LOOKS

Following the attractive design language of the CX-90, it’s no surprise that the CX-70 is also pleasing to the eye.
My test vehicle had a sharp Zircon sand metallic paint color, 21-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires, power side mirrors with turn lamps, panoramic moonroof, adaptive front-lighting system, automatic LED headlights, aluminum roof rails, rain-sensing windshield wipers and an eye-catching honeycomb grille.

The CX-70 has a low, sleek design that makes it look smaller outside than the ample space you get inside. At first glance, you might confuse its classy design with the luxury-level competition and not your more pedestrian SUVs.
That same level of straddling the border between luxury and nonluxury vehicle happens once you get inside the CX-70.

Mazda has flirted for years with luxury-style interiors, and many of their offerings now are essentially on par with the entry level luxury rides from Lexus, BMW and others. If you didn’t see the badge, you might think you’re in a vehicle that costs much more than the CX-70.
My test vehicle featured tan Nappa leather seating, comfortable seating for 5 passengers, heated front seats and a heated leather steering wheel, ventilated front seats and heated second row seats.

Cargo numbers are 40 cubic feet behind the second row, and 75 cubic feet with the second row folded down. These numbers are very strong in the segment, though are beaten out by some rivals such as the Honda Passport.

HOW’S THE RIDE?

Mazda is a brand that wants you to enjoy your time behind the wheel, so they don’t play around under the hood. All the offerings on the CX-70 are strong and among the best drives you’ll experience in a new SUV.
Of the two gas engines offered, I had the more potent one in my test CX-70, which was powered by a 3.3-liter inline six-cylinder turbo engine — delivering a mighty healthy 340 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque (when using premium gasoline).

This was paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive, and drive modes including Sport, Off-road and Towing (5,000-pound towing capacity).
A Hill Descent Control feature also helps in more adventurous terrain.

Below this engine is the base offering, also a 3.3-liter inline six, but with 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque.
Both of these engines feature a mild-hybrid setup that helps with acceleration.

There’s also a third, more eco-friendly engine option, a full-on plug-in hybrid offering, delivering 323 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque.

In terms of 0-to-60 times, the best you’ll do in a CX-70 is just a hair over 6 seconds, which is solid for this size vehicle. The base engine moves up to the 7 second range.
Overall, the ride in the CX-70 is smooth, responsive, quiet, and one that will never leave you frustrated. It gets moving when you want, braking is responsive, and it even handles quite well on a more windy road.

Few SUV rivals can claim to offer a driving experience as strong as the 2026 CX-70, so you’ll look forward to getting on the road each day.

TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY

Tech setup is one of the trouble spots on the otherwise exemplary CX-70.
While the 12.3-inch screen is ample in size, it unfortunately still relies on Mazda’s highly dated center control dial, a system whose time has come to be retired.

Touchscreen capability is only enabled when you activate Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, which not everyone will want to do every time they get in the car. Using a center controller as the default to access all menus, often in a convoluted way, is not the way to be in 2026.

Thankfully, Mazda is starting to modernize its tech lineup, with the 2026 Mazda CX-5 getting a nice new touchscreen, but the other vehicles need to get it as soon as possible so the user experience can be improved.

Additional tech features in the CX-70 include a Navigation system, Bluetooth connectivity, Bose sound system with 12 crisp speakers, satellite radio (3-month trial), wireless phone charger, and several USB connections.

Safety features are strong in the 2026 CX-70, and one of the highlights are the large backup cameras including a 360-degree view, which is quite helpful for showing the full view around the vehicle in tight parking ingress or egress situations.

The limited self-driving system on the CX-70 also worked impressively, keeping the vehicle in between the lines and handling turns well without driver input — through the use of Mazda’s Radar Cruise Control system and Lane Keeping Assist.

The CX-70 has a 5-star safety rating, and its helpful safety tech includes:
— Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
— Blind spot monitoring
— Lane departure warning system
— Driver monitoring system
— Front and rear parking sensors
— Traffic sign recognition
— 360-degree view monitor with see-through view and trailer hitch view
— Rear seat alert
— Frontal, knee, curtain & side Impact airbags
— Smart brake support front and rear
— Front cross traffic alert/braking
— Rear cross traffic alert
— Emergency lane keeping
— Vehicle exit warning

MPG 

Official fuel mileage numbers listed on the 2026 Mazda CX-70 with the upgraded engine are: 23 city/28 highway/25 combined.
I found these numbers to be mostly accurate during my time with the CX-70.

Going for the base engine, and losing those 60 extra horsepower, only gets you a very small boost to 24 city/28 highway/25 combined.
Those who opt for the plug-in hybrid option, get a total of 56 MPGe (combined gas and electric).

And of course, factors like weather and the way you drive will influence how those final fuel mileage numbers turn out.
In the end, the CX-70 is a class leader in the segment in terms of overall gas mileage, in part due to the design of its turbo inline-six offering, an efficient transmission, and a mild-hybrid assist system. What’s most impressive is that it’s more fuel efficient than some rivals even while offering more power.

PRICE

The 2026 Mazda CX-70 was at the high end of the price range at $59,825, but pricing starts around $43K. It’s a great vehicle, and highly competitive in its pricing on the lower trims, but you’re entering luxury pricing territory here if you choose the top trims. This may lead to a pause among some potential buyers.
Trim levels are Preferred, Premium, Premium Plus, S Premium and S Premium Plus.

If you do opt for one of the S models, you’ll definitely appreciate paying for that extra horsepower.
One other tip is to consider a 2025 model, which can offer significant savings, and is pretty much the same vehicle as the 2026 version.

Warranties included on the CX-70 include:
— 3-year/36,000 mile new vehicle limited warranty
— 5-year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty
— 24-hour roadside assistance

There is no complimentary maintenance offered.

BOTTOM LINE

Alongside the nearly identical CX-90, the Mazda CX-70 is one of the most impressive overall SUVs available today; and the better choice of the two if you know you’ll never need the third row for seating.

It features a high-quality design inside and out, exciting drive quality and strong maneuverability for the segment. Outside of the tech setup needing an upgrade, it’s a leader in its segment and worth a test.

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