2025 Mazda CX-70 PHEV First Drive Review: Fewer Seats, No Less Excellent

The CX-70 is Mazda’s take on the CX-90 minus the third row of seats, taking the brand’s largest SUV from an eight-seater to a five-seater and giving it a new model name. That may sound dismissive, but in the automotive world, such simplicity is a rarity, and it’s something we appreciate. To easily differentiate the two, we’d break it down like this: If you go to a Mazda dealer wanting a large five-seater SUV, then you look at the CX-70. If you need more seating space at the expense of cargo room, you opt for the CX-90. The only big decision for either is whether you want a plug-in hybrid or a gasoline-powered six-cylinder engine with a mild hybrid assist.

We already like the CX-90 and have driven it for a full week with the inline-six-cylinder engine, so this is an important follow-up; we got some good seat time with the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) CX-70 propelling us around Palm Springs and along the freeway.

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Exterior: A Subtle Difference

Only car nerds will be able to spot the difference between the CX-70 and CX-90 without paying attention to the rear badge. Look closely, though, and you can see the CX-70 has a different front and rear fascia hinting at some extra sportiness, while the gloss-black rear roof spoiler rounds out the shape to give it somewhat more of a coupe-like appearance. There’s no difference in dimensions, with only curb weight showing the CX-90 is heavier thanks to the extra row of seating.

Paint options for the CX-70 are limited, with Jet Black Mica being the standard color and an upcharge of $450 being required for Polymetal Gray, Zircon Sand, or the extravagant-looking Melting Copper Metallic – the latter isn’t available on the base inline-six model. The two premium options costing $595 are Mazda’s signature Soul Red Crystal or Rhodium White. It’s an interesting decision to make white a premium-cost option.

Interior: The Same, But Different

Inside the CX-70, it feels exactly the same in the driver’s seat. Move back, though, and the rear bench seat can be remotely folded down to take storage from just under 40 cubic feet up to a smidge over 75 cubic feet, which is plenty for a couple’s long weekend adventure. Mazda has also added what it calls a sub-trunk in addition to the spare tire storage area under the load-bearing deck. It’s perfect for storing away valuables and small pieces of luggage when leaving the car to go on an activity.

But inside is also where the main difference between the CX-70 and Cx-90 is visible. While the CX-70 has two rows of seating, the CX-90 offers three (and a further option to seat two people or three in the rear-most perch). The difference, as reflected in the interior dimensions, isn’t as massive as you’d expect.

• 

  2025 Mazda CX-70

  Two-Row

  Interior Dimensions

  Headroom Front|Rear

  39.6 – 39.7 | 38.4 – 39.3 inches

  Legrooom Front|Rear

  41.7 | 39.4 inches

  Cargo Space

  39.6 – 75.3 ft³

• 

  2024 Mazda CX-90

  Three-Row

  Interior Dimensions

  Headroom Front|Rear

  39.7 | 39.3 | 36.9 inches

  Legrooom Front|Rear

  41.7 | 39.4 | 30.4 inches

  Cargo Space

  14.9 – 75.2 ft³

Infotainment: Additional Content

Both the driver’s gauge cluster and center infotainment screen are 12.3-inch units. The large driver display is well-sized to display quite a bit of valuable information at the same time, and has the ability to also display navigation via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto here. Alexa Built-in has been added and can be used to operate climate controls, the heating on the seats, and navigation, as well as make phone calls and control audio functions.

A new Mazda Online Navigation System has also been added, but, there is a caveat:

We think it’s unlikely anyone will mess around with an SD card for car navigation in three years’ time, so that doesn’t seem to be particularly user-friendly.

Under The Hood: Old School Or New

It’s an odd decision to develop and release a straight-six cylinder engine (straight, meaning the cylinders are all in a straight line rather than the two banks of three that make a V6) in the 2020s, but Mazda has done it. The advantage is a smoother engine, but the disadvantage is needing a longer engine bay and not using the width. Mazda has also combined it with a mild hybrid system, and the result is a refined yet reasonably potent powertrain in either Turbo or Turbo S trim. Power can go to all four wheels, or just the rears. An inline-six with rear-wheel drive is BMWs specialty, and one Mercedes recently moved back to for some models. In other words, it’s a classic yet premium approach.

The PHEV version comes in Premium and Premium Plus trims, dropping the inline-six’s base preferred trim. It matches a 100 kW motor to a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and makes 323 horsepower with 369 lb-ft of torque overall – you’ll lose a few horses if you don’t use premium fuel. Either way, it’s quite a bit more than the base inline-six’s 280 hp and 332 lb-ft. However, the inline-six setup (in either state of tune) can tow up to 5,000 pounds, while the PHEV can only tow up to 3,500 pounds. Like all towing maxes now, that’s likely down to cooling ability.

On The Road: A Premium Experience

Mazda has been seeking a more upmarket demographic while keeping prices reasonable, and has nailed it with both the CX-70 and CX-90. The ride is smooth, the cabins are roomy and nicely put together, the road noise is low, and the comfort is high. Both powertrains are super-smooth to drive and deliver what feels like the correct amount of power for the vehicle’s demeanor – which is relaxed yet sharp.

The PHEV is no punchier when acceleration is demanded, but, as expected, the engine noise is a little less refined. There’s no feeling of the powertrains shifting between electric and gas power unless you’re incredibly sensitive and looking for it.

A few journalists at the event reported some glitches from the transmission under full load and with the air conditioning on in the six-cylinder cars, which is truly a Palm Springs problem – but it’s one Mazda is aware of, and we expect it to be fixed. We didn’t experience that ourselves, but we have noticed Mazda transmissions can get confused driving uphill slowly on mountain roads. Again, that’s very specific and less of a quality-of-life issue.

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Around town, it’s close to a serene German car experience but with more of a feel of airiness from the cabin. Mazda does interiors incredibly well now, and with ride quality to match – we had no issue with the torn-up desert roads on the outskirts of Palm Springs or on the 10 freeway, which is notoriously bad. On the ever-rising and twisting Palms To Pines highway, the CX-70 is a delight to pick up some pace with, especially in Sport mode. There is a change in demeanor, but it’s not so aggressive as to override the crossover’s character. It’s a surprising amount of fun for a big crossover that doesn’t have a special badge with an added price tag to match.

Conclusion: Mazda In Full Stride

Just like the CX-90, the CX-70 is a remarkably pleasing vehicle, and we’ve selected the word ‘pleasing’ deliberately. It’s brilliantly executed if you’re looking for style without obnoxiousness, tech and comfort without excess, and performance without brutality.

• 

  2025 Mazda CX-70

  Inline-6 Gas

  Base MSRP

  $40,445

  Engine

  3.3L Turbo Inline-6 Gas

  Horsepower

  280-340 hp

  Torque

  332-369 lb-ft

  Transmission

  8-Speed Automatic

  Drivetrain

  All-Wheel Drive

  Towing Capacity

  5,000 bs

  Fuel Economy

  24/28/25 mpg

  Cargo Space

  39.6 – 75.3 ft³

• 

  2025 Mazda CX-70 PHEV

  Plug-In Hyrid

  Base MSRP

  $54,400

  Engine

  2.5L Inline-4 Plug-in Hybrid

  Horsepower

  323 hp

  Torque

  369 lb-ft

  Transmission

  8-Speed Automatic

  Drivetrain

  All-Wheel Drive

  Towing Capacity

  3,500 lbs

  Fuel Economy

  56 MPGe

  Cargo Space

  39.6 – 75.3 ft³

There’s nothing unnecessary about the CX-70, and we couldn’t find anything to fault. Mazda does need to pay attention to its transmission tuning with the aim of perfection, but most people will never notice its flaws. Both models are easy to recommend if they tick the right lifestyle boxes.