Text by Tom Appel
2026 Mazda CX-70 3.3 Turbo S Premium Plus
Specs
Class: Midsize Crossover
Color: Polymetal Gray Metallic
Country of manufacture: Japan
Seating capacity: 5
Miles driven: 188
Real-world fuel economy: 23.8 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | A |
| Power and Performance | B+ |
| Fit and Finish | A |
| Fuel Economy | B+ |
| Value | B+ |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | A |
| Tall Guy | A |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 340-horsepower, 3.3-liter |
| Engine Type | Turbo inline six mild hybrid |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving mix: 60% city, 40% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 23/28/25 (city, highway, combined)
Fuel type: Premium
Base price: $56,670 (not including $1530 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Floor mats ($150), cargo organizer ($100), illuminated door sill plates ($390), special paint ($595), logo welcome light ($175), cargo cover ($215),
Price as tested: $59,825
Audio-System Brand
Audio-System Quality
Poor Fair Good Very-Good Excellent
Pros and Cons
The great: Well crafted, premium feel
The good: European road feel, quiet and comforted cabin
The not so good: Pricey in top trim levels
Review
While the rest of the mainstream automotive worlds migrates towards the utility of the 3-row crossover, Mazda has decided to support those defiantly rejecting the whole suburban “bring the team” mentality.
Seating for 5
While Mazda does offer the bandwagon CX-90 3-row crossover, it also offers the similar-size CX-70, a largish crossover very similar to the ’90, except that it comes only with two seating rows.
Having just reviewed the excellent Hyundai Palisade and Lexus TX, two vehicles dedicated to group comfort, it is refreshing to spend some time in the self-care environs of a midsize crossover than only seats 5 passengers.
Similar to the CX-90
New for the 2024 Model year, the CX-90 replaced the CX-9 at the top of the Mazda crossover lineup. Like the CX-9, the ’90 was a 7-8 passenger utility, but enjoyed fresh styling, a new inline 6-cylinder engine, and, rather surprisingly, default rear-wheel drive.
A year later Mazda rolled out the CX-70, a vehicle similar to the CX-90, save for more aggressive front-end styling, and the aforementioned absent 3rd-seating row. The CX-70 and CX-90 are so similar, in fact, that we seriously question why Mazda chose to treat them as separate models. That said, we’re not going to let a little marketing weirdness distract us from reviewing what is truly as excellent crossover, one with a decidedly European feel.
CX-7-0 Prices and Trim Levels
We should note that ’90 handily outsells the ’70 by a ratio of more than 4-to-1, so let’s not get too smug about this whole bucking-the-status-quo thing.
For 2026, the CX-70 is offered in 5 trim levels:
- Preferred ($43,780)
- Premium ($47,810)
- Premium Plus ($51,000)
- S Premium ($54,770)
- S Premium Plus ($58,200)
Because the CX-90 is also offered in a base “Select” trim level, that model actually start below the CX-70 in price by about $3500—this despite the missing seating row.
Note that the CX-70 (and CX-90) is offered as a plug-in hybrid. You can read our review of that vehicle here.
Engines
All non-plug-in hybrid CX-70s are powered by a turbocharged 3.3-liter inline 6-cylinder engine mated to 8-speed automatic transmission and fitted with standard AWD. While lower trim levels make do with a 280-horsepower version of the 6-cylinder engine, “S” models are treated to an extra 60 horses. Unfortunately, S-model engines require premium-grade gas.
Both engines are augmented by a 48-volt “mild-hybrid” system, which provides added power at launch, and requires on plugging-in.
Test Car
As noted earlier, the CX-70 was all new last year, so there are very few changes for 2026.
Consumer Guide recently spent a week behind the wheel of a 2026 CX-70 in topline S Premium Plus trim. All told, our Polymetal Gray Metallic test car listed for $59,825, including destination charge.
Cabin
Our loaded test car featured a classy, sort of casual/upscale black and tan cabin livery that felt very upscale. The Napa-leather trimmed seats are firm and supportive, and are stitched with careful detail. Door and dashtop materials are no less premium looking, as the whole cabin presents as that of a luxury-brand vehicle.
Controls
The infotainment screen is not especially large by contemporary standards, but is well placed atop the dashboard, and is easy to read even in strong light. System operations are again—as is Mazda’s way—by a rotary knob located on the console between the front-row seats.
Though some folks may balk at using a control knob to scroll through menu functions, we find the system handy and easy to use, requiring less eyes-off-the-road time than most touchscreen-style systems. Full disclosure, this author’s daughter recently purchased a Mazda CX-30, and finds the rotary-knob operation simple and easy to use.
Room and Comfort
There’s plenty of 4-adult space inside the CX-70, though no more than in the CX-90. Especially wide-opening rear doors make easy the task of getting into and out of the midsize Mazda. Accessing the front row is nearly as simple. And though we’ve repeated referred to the CX-70 as a 5-passenger vehicle, that 5th-person should probably be on the lighter/leaner side.
Power and Performance
Underway the smooth inline six delvers plenty of low-speed muscle for quick moves from a stop, and plenty of refined muscle for highway massing and merging activity. The engine also sounds great delivering that thrust.
Ride and Handling
Where the ’70 really shines compared to other mainstream-price midsize crossovers is handling. We think many BMW drivers would find this Mazda just as rewarding to driver as their X3 and X5 crossovers. We especially appreciate the steering feel. That said the brakes are firm and responsive, and the vehicle is easily hurried around corners. On ramps, too, are fun to traverse.
Fuel Economy
There’s really nothing here to dislike. Even our fuel economy—nearly 24 mpg—seems quite reasonable, are a bit better than a number of midsize crossovers we’re evaluated lately.
Value
If you’re prepared to say no to hauling around all your friends and family—a compulsion this author completely understands, we think this the CX-70 deserves a place on your test-drive short list. Note that for 2026 Consumer Guide named the CX-70 to its Best Buy list, which you can check out here.
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2026 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S Premium Plus Pictures
