Mazda has always been a niche brand with a much smaller product line than Honda, Toyota, and Nissan. Even with their limited selection of vehicles, Mazda has always managed to make a big splash in one way or another. When it was announced that Mazda was developing a rear-wheel-drive-based platform for future luxury cars, it signaled a major shift in the brand’s history.
They were leaving the mainstream market behind to take on Lexus, Acura, Genesis, and possibly even BMW. Now, with the CX-70 and CX-90, Mazda is making their presence known with upscale SUVs that boast personalities, capabilities, and performance not seen from this Japanese manufacturer in the modern age. So, here are four reasons why you should buy a 2025 Mazda CX-70.
1. Competitive Luxury and Refinement
Acura, Infiniti, and Lexus have long been considered the Japanese luxury brands that undercut European rivals in terms of price and value. This decade, however, has brought more sensible alternatives offering the same level of refinement and quality at a fraction of the cost.
Mazda now joins this list. While not traditionally seen as a luxury manufacturer, Mazda’s higher trims offer qualities and attributes that appeal to buyers with expensive tastes. The CX-70 features heated and ventilated leather-trimmed seats, setting the tone for a luxurious driving environment.
Soft-touch materials for the dashboard and door panels elevate the experience further, exuding a subtle sense of sophistication. Best of all, the CX-70 has a tech-focused and tactile layout that many carmakers have moved away from in recent years.
In front of you is a full digital gauge cluster with limited customizability, appealing to those who appreciate simplicity. An available head-up display with traffic sign recognition encourages you to keep your eyes on the road. Mazda addressed a significant criticism by integrating a touchscreen that can be used when paired with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
Otherwise, you’ll use the buttons and dials on the center console to navigate the screen. This combination of physical buttons and dials for climate control settings is almost unheard of in this segment. Ultimately, the CX-70’s luxurious nature could be compared to a BMW X5, but without the $70,000 price tag.
2. Distinctive Design and Engine Performance
The all-new CX-70 is often referred to as a two-row version of the CX-90, and while this is true, it serves a slightly different consumer demographic. Utilizing the same engines and an almost identical interior as the CX-90, the main difference lies in the exterior design.
The CX-70 replaces chrome accents with black chrome for a lower profile appearance, matched with a mesh grille and a more aggressive front bumper.
This SUV arrives from the factory with a tuned transmission and engine, providing crisper gear shifts and less lag under heavy acceleration. This software update will soon be available to CX-90 owners as well.
Around the back, the only cosmetic difference from the CX-90 is the mesh molding for the bumper, adding a symmetrical look to the overall design. Some may argue that Mazda didn’t do enough to give the CX-70 its own unique value proposition. However, the CX-70 and CX-90 can be seen as complementary pieces within Mazda’s lineup.
3. Impressive Powertrain Options
At the heart of Mazda’s latest SUV is its impressive powertrain. For 2025, the CX-70 offers a 3.3L turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine, producing 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque in our model, while non-turbo S trims receive 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque.
This powertrain is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that is quicker to respond than what’s currently experienced by CX-90 owners. Despite the lack of adaptive dampers, the CX-70 isn’t just about speed. Its firm steering feel and stiffened chassis make it agile and maneuverable, considering its size and weight.
For those seeking more eco-friendly options, Mazda offers a plug-in hybrid variant with a 2.5L four-cylinder engine, producing 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, and an all-electric range of 26 miles.
This SUV also qualifies for federal tax credits, appealing to frugal buyers. Either powertrain option provides excellent performance, with the full gas-powered motor offering a sound and character reminiscent of BMW.
4. Value and Performance Combined
In today’s automotive world, it’s uncommon to find a vehicle that challenges the status quo. The Genesis GV80 is one such SUV, often referred to as a “poor man’s Bentley Bentayga.” However, for those looking to spend less than $100,000 on a dream daily driver, the Mazda CX-70 defies conventional decision-making.
It combines luxury and performance in one package, achieving the same goals as the BMW X5 but at a significantly lower cost.
At the end of the day, you could argue that BMW’s B58 inline six-cylinder engine and iDrive user interface justify the higher price tag and that Mazda can’t compete in brand recognition.
However, if you put aside brand snobbery, you’ll realize that the CX-70 makes a lot of sense financially and offers more fun compared to its domestic rivals like the Lexus RX 350 and Infiniti QX60. It provides the best of both worlds that only a handful of competitors can offer.
