2025 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S AWD - Bottom Line Review

ONE SIZE FITS MORE THAN ALL: Competing with the Goldilocks' fairy tale principle that one size does not fit all, is automaker Mazda's message that one size, reconfigured, can fit more than all.

The Japanese Zoom Zoom brand launched its flagship CX-90 crossover utility vehicle, suited to the upwardly mobile growing active lifestyle family. The new three-row SUV embodied elements of an MX-5 Miata roadster Jinba Ittai sensation, infused with Wabi-Sabi + Shizen + Kodo + Kaizen.

By contrast, empty nesters have little use for a third row, thus their conventional solution is downsizing. The 2024 Mazda CX-70, in ripping the third row out of the CX-90, instead suggests that active young grandparents shouldn't be penalized in maximum road travel space.

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WHAT: 2025 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S Premium Plus AWD two row, full size family crossover sports activity vehicle. Built on a new Skyactiv Multi Solutions Scalable Archicture Large Product Group, it represents a style and dimension twin of the three row CX-90 SUV.

2024 Mazda CX-90 Turbo S AWD - Bottom Line Review

DECADENCE ELUDES NATURE : In the world of esoteric design achieving a state of refinement implies pulling out all stops in delivering decadence. Yet what typically remains elusive is striking a balance between posh for the sake of posh with a sensation of natural being. In recent years automaker Mazda incorporated

RoadBlazingGeorge Straton

Powertrain: e-Skyactiv G^TM longitudinal variable nozzle turbocharged 3.3L DOHC 24V direct injection petrol I-6 engine

• STANDARD TUNE = Net 280 hp/ 332 lb-ft @ 2000 r.p.m.
• OPTIONAL "S" TUNE ^{(on tested vehicle)} = Net 340 hp/ 369 lb-ft @ 2000 r.p.m
• + M Hybrid Boost^TM 44V electric motor: 16.6 hp (12.4 kW), located between engine and transmission.^{(both powertrain tunes)}
  • Operates in tandem with i-Stop^TM , shutting engine during vehicle coasting loads.

Drivetrain: 8-spd. wet clutch planetary automatic transmission + center multi-plate wet clutch differential, torque vectoring all-wheel drive.

• Mi-Drive^TM modes x 4: Comfort, Sport, Off-road, Towing

WHAT (A) STYLING DIFFERENCE: A shorter, but similar longitudinal powertrain PHEV CX-60 two-row crossover is offered in overseas markets lacking the Alabama assembled CX-50. To obtain an American tastes, large two-row ute, Mazda, in a surprise move, cloned a new for 2024 CX-90 sans third cabin row, then reducing the numerical designation by twenty.

Thus, the 2025 Mazda CX-70 persists as a wide, low slung flagship SUV, amplifying the long axle to dashboard ratio. The familiar double kinked, diamond pavilion grille sprouts arms at the girdle to support the staggered angel eyes headlights. The high beltline relative to sharply declining roof, and a subtle concave cheatline. The double beveled wheel arches and body are industrial cladding with only contrast accented slim lower spats to impart sophistication. The upper liftgate is an fully inflated Kammback, accented by wide wrap around inboard lateral lollipop taillamps, with the dainty Mazda MX-5 roadster style amber directionals. It all descends, with concavity, to the muscular bumper cover.

CX-70 Exterior Differences from CX-90:

• Gloss black grille frame and convex honeycomb insert replace chrome frame and concave chain-link insert
• Honeycomb imprint, charcoal finished wider front lower corner folds inserts replace vertical fangs
• Body color replaces mirror chrome accented lower front valance
• Graphite honeycomb imprint finish replaces mirror chrome "INLINE 6" faux fender vent
• Anodized black finish replaces mirror finished chrome side skirt accents
• Anodized black replaces satin metallic roof rails
• Graphite honeycomb imprinted split wide accents replace rear bumper cover corner mirror chrome + black accented lateral oars
• Graphite lower bumper cover center diffuser replaces mirror chrome + black accenting
• Alternating Y, straight contrast black spokes replace offset Y contrast black spoke wheels

WHY: Full size Zoom Zoom UV configured for active lifestyle empty nesters.

WHEN: On-Sale (in the U.S.) since Spring 2024

WHERE: Mazda new vehicle dealers

WHERE MADE: Hiroshima, Japan

WHERE TO: center viscous multi-clutch differential all-wheel drive varies front:rear traction from 10:90% to 50:50%.

• Available Off-road Mi-Drive mode uses ABS low traction wheel slippage lock-out for climbing, while Hill Descent Assist uses ABS to slow things down on the decline. √ Surround camera view helpful in light trail maneuvers.

HOW ROADWORTHY: Once past the tinny high strung idle and an undisciplined to lock transmission wet clutch at low speeds, the extra turbo potency inline six engine non-chalantly whisks the 2025 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S to highway passing speeds. The creamy baritone note associated with Roundel straight sixes is afflicted with laryngitis here. If the CX-70 Turbo S feels like it is lugging at low throttle loads, that is the obtrusive 44V battery electric M Hybrid Boost^TM and i-Stop^TM working to create the impressively low fuel consumption numbers.

When set to Mi-Drive sport mode, the in-house developed 8-speed automatic holds onto gears sufficiently long to nearly render the "S" trim's steering wheel shift paddles moot. At cruising velocities, this wet clutch 7-speed normally settles on the appropriate ratio, though gear swaps are numbed rather than crisp. Kick down won't satisfyingly throttle blip the that way that the Mazda six-speed torque converter automatics do.

• -1 Funky joystick type center console transmission drive position lever

Excising that third seating row in the 2025 CX-70 barely lops off barely 30 pounds. Moving the drivetrain mass aft of the front axle allows the double wishbone front end to better deflect impact energy while maintaining an advantageous contact patch in transitions. The result is respectable low-lean turn in for the segment, with damped thumps without rippling, administered through a communicative heft helm.

Kinematic posture control, from the Mazda MX-5 roadster, applies rear outside brakes to reduce rotational understeer. Along with G-Vectoring engine power reduction the CX-70 Turbo S can be braked later and flatter in turns, following the line with less driver effort, fulfilling Mazda's "Jinba Ittai" rider in unison with steed credo.

HOW FAR: 27 combined miles per gallon. 549 miles highway range using 93 RON unleaded gasoline.

HOW BIG/ LITTLE:  Filling a CX-90 with seven occupants implied that only two could stack duffel bags after the third row. By contrast, five occupants aboard the CX-70 can stuff a week's luggage each and some camping gear under the liftgate. Wide 2nd Row doors open to an inviting nearly 90^o arc.

HOW USEFUL: √ 60:40% split sliding, reclining, flat folding 2nd Row seating; √ Cargo bay left wall remote 2nd Row seat back fold releases; √ Sub cargo floor storage; √ Cargo bay AC power; √ Proximity activating, adjustable height power liftgate.

PARTICULARLY USEFUL: +1 Clamshell aperture front and 2nd Row center armrest storage bins

• -1 Not So Useful: Blind spots from shorter backlight + tall beltline

HOW SAFE: √ 9 airbags; √ IIHS - 2024 Top Safety Pick Plus; √ Rear camera, fixed park grid lines; √ Blind Spot warning;  √ Rear cross traffic alert;

• i-Activesense Level 1.5 driver autonomy: Full Adaptive cruise control, stop & go; Full, Forward collision warning; Lane departure warning, road departure prevention; Smart City braking for Pedestrian & Bicycle, √ Auto high beam headlamps; √ Rain sensing, windshield wipers;
  • included w/ Turbo S Premium Plus trim: √ Cruising & Traffic Support ^{(lane / vehicle trace < 40 mph)} ; √ Surround camera + dynamic grid lines; √ Smart rear cross traffic & pedestrian braking; Emergency Lane Keeping √ Blind Spot Assist braking; √ Front + rear sonar park warning; √ Traffic sign recognition (Instrument cluster + HUD = Speed limits, stop signs, school zone); √ HUD - 10 x 3" inches

HOW PEOPLE FRIENDLY:   Premium Plus is Mazda speak for bespoke cabin appointments. Rich materials rivaling luxury brands and precision produced switchgear are exquisite. Fortunately the minimalism in controls and finish beyond reproach can be found in lesser trims. +1 First row bucket seats deserve the recommendation of orthopedists. Plush microsuede panels are downright decadent.

√ Nappa leather seating (quilted Rows 1, 2), heated + ventilated Rows 1 + 2; √ 8-way driver / 8-way power seats w/ 2 driver memory settings; √ Driver seating position optimization (using driver attention sensors); √ Two-tone, power tilt/ telescoping heated leather steering wheel with spoke integrated tactile redundant controls; √ 12.3"-inch TFT virtual gauge cluster; √ Power folding side mirrors.

• -1 Driver's seat to pedals offset

Cool Gizmo(s): √ 12.3" inch Variable color drive mode influenced TFT gauge cluster; √ Color Heads-Up Display includes lane array, traffic signage; √ Precision-machined center console Command infotainment dial-joystick w/ dedicated function switches; √ Illuminated front grille borders

Details Done Right: √ Sueded dashboard accents, w/ Kumihimo bookbinder hanging stitching; √ Genuine ash wood veneers span door panels, dash & center console; √ Center console tunnel padded in seat color matching synthetic hides; √ Machined aluminum climate control dials; √ Precision cut, tactile intuitive switchgear; √ Cabin 1st and 2nd row footwell and door accent lighting.

Nearly Non-Descript: -1 cargo bay walls lack fabric covering typical of luxury segment; Dark Ash wood trim looks fake; Doors close tinny; Power windows noisy.

HOW CONNECTED: √ Mid dash shelf 12.3" landscape capacitive touch LCD infotainment pod screen w/ remote Command rotary toggle dial; √ Native HDD GPS voice command / guidance Navigation; √ Voice command hands-free communications;  √ SMS with stored contacts photos; √ USB-C x 4, 110 x 1 VAC oulet (cargo bay), 12V x 2 (including cargo area); √ Qi^TM inductive wireless device charging tray.

Audibly Speaking: √ 555 W, 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint 2.0 premium audio = punchy without boominess

HOW "APP" -LICABLE: √ Wireless Android Auto + Apple CarPlay projection; √ Touch controls for Android Auto / Apple CarPlay projection; √ Amazon Alexa assistant queries; √ Mazda Connected apps

By Subscription: √ Sirius XM satellite radio (90 day trial); √ Mazda Connected Remote (3 year trial)

• + Mazda Connect menus don't overwhelm and flow logically with useful images
• + voice responsive Amazon Alexa assistant betters Sirius TravelLink it replaces
• -1 Media screen brightness and contrast too dim; Connection issues with wireless Android Auto kept disengaging projection; Wireless charging tray makes phone excessively hot, frequently shutting phone down.

HOW MUCH: $57,775 = 2025 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S Premium Plus AWD price as tested

WHAT'S MISSING: Sportier transmission profile; Less clomp in a slog; Better seat back cushion.

ANY COMPETITION: Genesis GV80 2.5T: +1 impeccable interior, hushed ride