt just another family hauler — its a statement piece. While everyone else is building front-wheel-drive appliances, Mazda went rogue with a rear-wheel-drive platform that screams performance from every angle.
Performance and Engine
Forget everything you know about midsize SUV engines. The CX-70 packs Mazdas most powerful production engine ever — and holy hell, does it deliver. We tested both powertrains, and each tells a different story.
Engine Specs
The base Turbo model serves up a 3.3-liter turbocharged inline-six mild hybrid that generates 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. But thats just the appetizer. Step up to the Turbo S, and youre looking at 340 horses and 369 lb-ft of twist. Every CX-70 comes with an eight-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive — no compromises.
Then theres the plug-in hybrid wildcard: a 2.5-liter four-banger paired with an electric motor for a combined 323 hp and 369 lb-ft. Plus, you get 26 miles of pure electric range for guilt-free school runs. The 17.8-kWh battery pack charges in about 2.5 hours on a Level 2 charger.
Driving Experience
Mash the throttle in the Turbo S, and the CX-70 lunges forward with the urgency of a sports sedan. That inline-six doesnt just move — it sings. The exhaust note is pure mechanical symphony, a deep growl that builds to a howl as the tach climbs. This is the sound missing from every other crossover in the segment.
Sport mode transforms the personality completely. The steering gains serious heft, the suspension hunkers down, and suddenly youre carving canyon roads like you stole something. Yes, the ride gets firm — maybe too firm for some — but who cares when youre having this much fun?
The PHEV delivers similar thrust but with a different character. Electric torque hits instantly, launching you forward in eerie silence before the four-cylinder kicks in. Its not as melodious as the six, but the performance is undeniable. We hunted for the low-speed refinement issues that plagued early CX-90s and came up empty — Mazda has clearly been listening.
Interior and Comfort
Step inside the CX-70, and youre greeted by an interior that would make German luxury brands nervous. This isnt just nice for a Mazda — its legitimately premium. Leather comes standard across the range, and our test vehicles burgundy and tan hides looked rich enough to eat.
Infotainment
Twin 12.3-inch screens dominate the dashboard — one for the driver, one for infotainment. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connect wirelessly (finally!), though purists can still use Mazdas signature rotary dial controller. The system responds quickly, looks sharp, and doesnt make you want to throw your phone out the window.
Alexa integration comes standard, along with some genuinely useful tech like a trailer-hitch overhead camera and unresponsive-driver support that can literally save your life if you zone out.
Cargo and Passenger Space
Heres where the CX-70 plays its ace card: space. Behind the second row sits 40 cubic feet of cargo room — more than a BMW X5 or Lexus RX. Mazda even carved out clever underfloor storage accessible from the rear passenger doors. Its the kind of thoughtful touch that makes daily life easier.
The rear doors swing open nearly 90 degrees, and remote fold-down buttons let you drop the second row without gymnastics. Throw in dual 120-volt outlets on the cargo walls, and youve got a mobile base camp for weekend adventures. Our only gripe? The seats dont fold completely flat, but theres still enough room to sleep two comfortably.
Safety and Reliability
Mazda loaded the CX-70 with every safety acronym in the book. Adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking — its all here and standard. The standout is that unresponsive-driver system we mentioned, using an interior camera to monitor if youre paying attention. Creepy? Maybe. Life-saving? Definitely.
While official crash test ratings arent out yet, the CX-90 (which shares the platform) earned solid marks across the board. Given Mazdas recent reliability track record, we expect the CX-70 to age gracefully.
Pricing and Value
Lets talk money. The CX-70 starts at $42,250 for the base Turbo Preferred — not cheap, but youre getting a lot of SUV for the money. Want the fire-breathing Turbo S? That starts at $53,825. The PHEV commands a $55,775 entry fee.
| Trim Level | Engine | Starting Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turbo Preferred | 3.3L I6 Mild Hybrid (280 hp) | $42,250 | Leather, dual 12.3″ screens, AWD |
| Turbo S Premium | 3.3L I6 Mild Hybrid (340 hp) | $53,825 | Upgraded engine, premium audio |
| Turbo S Premium Plus | 3.3L I6 Mild Hybrid (340 hp) | $56,200 | Ventilated seats, heads-up display |
| PHEV Premium | 2.5L I4 + Electric (323 hp) | $55,775 | 26-mile EV range, tax credit eligible |
| PHEV Premium Plus | 2.5L I4 + Electric (323 hp) | $58,200 | All features plus plug-in efficiency |
Yes, these prices put the CX-70 in premium territory. But compare it to a similarly equipped BMW X5 (starting at $65,000+) or Lexus RX ($50,000+), and suddenly Mazda looks like the smart money. You get rear-wheel-drive dynamics, genuine performance, and a cabin that doesnt apologize for its badge.
Fuel economy lands at an EPA-estimated 23 city/28 highway for the mild hybrid models — respectable for the performance on tap. The PHEV crushes it with 65 MPGe combined, assuming you plug in regularly.
Verdict
The 2026 Mazda CX-70 isnt perfect. Some will find the sport suspension too stiff. Others might balk at the price. And yeah, those rear seats could fold flatter. But honestly? Who cares.
This is an SUV that remembers driving should be fun. In a segment stuffed with competent but boring choices, the CX-70 stands out like a sports car at a minivan convention. It looks gorgeous, drives like it means it, and offers genuine luxury without the snobbery.
More importantly, it proves Mazda hasnt given up on enthusiasts. While everyone else chases efficiency metrics and autonomous features, Mazda built something that makes you want to take the long way home. The inline-six sounds glorious, the handling defies physics for a 4,500-pound SUV, and the interior rivals anything from Munich or Tokyo.
If youre shopping for a midsize two-row SUV and care about driving dynamics, the CX-70 deserves your attention. Its not just another crossover — its a reminder that family haulers dont have to be boring. In fact, they can be downright intoxicating.
Our pick? The Turbo S Premium Plus. You get the full-strength engine, all the tech goodies, and enough performance to embarrass sports sedans at stoplights. At $56,200, its not cheap, but neither is therapy — and the CX-70 delivers way more smiles per mile.
— Jake Ryder
Written by Jake Ryder
Jake Ryder is the founder and lead reviewer at Road SUV. He has spent more than a decade behind the wheel of everything from subcompact crossovers to full-size 4x4s, logging thousands of highway and off-road miles across the United States. His reviews focus on what actually matters to real drivers: cargo space you can use, safety features that work, and honest talk about fuel economy and pricing.
