1. Smooth, powerful drive 

The 2026 Mazda CX-70 comes in three engine offerings, which all pair with an 8-speed automatic transmission and feature All-Wheel Drive.

Engine options include:

— A 3.3-liter turbo six-cylinder engine delivering 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque
— A separate, higher-output 3.3-liter turbo six-cylinder engine that cranks it up to 340 horsepower and 369 pound-feet
— A plug-in hybrid version that combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, and delivers 323 horsepower and 369 pound-feet.

All of these offerings are solid options under the hood, and will deliver a powerful, smooth ride that tops the experience you’ll find in most SUV competitors. Both of the standard engines feature a mild-hybrid setup that helps with acceleration.

I tested the high-output engine with the max horsepower and was highly impressed by the experience, including how agile the vehicle was on twisty roads. You also get Drive options including Sport, Off-road and Towing (with a 5,000 pound towing capacity), plus a Hill Descent Control feature for more adventurous excursions.

The 0-to-60 time in the CX-70 I tested was just over 6 seconds, which is a strong number in this size of vehicle. The base engine will clock in around 7 seconds.

All in all, this is a vehicle you’ll look forward to driving every day.

2. Sharp Mazda exterior design

One thing that Mazda has excelled at in recent years is sharp vehicle designs that are sure to catch your eye. The look of the CX-70 is styled similarly to the equally attractive Mazda CX-90.

My test vehicle featured a beautiful Melting Copper Metallic paint color, 21-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires, sharp-looking honeycomb grille, LED headlights, aluminum roof rails, power auto folding side mirrors, and a power panoramic roof.

The low, sleek, classy design of the CX-70 looks sharper than most of its competitors, and even on par with some luxury vehicle designs

3. Luxury-level interior

One thing that always stands out with a Mazda vehicle is the high-end interiors in their vehicles. 

Mazda eclipses most competitors’ interiors and puts itself on a level with near luxury level design, and you wouldn’t be wrong to think you were in a Lexus, BMW or Audi when you sit in the CX-70.

This is achieved through Nappa leather trimmed seating, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated leather steering wheel, heated second-row seats, and more. You also get second-row window sunshades, and a frameless auto-dimming rear view mirror with Homelink.

Cargo space is also solid for the segment, coming at 40 cubic feet behind the second row, and 75 cubic feet with the second row folded down.

4. Tech setup is outdated; Safety features shine

The infotainment/tech setup is one area where I believe Mazda needs to make some updates on future models of the CX-70 and other models.

While I like the 12.3-inch screen size, the continued reliance on Mazda’s center dial to control things is a concern, as the process to select the commands you need is often overly complicated. There are indications this will be rectified on future models (it’s already changed on the new CX-5), but for the time being you’re stuck either using the dial or voice controls (unless you use Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, which enables touchscreen access).

On the plus side, the CX-70’s Navigation system worked well, and you get Bluetooth connection, and a loud and clear Bose sound system to listen to your music. Wireless phone charger is also included.

Mazda impresses with its backup camera and 360-degree view, which comes in handy in tight parking and maneuvering situations. The vehicle’s Lane Keeping Assist and Radar Cruise Control systems combine to create a self-driving ability that is reliable and keeps the vehicle where heading it needs to be.

The CX-70’s 5-star safety rating is earned through a variety of helpful systems, including:
— Front, knee, curtain & side Impact airbags
— Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
— Front and rear parking sensors
— Blind spot monitoring
— Lane departure warning system
— Rear cross traffic alert
— Traffic sign recognition
— Smart brake support front and rear
— Front cross traffic alert/braking
— Vehicle exit warning

5. Pricing is high on upper trims 

Compared to rivals in this segment, the 2026 Mazda CX-70 is at the high end of the price range, with pricing starting around $43K, and topping out around $59K.

Trim levels include Preferred, Premium, Premium Plus, S Premium and S Premium Plus. The lower trims are more competitive with rivals, but the higher you go up, it’s closer to luxury pricing territory, which may drive away some buyers.

Those who opt for the S models will definitely pay for that extra horsepower.

Warranties are solid, coming in at:
— 3-year/36,000 mile new vehicle limited warranty
— 5-year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty
— 24-hour roadside assistance

For those who like the CX-70 but are looking to save, you may want to look into a 2025 model, as the vehicle carries over for 2026.

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