Mazda CX 70
Is the new CX 70, Mazda’s best SUV, better than the CX 50 and CX 90? That’s what we’re going to find out.
Mazda has just unveiled its highly anticipated CX 70 and if you were eyeing a Mazda, but felt that the CX five and CX 50 is just too small, but you don’t really need the space of the larger CX 90, well this could be the perfect answer.
The CX 70 is a midsized suv, similar to the CX 60 that Mazda already sells in many countries. But it is a little bit bigger, and it shares the same platform with the larger CX 90.
Now, if you’ve been waiting a while for the CX 70 and were hoping for a more unique, sleeker and sportier design than the CX 90, well, you might be a little bit disappointed.
It basically looks exactly the same as the CX 60 and the CX 90, and has the same wheel base and overall length. All Mazda has basically done here is remove the third row seats from the CX 90.
And they’re now calling it a CX 70. And because there’s no third row of seats, the CX 90 has a very large cargo area.
Exact dimensions have not been released yet, but it is safe to say that the CX 70 is going to be a lot more spacious than the smaller CX 50 and CX 5, making this a better choice for families and all their stuff.
I also like how the CX 70 allows you to fold the back seats quickly at the push of a button, and how they also added some storage space underneath the cargo floor. Although whether this eliminates the spare tire, we’re not really sure yet.
it is safe to assume that the CX 70 is going to have the exact same options as the larger CX 90.
That means you get a choice of either a six cylinder engine or a four cylinder plugin hybrid.
Both engines will come with a conventional eight speed automatic transmission, so no CVT or dual clutch here, thankfully.
And all wheel drive should be standard on all versions. The six cylinder engine should be the ideal choice for those who want to have really strong performance.
It’s a relatively large displacement, 3.3 liter inline six that’s turbocharged, and it should produce between 280 to 340 HP & Upto 369 pound feet of torque.
On the CX 90 the higher trims have the more powerful tune which should be the same case with the CX 70. And this engine is able to run on either regular or premium fuel.
It also has an impressive towing capacity of up to 5000 pounds, which is really great to see. Overall, I really like this engine
It’s incredibly powerful, it’s very quiet and it’s buttery smooth, which is something that inline six cylinder engines are really well known for when compared to a v6.
Now, for those who want the best fuel economy possible, you’ll also be able to get the CX 70 as a plugin hybrid.
This will use Mazda’s well proven Sky Active G 2.5 liter, naturally aspirated four cylinder engine matched to an electric motor and hybrid battery.
When it’s fully charged, it should be able to travel around 25 to 30 miles or around 40 to 50 km on electric power. After which it’ll just switch to regular hybrid mode with the gas engine on.
Now, I tested this plugin hybrid system on the CX 90 and I actually prefer it to the inline six cylinder engine for a few reasons.
For one thing, it makes similar power around 323 HP & 369 pound feet of torque, so it isn’t lacking for performance.
I like how efficient it can be when you charge it on a regular basis. And I like how in many ways, it’s mechanically more straightforward and more well proven than the inline six. The Sky Active G 2.5 liter engine has been around for over a decade now.
It has proven reliability and should provide plenty of peace of mind. Unlike the inline six cylinder engine, which is relatively new and doesn’t have much of a track record, and is also relatively complicated and can be more expensive to service in the long run.
Mazda was really aiming for something like a BMW or Mercedes with this engine. And it really is closer in design to those vehicles than it is to a traditional Mazda.
But then, on the other hand, Mazda’s reputation for reliability has been extremely good, and I would be willing to give it the benefit of the doubt.
Next to the additional interior space and cargo space, the drivetrains are really what differentiate the CX 70 from the smaller CX five and CX 50.
Both of those suvs can only be had with Mazda’s traditional but well proven four cylinder engines. There are no six cylinder or hybrid options available.
Mazda is supposed to be offering a Toyota hybrid option on the CX 50 soon, but no details have been released yet. For now, if you really want to have a hybrid, the CX 70 is the way to go.
The interior of the CX 70 appears to be more or less identical to that of the CX 90, which is a very good thing.
This is a surprisingly luxurious space with excellent materials and plenty of nice color options that you can choose from.
Mazda has become well known for coming very close, or sometimes even matching the luxury of far more expensive brands like Acura, Lexus and BMW.
But of course, they’re nowhere near as expensive to buy, so in that way, they do offer really good value.
Technology should be very similar to that of the CX 90, with straightforward climate controls, a digital driver display, and a nice infotainment system that’s controlled using a rotary dial.
One addition that Mazda has made for the CX 70 is that it will offer voice commands using Amazon Alexa, which is a nice feature to have.
Now, Mazda has not released any pricing details on the CX 70 quite yet, but it is safe to say that the pricing will be closer to the larger CX 90 than the smaller CX 50.
So my best guess is that it’s going to start in the high $30,000 range and maybe go into the low 50s in the US, and it’s probably going to start in the low forty s and get up to around 60,000 in Canada.
The CX 70 will be available at dealers in the spring. Now, I think this is one suv that is going to be a huge hit.
Mazda has become extremely well known for making really high quality, reliable vehicles that also have really high safety ratings, and they also offer excellent value for the money.
For taller drivers and for those who need a lot of passenger space and cargo space, they just don’t cut it.
And on the flip side, you have the CX 90, which is just too much suv for some. Not everyone needs a seven-passenger, three row suv.
So for them, a CX 70 is going to be the perfect fit. Although I do wish that Mazda tried a little bit more to differentiate the styling from the CX 60 and the CX 90, making it maybe a bit sleeker.
I still think that this is a very stylish, upscale looking suv. It should be very nice to drive and Mazdas are known for their sporty feel and excellent handling.
I like that you have a choice of either a four cylinder plugin hybrid or a powerful six cylinder engine for those who want it, and I really like the stylish, luxurious-looking interior.
But in the meantime, let me know what you think of the CX 70. Is this an suv that you could see yourself buying, or would you go for something else instead?