News of the CX-70 didn't reveal much, aside from the fact that it would slot in betwen the CX-50 and the CX-90. Now that cover has dropped, we know a bit more and we're a bit surprised that the 2025 CX-70 is, well, a CX-90 with the third row removed. Yup, it's the same body, the same interior (sans two seats), and the same tech. While it won't have the dizzying trim levels from the CX-90, it will get a turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six engine with two power outputs, as well as a plug-in-hybrid version.
The big question is, why make a different model name using the same body? Well, the mindset behind it is... okay we really have no idea. Some details might provide some answers. While the formula is more or less the same, the CX-70 does get some changes to set it apart. The CX-70 gets black accents on the grille, mirrors, and door handles, as well as a unique wheel design.
That means the CX-70 looks meaner than its three-row sibling. The absence of the third row means buyers don't have big families, rather they might want sportiness, space, and menacing looks along with solid levels of cargo space. Luggage, gear, and the ability to haul stuff without having to fold down a third row might just be appealing.
Along the lines of more room, behind the second row is an underfloor storage system within the generous cargo that's estimated at 40 cubic feet behind the second row and 75 cubes with the power folding rear seats. Not enough to draw you to a two-row CX-90? you can also configure your CX-70 with bold red Nappa leather which is a nod to the 100th Anniversary Special Edition MX-5. They might be totally different types of vehicles, but every Mazda is rewarding to drive. That's the primary connection.
The CX-70 will get three powertrain options that include the silky turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six engine and 48-volt hybrid system in 280-horsepower and 340-horsepower iterations. The PHEV will get a 2.5-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor for a combined 323 horsepower. Every engine gets mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission that drives all four wheels (standard).
The cabin of the CX-70 is, unsurprisingly, the same as the CX-90. It gets the same full-color digital display and the landscape-oriented 12.3-inch infotainment display that uses the Command control knob and buttons located on the center console. There's standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and, for the first time for the brand, Amazon Alexa integration. New tech includes what's known as "Unresponsive Driver Support," which will bring the vehicle to a complete stop if the driver doesn't respond to warnings.
We don't have any further details, and pricing has not yet been disclosed. We're guessing the base will come slightly under the CX-90's, and the same applies for each trim level, which won't be as voluminous as the CX-90's rather dizzying eight trim levels. The CX-70 should start hitting showrooms this spring.
