Mazda recently refreshed the top models in its lineup and introduced two all-new models: the three-row CX-90 and the two-row CX-70. These SUVs are built for an American audience, which means they are for consumers who believe that bigger is better. Yet, these SUVs are not just bigger than any previous Mazda SUV, but also flashier and more luxury-adjacent than any previous Mazda model.
If you love the look and feel of a German luxury SUV, but can’t justify its exorbitant prices, the 2026 Mazda CX-70 may be exactly what you are looking for. The Mazda CX-70 provides an elegant aesthetic, premium cabin materials, and powerful engines, all available at a fraction of the price of a German equivalent. Let’s break down why the Mazda CX 70 needs to be on your shortlist if you want a luxury experience without luxury prices.
- Base Trim Engine
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3.3L Turbo SKYACTIV-G I6
- Base Trim Transmission
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8-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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All-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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280 HP @5000 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
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332 lb.-ft. @ 2000 RPM
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
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24/28/25 MPG
- Make
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Mazda
- Model
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CX-70
- Segment
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Midsize SUV
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Why The Mazda CX-70 Exists
Remember the fun “zoom-zoom” Mazda of the 2000s? Yeah, that brand identity is long gone. Nowadays, Mazda is aiming more for the appeal of understated elegance. The 2026 Mazda CX70 is one of its clearest examples of this ideological shift to a more upscale market.
The Mazda CX-70 Was Built To Be Premium
When Mazda designed the CX 70, it was well aware that American consumers were buying fewer cars now than ten years ago. Less volume means prices need to be higher to achieve margins. To justify these higher prices, automakers need to provide more features and more quality. This is why the Mazda CX-70 looks and feels like a luxury car, even if Mazda isn’t a true luxury brand. The CX-70 is finished with soft-touch surfaces and leatherette-trimmed seats, even in its most modest trim. If you were to compare the CX 70 head-to-head with a German SUV equivalent, you can clearly see the superior value of the Mazda SUV.
The Mazda CX-70 Values Substance Over A Badge
What are the things that luxury SUV owners value the most? First and foremost is appearances, because flexing your status and perceived wealth has never been more in fashion than right now. Then there is how the SUV actually feels to drive, which is still important, but not nearly as much as you may think. Then there is value. Is it really worth it to pay this price just to feel superior to my neighbors, you might ask? That’s a tough decision. While there is an undeniable prestige associated with a German badge, luxury-adjacent SUVs like the Mazda CX-70 are shifting the perception of value. If you prioritize substance over appearance, you are more than likely to find yourself in a Mazda CX-70 rather than a BMW X5.
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Key Details To Know About The Mazda CX-70
Powertrains, Prices, And Key Options
Let’s discuss the hard numbers that matter with the 2026 Mazda CX-70 and what current owners say about the CX 70 so far. One of the most important aspects of the Mazda CX-70 that makes it feel like a proper luxury SUV is its powertrain. Just like the SUV offerings from BMW and Mercedes, the CX-70 now comes exclusively with a 280-horsepower mild hybrid 3.3-liter turbocharged inline-six (340 horsepower in the “S” trims) mated to an eight-speed automatic. The CX-70 is driven by a rear-biased AWD system.
A plug-in hybrid model is also available with 323 horsepower and 32 miles of driving range. MSRP ranges from $42,250 for the Preferred model to $56,670 for the S Premium Plus. The PHEV model has a $44,250 starting MSRP. Even in its most expensive trim, the Mazda CX-70 undercuts the 375-horsepower 2026 BMW X5 xDrive40i, which starts at $70,600. The 483-horsepower PHEV X5 xDrive50e comes in at $76,000 with 38 miles of electric range. The BMW engines may offer more overall performance, but the Mazda’s inline-six is comparable in smoothness and character.
How Current Owners Have Received The CX-70
Out of all the complaints about the CX-70 and the CX-90, the most critical one is related to the lack of smoothness of the new eight-speed automatic transmission and the SUV’s stiff suspension. Depending on who you ask, you may get a different answer about the quirks of the transmission, but most agree that the suspension is on the stiff side for most mid-sized SUVs. The long-term reliability of both the engine and transmission is yet to be determined. Owners love its elegant exterior styling and interior quality, and the turbo inline-six’s performance in both standard and S trims is the clear star of the show. More often than not, it is confused with a luxury SUV. The CX-70’s two-row configuration makes for great rear seat comfort and an impressive cargo area. On road trips, the CX-70 excels and feels like a perfect vehicle for the occasion.
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The CX-70 Outvalues German Luxury SUVs
If getting the most for your dollar is a priority, but you still want a luxury SUV, then the Mazda CX-70 is a perfect fit. Compared to its German luxury SUV rivals, the Mazda CX-70 offers amazing value, but this alone doesn’t discredit the German allure entirely.
This Makes The Mazda CX-70 Worth It
Plain and simple, the 2026 Mazda CX-70 offers a luxury SUV experience without the fluff. Even in its most expensive 3.3 Turbo S Premium Plus model, it’s still a good $20,000 cheaper than a comparable BMW X5 xDrive40i, and it’s packaged with standard features. For example, the 3.3 Turbo S Premium Plus comes with heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats standard, which are fitted with quilted tan Nappa leather with suede accents.
If you want comparable seating in the BMW X5, you would need $4,400 of options. This includes the $750 multi-contour seats and the $1,700 Premium Package, which then unlocks the $1,950 Extended Merino leather upholstery. If you want front heated and ventilated seats and heated rear seats, you will need to add $2,000 for the Climate Comfort Package. Avoid the German upcharging structure altogether by opting for the Mazda CX 70 instead. Dollar-for-dollar, it’s a smarter buy than any of its German rivals.
Where German SUVs Still Prevail
Mazda’s upscale SUVs are capable, but restrained for the sake of price. A BMW X5 xDrive40i doesn’t care about keeping it affordable; if you want more features, BMW will be happy to sell you more. With a couple of niceties checked, an X5 xDrive40i is easily an $80,000 vehicle, and that’s the tip of the iceberg. The $76,000 BMW X5 xDrive50e provides a substantial 483 horsepower for $76,000 and 38 miles of electric range. If you prefer the howling sound of a twin-turbo V-8, the BMW X5 M60i will give you 525 horsepower on tap for a cool $93,600. If money is not an issue, then why not opt for the $131,000 617 horsepower BMW X5 M Competition, a supercar in the body of a mid-sized SUV? The Mazda CX-70’s undeniable value narrows the gap to German rivals, but lacks the raw capability offered by brands like BMW on the upper end of the price spectrum.
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What Else You Should Consider About The Mazda CX-70
Mazda CX-70 Cost-To-Own
Let’s take a closer look at the Mazda CX-70’s long-term costs and what other practical options to consider. MSRP is the starting point, but ownership costs are another story. If you have come from a luxury car previously, then filling up with the recommended 91 octane fuel won’t feel foreign. While the Mazda CX-70 does accept 87 octane, it reduces total output. If fuel costs are a concern, the PHEV CX-70’s prices have been slashed by about $10,000 since the 2025 model year. Insurance premiums are about $2,166 a year, which beats the national average for popular SUV models, according to CarEdge. Also, according to CarEdge, the average maintenance costs of a Mazda CX-70 in the first ten years are $8,199.
While the CX-70 will certainly cost more to maintain than Mazda’s smaller, inline-four-equipped SUV models, this cost is only slightly above the average compared to other popular mainstream SUV models. The BMW X5, comparatively, requires over double the maintenance cost in the same time frame, at $19,460. While the Mazda CX-70’s long-term reliability is yet to be discovered, it would be surprising if the cost of maintaining one came anywhere close to that of an equivalent BMW X5.
Where To Look Next
One of the Mazda CX-70’s most compelling rivals is its own sibling, the three-row 2026 Mazda CX-90. If you have kids, you are going to want the CX-90. Even if you only have two kids, what about your kids’ friends? These numbers start to add up. If you find yourself on weekend trails regularly and still want a three-row, you may consider a $50,395 2026 Honda Pilot TrailSport. Honda’s well-equipped off-roader provides additional capability at the sacrifice of some performance and fuel economy.
If you care even more about three-row fuel economy, then another clear alternative is the $46,180 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid XLE. It doesn’t look as nice on the inside or outside and offers less performance in exchange for 36 MPG combined with FWD models. If you need more performance, the $55,490 Grand Highlander Hybrid Max Limited ups the ante with 362 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque while still managing 27 MPG combined. You can’t go wrong with any of these options; it’s just a matter of what suits your practical needs best. We hope this guide helps you find your next dream SUV, and the CX-70 isn’t a bad choice.