About that headline:
Mazda has added a new model---the CX-70---by taking an existing model---the CX-90---and subtracting the third-row seating and one inch of overall length.
That's literally it. And it has some folks in the automotive world scratching their heads.
Mazda has the traditional five-seat SUV space covered, or so it would seem, by the CX-50. If someone wanted a larger SUV like the CX-90, but only two rows of seating, why not just offer a third-row delete option?
There are no clues from Mazda as to the thought process. It is what it is and the CX-70....is.
There are five trim levels of CX-70 that are powered by a turbocharged 3.3-liter inline six-cylinder (Standard PT gets 280 horsepower, High PT gets 340). But there are two that are a plug-in hybrid, and our tester is the top tier of that, the PHEV Premium Plus.
It's a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder with 189 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque, but combined with the electric motor, the total output is 323 horsepower, 369 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel, with 26 miles of pure electric range per charge before the gasoline/electric hybrid kicks in. The EPA's estimate is 56 mpg equivalent, counting those pure electric miles. Not counting those, the combined city/highway average is 25 mpg.
It's quick---zero to 60 happens in 5.9 seconds, but when your foot is down, that four-cylinder is loud and more than a little coarse-sounding.
The CX-70 in all trims has Mazda's i-ACTIV all-wheel drive. There's an eight-speed automatic transmission, hill launch assist, selectable driving modes, and a 3,500 pound towing capacity.
With no third row of seats, the rear cargo area is cavernous---39.6 cubic feet. Fold that second row down and it's 75.3.
If you put people in that second row, they'll be comfy---with 39.4 inches of legroom.
The base price of the 2025 Mazda CX-70 PHEV Premium Plus is $57,450 ($58,825 including destination). Standard equipment, apart from what we've already discussed, includes 21-inch alloy wheels, a hands-free power liftgate, rain-sensing wipers, a windshield wiper de-icer, a panoramic moonroof, LED headlights with auto on/off and automatic high beams, aluminium roof rails, heated power mirrors with turn lamps, eight-way power driver's seat with lumbar and memory, an eight-way power passenger seat, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, Nappa leather-trimmed seats, a heated leather steering wheel with paddle shifters, a 12.3-inch center screen with navigation, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto, keyless entry, second-row sunshades, a 1500-watt AC power outlet, 360-degree view monitor with see-through view, a security system and a comprehensive suite of active safety features.
The only extra-cost option on our tester was the Melting Copper Metallic paint ($450), so the bottom line on the window sticker reads $59,275.
What puzzles me even more than the existence of the CX-70 is the pricing. $57,450 base for the CX-70 PHEV Premium Plus, remember?
The CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus is $57,950. Unless you're sure you'll never need to haul more than four other people (granddad thinking out loud here), I'd pay the extra $500 for the CX-90 and just leave that third row folded until it's time to take the brood for ice cream.
