2025 Mazda CX-70 Launches With Two Rows, Standard I6 Muscle, Optional Plug-In Hybrid I4

Mazda North America chief executive officer Tom Donnelly made it clear that it's based on an existing nameplate, yet stopped short of confirming the death of the internal combustion-engined CX-5 in the US market in favor of the locally-produced CX-50. Given how much overlap there is between the front-biased crossovers, an electric version of the Mazda CX-5 seems like the most probable scenario.

Turning our attention back to the CX-70, it should be noted that pricing isn't available at the moment of reporting. Even so, we guesstimate a lower starting price than its three-row sibling. The CX-90 currently starts at $39,595 for the I6 turbo with mild-hybrid assistance, whereas the free-breathing I4 plug-in hybrid carries an MSRP of $49,945.

This, in turn, means that Mazda's new sport utility vehicle undercuts the front-biased 2024 Honda Passport. Obviously twinned with the Pilot, the Passport retails at $41,900 (excluding the destination charge). Similar to the Passport, the Mazda CX-70 comes standard with all-wheel drive and a torque-converter automatic transmission.

Mirroring the CX-90's wheelbase (make that 122.8 inches or 3,119 millimeters), the CX-70 can tow up to 5,000 pounds (2,268 kilograms) when equipped with the optional tow hitch. According to Mazda, said tow hitch is a dealer- or port-installed option. The Genuine Mazda Accessory Tow Hitch also unlocks Trailer Hitch View and Towing Mode.

The first series-production Mazda to feature Amazon Alexa integration, the CX-70 further sweetens the deal with something called Unresponsive Driver Support. As implied, the mid-size utility vehicle automatically decelerates and comes to a stop if the driver doesn't respond to escalating alerts and prompts. Gifted with a black mesh front grille rather than the CX-90's look-at-me brightwork, the CX-70 also sports dark-finished roof rails, exterior door handles, and mirror caps.

Available with wheels as large as 21 inches, the CX-70 is further differentiated from the CX-90 by means of a sportier front bumper and rear bumper. When it comes to interior appointments, the available red leather upholstery with black accent striping is pretty sweet. Otherwise, Mazda equips the CX-70 with a black interior and red stitching.

The center console boasts a carbon fiber-like motif, whereas the cargo area hides an underfloor storage area. Under this compartment, you'll find a temporary spare that shouldn't be installed on either rear hub due to potentially squirrely handling. After all, remember that the Mazda Large Product Architecture of the CX-70 is designed to send most of the available engine torque to the rear wheels.

When it comes to the suck-squeeze-bang-blow department, Mazda has yet to finalize the CX-70's output figures. But nevertheless, everyone and their dog knows that we're getting the inline-six turbo in two states of tune and the plug-in hybrid in one. The 3.3-liter I6 turbo mild-hybrid setup develops either 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet (450 Nm) or 340 horsepower and 369 pound-feet (500 Nm). The plug-in hybrid may be built around a 2.5-liter I4 of the free-breathing mill, but this powertrain's combined output is nothing to scoff at.

Mazda quotes 323 horsepower and 369 pound-feet (500 Nm), whereas the electric motor is rated at 90 horsepower and 49 pound-feet (66 Nm). The 17.8-kWh high-voltage battery pack enables an electric driving range of 26 miles (42 kilometers) in the CX-90 PHEV, meaning that the CX-70 PHEV should do marginally better in the EPA's test cycle.