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A Brand New Midsize SUV Aiming To Elevate Mazda’s Position
The brand-new 2025 CX-70 Mazda two-row, midsize SUV provides seating versatility, attractive exterior and interior styling, and three electrified power units. This USB Stick experience is based on our time spent exploring the CX-70. Green Fleet Report will delve deeper into a Road Test review, after a week-long immersion in the CX-70 and driving hundreds of miles. For now, here is a snapshot of a fresh SUV crafted to propel Mazda into the luxury market segment.
Powertrain Choices
The 2025 Mazda CX-70 features three powertrain choices and seven trim configurations that can be mixed and matched with the engines.
- Turbo: 3.3-liter inline 6-cylinder mild-hybrid engine, delivering 280 horsepower (hp) and 332 pound-feet (lb.-ft.) of torque. The EPA rates the fuel efficiency at 24 mpg city/28 highway/25 combined.
- Turbo S: 3.3-liter inline 6-cylinder mild hybrid. This represents Mazda’s most potent mass-produced gasoline engine, producing 340 hp and 369 lb.-ft. of torque when fueled with 91 octane. The EPA rates it at 23/28/25. The 48-volt mild-hybrid system with both 3.3L engines enhances efficiency and provides smooth acceleration from a standstill.
- Both engines utilize an 8-speed automatic transmission with driver-selectable drive modes and a manual-shift mode. The rear-wheel-biased all-wheel-drive system is a standard feature on all CX-70 models.
- Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV): 2.5-liter non-turbocharged inline-4 coupled with a 100-kilowatt (kW) electric motor generates a combined 323 hp and 369 lb.-ft. of torque. The rechargeable 17.8 kilowatt-hour battery enables this setup to achieve 25 miles per gallon in hybrid mode and provides an all-electric driving range of 26 miles. Both figures are relatively conservative when compared to rival models, something that Mazda engineers are likely looking to enhance.
Mazda provides the charging cable, allowing for charging times from empty to full when plugged into a standard household outlet.
- 120V Level 1 – 11 hours
- 240V Level 2 – 2.2 hours
- 480V Level 3 – Not Available
Charging at Level 1 overnight can replenish the battery, much akin to how you charge your phone nightly. This straightforward approach helps minimize visits to the gas station for most of your urban driving needs.
Stylistic Cues
The CX-70’s exterior, following Mazda’s Kodo: Soul of Motion design philosophy, exudes a sophisticated aura with a subtle grille and appealing LED front and rear lighting. The design proportions, featuring short front and rear overhangs, showcase a sleek body devoid of cladding, and accents of piano black and black chrome along the lower doors, front and rear lower fascia, roof rails, and a honeycomb grille.
The CX-70 is available in six exterior colors—Melting Copper Metallic, Poly Metal Gray Metallic, Rhodium White, Zircon Sand Metallic, Soul Red Crystal, and Jet Black Mica, with all but the latter incurring a premium cost.
The spacious interior accommodates five adults with seats upholstered in leatherette or leather, imparting a luxurious appearance and feel. The broad and deep center console and manual retractable side window shades for rear seat passengers enhance comfort.
With eight inches of ground clearance, occupants enjoy a commanding view of the road. Even with the power panoramic sunroof, there is ample headroom for two six-footers in the front and two to three adults in the second row.
The front seats offer power adjustments with heating and ventilation features. Rear passengers benefit from a center armrest with cup holders, ventilation vents, and heated seats. The hands-free power rear liftgate, with customizable height settings, unveils 50.1 inches of cargo space with the second row upright, expanding to 97.5 inches when the rear 60:40 seat is folded flat.
Technological Advancements
The elongated and low dash features a straightforward, uncluttered, and logical layout housing three information screens. The 12.3-inch digital cluster display presents two easily readable round gauges with black dials and white digits surrounding a multi-information display for the odometer, average fuel economy, and various other data. The second screen is a configurable head-up display exhibiting speed, road speed limits, and other critical driving information.
Lastly, the 12.3-inch full-color central infotainment display serves as the hub for audio, navigation, rearview camera, and vehicle controls. The base Turbo Preferred trim includes an 8-speaker audio system, while all other trims boast the 12-speaker Bose system. All models feature AM/FM HD/Pandora radio, SiriusXM, and wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The infotainment screen is not touch-enabled unless utilizing Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
The audio delivery and reply of SMS text messages, along with AT&T 4G LTE Wi-Fi connectivity through Mazda Connect, contribute to the convenience features.
Driving Experience
Green Fleet Report participated in the CX-70 media launch event in Desert Hot Springs, California, residing at the secluded “wellness escape” Two Bunch Palms that boasts an Al Capone Suite due to local folklore suggesting the infamous gangster once owned the property as his hideout in the West. This intriguing tale adds a touch of enigma to this oasis amidst the desert.
We tested both the high-end Plus trims of the CX-70 Turbo S and PHEV variants. The Turbo S exhibited excellent performance and speed, meeting the expectations of a luxurious SUV. It provided a stable ride, precise cornering, and quick acceleration. While my initial experience with the Turbo S was on flat roads, I look forward to exploring its capabilities on twisty mountain and rural roads in the future.
On the other hand, the CX-70 PHEV offered a distinct driving experience; I specifically chose it to conquer the demanding Palms To Pines Scenic Highway. Renowned among driving enthusiasts in Southern California, the full route spans 67 miles, and we covered around 40 miles to evaluate the CX-70’s climbing, braking, acceleration, and handling.
Our excursion commenced on Highway 74 in Palm Desert at an elevation of 200′, reaching 4,518′ as we passed by the charming village of Mountain Center with a population of 63. Idyllwild, the sought-after destination, attracts visitors in the summer to escape the desert heat and caters to winter sports enthusiasts.
The CX-70 comes equipped with i-Active AWD and Intelligent Drive Select, known as Mi-Drive by Mazda, allowing drivers to choose between different drive modes such as Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Tow. Its seamless 8-speed automatic transmission utilizes driving data to optimize traction based on the selected mode, and it features paddle shifters for added manual control.
In my experience, navigating corners at speeds exceeding the posted limits was effortless. The CX-70 PHEV proved to be a delight to drive in such conditions, especially when utilizing brake regeneration to smoothly maneuver corners without aggressive braking. Descending nearly two miles, the CX-70 PHEV seamlessly transitioned to electric mode, displaying a remarkable 99.9 mpg (its maximum default) and an average energy efficiency of 3.5 miles per kW. Driving with the sunroof and windows open provided the perfect experience, transitioning from Pines To Palms.
Security
The CX-70 is equipped with i-Activesense, offering a wide array of standard and optional safety features, including various airbags, ABS braking system, stability control, adaptive cruise control, rearview camera, and more.
Pricing
The 2025 Mazda CX-70 is available in three models and seven trim levels, with prices including the required $1,455 destination and handling fee.
3.3 Turbo
- Preferred $41,910
- Premium $47,355
- Premium Plus $50,355
3.3 Turbo S
- Premium $53,905
- Premium Plus $57,405
PHEV
- Premium $55,855
- Premium Plus  
