2026 Mazda CX 70
A detailed real world look at Mazda’s most ambitious two row SUV yet
The Mazda crossover lineup has changed a lot in the last few years, and the CX 70 sits right in the middle of that shake up. For 2026, Mazda has quietly added more standard features, tweaked the powertrain lineup, and sharpened the value story. On paper, it looks strong. Living with it for a week confirms a lot of that.
This is not a soft comfortable cruiser made to disappear into traffic. The CX 70 is trying to be different. Sometimes that works brilliantly. Sometimes it shows Mazda’s stubborn side.
Let’s break it down properly.
Engine and Powertrain Details
Mazda does something rare in this segment. It offers a six cylinder engine as standard.
The base powertrain is a 3.3 litre turbocharged inline six paired with a mild hybrid system.
Key specs
• 280 horsepower
• 332 lb ft of torque
• Standard all wheel drive
• 8 speed automatic transmission
Torque delivery is the real story here. 332 lb ft feels strong in daily driving, especially compared to the turbo four cylinder engines most rivals use. Acceleration feels easy and relaxed rather than frantic.
There is also a Turbo S version of the same engine with a different tune. That one makes 340 horsepower and 369 lb ft of torque for buyers who want more punch.
Mazda also offers a plug in hybrid option. It uses a 2.5 litre four cylinder with electric assistance.
Plug in hybrid highlights
• 323 horsepower
• 369 lb ft of torque
• Electric only range increased from 26 miles to 30 miles for 2026
Mazda has not explained the changes in detail, but weight reduction and feature simplification appear to play a role.
Fuel Economy in the Real World
EPA ratings for the inline six models sit at 25 mpg combined. That already sounds good for a large two row SUV with all wheel drive.
After 220 miles of mixed city and highway driving, real world fuel economy came out to 26.2 mpg. Highway runs regularly showed 28 to 29 mpg.
This is with regular fuel on the standard engine. Premium fuel is only required for the Turbo S models.
That fuel efficiency is one of the CX 70’s strongest arguments.
Driving Experience and Ride Quality
The CX 70 feels quick for its size. More importantly, it feels refined.
The inline six is smooth and quiet. It does not sound or feel like a base engine. Compared to turbo four cylinder rivals, the difference is obvious.
Mazda’s mild hybrid system is aggressive. The engine shuts off frequently while cruising. This helps fuel economy, but it also causes a slight hesitation when you suddenly ask for power. Mazda lets you turn the system off using the i Stop button, and many owners probably will.
Ride quality is where opinions will split.
The CX 70 rides on the firm side. That is typical Mazda. With standard 21 inch alloy wheels on all inline six trims for 2026, road texture comes through more clearly than in comfort focused rivals like the Hyundai Santa Fe or Toyota Crown Signia.
The payoff is handling. Steering feel is excellent. Body control is impressive for a vehicle over 200 inches long. It genuinely feels more like a European luxury SUV when pushed through corners.
If driving feel matters to you, this is one of the most engaging SUVs in the segment.
Exterior Design and Dimensions
Visually, the CX 70 looks sportier than the CX 90 even though they share the same length.
Key exterior notes
• Length is 201.6 inches, same as CX 90
• Sporty Mazda grille with dark chrome finish
• Standard LED headlights with adaptive function
• Standard 21 inch alloy wheels on inline six models
• Blacked out trim elements and Mazda badge for 2026
Mazda’s lighting design deserves credit. The LED headlights work well in real world night driving, and the full LED tail lights look premium.
All inline six models can tow up to 5,000 pounds, which is useful for buyers who actually plan to use their SUV.
The CX70 sticks to Mazda’s familiar look but leans harder into a sporty vibe. Up front, there’s a darkened chrome grille that feels more aggressive than flashy, paired with slim LED headlights that look premium without trying too hard. The lower bumper gets unique detailing to separate it from the CX90, even though the overall shape is very similar. For 2026, all inline-six models get standard 21-inch alloy wheels, which really fill out the arches, along with a blacked-out Mazda badge. Around the sides, you’ll notice black window trim, black roof rails, black door handles, and some cladding along the lower body unless you go Turbo S. Out back, the design stays clean and classy with full LED tail lamps, subtle body-color trim on the lower fascia, and darkened badging. Big, long, and low for the segment, it definitely comes across as more sporty than rugged.
Interior Design and Material Quality
Mazda continues to punch above its weight inside.
All CX 70 models get leather seats as standard. Higher trims add Napa leather, contrast stitching, and a CX 70 exclusive red interior option that adds genuine character.
Cabin materials feel solid and expensive. Soft touch surfaces, stitched dashboards, padded knee rests, and tasteful trim pieces dominate the interior.
It feels more luxury oriented than most mainstream rivals.
Interior Technology and Features
Mazda added a lot of standard equipment for 2026.
Notable standard features on most trims
• 12.3 inch digital gauge cluster
• Head up display on all but base trim
• Heated steering wheel
• Rain sensing wipers
• Three zone automatic climate control
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Heated rear seats
• Wireless phone charger on inline six models
The 12.3 inch infotainment display works well. The screen supports touch input only when using wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Mazda’s rotary controller handles the rest.
One odd decision affects the plug in hybrid models. For 2026, those versions lose wireless CarPlay and Android Auto. Wired connection only. No clear explanation from Mazda.
Audio comes from a 12 speaker Bose Centerpoint system on most trims. Sound quality is good, with a bass heavy tuning typical of Bose systems.
Cabin Storage and Ergonomics
This is one area where the CX 70 shows its flaws.
Center console storage is limited. Using the unofficial donut test, it fits seven donuts. Some rivals fit far more.
Cup holder placement can block climate controls when using tall bottles. Given the wide center console area, this feels like a missed opportunity.
Door storage is better. Rear doors easily hold multiple bottles, which helps balance things out.
Rear Seat Space and Comfort
Rear seat space matches the larger CX 90.
Rear seat measurements
• 39 inches of legroom
• 39 inches of headroom
• Around 10 inches of knee room for a 5 foot 9 driver
Seats slide, recline, and feel supportive. Heated rear seats are now standard on all CX 70 trims for 2026, which is rare in this class.
Rear passengers also get
• Dedicated climate vents
• Two USB ports
• Rear sunshades as standard
Doors open nearly 90 degrees, which helps with child seats.
Cargo Space and Practicality
Cargo space is a strong point.
With the rear seats up, cargo capacity is about 39 cubic feet. Fold them down and that expands to roughly 75 cubic feet.
Cargo dimensions
• 85 inches of max cargo length
• 48 inches behind second row
• 43 inches wide opening
• Just over 29 inches tall
There is underfloor storage, a proper spare tire, and even a household style power outlet. Many hybrid rivals skip the spare tire, so this matters.
Safety and Driver Assistance
Mazda includes its full safety suite as standard.
This includes
• Adaptive cruise control
• Highway assist
• Blind spot monitoring
• Lane keeping assistance
All systems worked consistently during the week without annoying alerts or harsh corrections.
Noise Levels and Cabin Quietness
At 30 mph on a set test road, cabin noise measured 57.2 dB.
That puts the CX 70 on the quieter end of the segment, even in windy conditions. Mazda has clearly invested in sound insulation.
Pricing and Value
Pricing is one of the CX 70’s biggest strengths for 2026.
Base price starts around $42,250.
The tested 3.3 Turbo Premium Plus trim comes in at
• $49,570 starting price
• Around $51,945 as tested
Given the standard features list, that pricing looks competitive.
Mazda builds the CX 70 in Japan, which some buyers still value for perceived build quality.
Resale Value, Reliability, and Warranty
Based on combined data from trusted automotive sources, Mazda’s resale and reliability numbers look solid.
Estimated resale value
• Around 59.44 percent after 5 years and 60,000 miles
• Around 25.28 percent after 10 years and 120,000 miles
Mazda sits slightly above the industry average for reliability.
Warranty coverage includes
• 3 years or 36,000 miles basic warranty
• 5 years or 60,000 miles powertrain warranty
There is no complimentary maintenance.
What Works and What Does Not
What stands out
• Inline six engine performance and refinement
• Excellent real world fuel economy
• Strong standard feature list
• Engaging driving dynamics
• Quiet cabin
What needs improvement
• Center console storage and cup holder layout
• Firm ride may not suit comfort focused buyers
• Mild hybrid hesitation at low speeds
Final Thoughts
After living with it, the 2026 Mazda CX 70 feels better than expected. The standard inline six engine does not feel like a compromise. Fuel economy impresses. Driving dynamics remain a Mazda strength.
It is not perfect. Storage layout and ride comfort will bother some buyers. But if you value how a vehicle drives and want real power without sacrificing efficiency, the CX 70 stands out in a crowded segment.
For buyers tired of generic turbo four cylinder SUVs, this one feels refreshingly different.
2026 Mazda CX 70 FAQs
What is new in the 2026 Mazda CX 70?
The 2026 Mazda CX 70 gets a long list of new standard features. Mazda has added heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a larger digital instrument cluster on most trims, and more driver assistance features as standard. The plug in hybrid lineup has also been simplified and repriced for better value.
What engine options are available on the 2026 Mazda CX 70?
The standard engine is a 3.3 litre turbo inline six with mild hybrid technology producing 280 horsepower and 332 lb ft of torque. There is also a Turbo S version of the same engine with higher output. Buyers can also choose a plug in hybrid that uses a 2.5 litre four cylinder with electric assistance.
Does the 2026 Mazda CX 70 come with all wheel drive?
Yes, all versions of the 2026 Mazda CX 70 come standard with all wheel drive. There is no front wheel drive option offered on this model.
How much does the 2026 Mazda CX 70 cost?
The 2026 Mazda CX 70 starts at around forty two thousand dollars. Higher trims with additional luxury features and the Turbo S powertrain move pricing into the upper forty thousand and low fifty thousand dollar range.
How fuel efficient is the 2026 Mazda CX 70?
EPA ratings for the inline six models are around twenty five miles per gallon combined. In real world driving over a full week, fuel economy averaged just over twenty six miles per gallon, with highway driving often returning even better numbers.
How large is the 2026 Mazda CX 70?
The Mazda CX 70 measures about two hundred one point six inches in length, which is the same as the larger CX 90. This makes it one of the longest two row midsize SUVs in its segment.
What exterior features are standard on the 2026 Mazda CX 70?
Standard exterior features include full LED headlights and tail lights, adaptive headlights, blacked out exterior accents for 2026, roof rails, and twenty one inch alloy wheels on all inline six models. Premium trims add power folding and auto dimming mirrors.
How much can the 2026 Mazda CX 70 tow?
All inline six versions of the 2026 Mazda CX 70 are rated to tow up to five thousand pounds, which is strong for a two row midsize SUV.
What interior features come standard on the 2026 Mazda CX 70?
Every CX 70 comes with leather seats, smart key entry, three zone automatic climate control, a large infotainment display, heated and ventilated front seats, and a full suite of safety features. Higher trims add Napa leather, a head up display, and a panoramic sunroof.
How much cargo space does the 2026 Mazda CX 70 offer?
With the rear seats up, the CX 70 offers around thirty nine cubic feet of cargo space. Folding the second row increases total capacity to roughly seventy five cubic feet, which is competitive for this class.
Is the 2026 Mazda CX 70 comfortable for rear seat passengers?
Yes, rear seat space matches the Mazda CX 90 with around thirty nine inches of legroom and headroom. Heated rear seats, rear sunshades, climate vents, and USB ports are standard on all trims for 2026.
Does the 2026 Mazda CX 70 support wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
Inline six models support wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The plug in hybrid versions for 2026 require a wired connection, even though the screen and software remain the same.
How quiet is the 2026 Mazda CX 70 on the road?
Cabin noise levels measured just over fifty seven decibels at thirty miles per hour, placing the CX 70 on the quieter end of the segment despite its large wheels and sporty suspension tuning.
Where is the 2026 Mazda CX 70 built?
The 2026 Mazda CX 70 is manufactured in Japan.
What warranty does the 2026 Mazda CX 70 include?
Mazda provides a three year or thirty six thousand mile basic warranty and a five year or sixty thousand mile powertrain warranty. Complimentary maintenance is not included.
