Luxury cars are typically niche and low-volume sellers, with margins decreasing with each year that passes. Cars that operate in this segment often make for poor investments, with some of the worst depreciation rates in the market. A major reason is their substandard long-term reliability. You may find yourself spending large sums to keep them on the road after the warranty has expired, ultimately making them undesirable purchases.
- Base Trim Engine
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3.3L Turbo SKYACTIV-G I6
- Base Trim Transmission
-
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
The 2026 Mazda CX-70 is easily one of the most underrated and overlooked SUVs that seamlessly fits into the luxury segment without paying high premiums. The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC now starts at $49,550 before options. The most expensive CX-70 that you can buy right now will cost $56,670, making it an appealing value proposition.
Mazda’s Attempt At Affordable Luxury
The 2026 Mazda CX-70 is the Japanese brand’s flagship two-row midsize SUV, which is built on a premium architecture. If you want to increase space to a third row, you can opt for the mechanically identical CX-90. The CX-70 is an SUV for affluent and lifestyle-oriented buyers who prioritize performance and luxury craftsmanship.
You can have this SUV with the brand’s turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six or a plug-in hybrid. Despite being such a highly praised and well-rounded SUV, the CX-70 isn’t the biggest seller. 2025’s market results indicate that Mazda sold just 13,833 units throughout the entire year. January 2026 continues this downward trend, with Mazda confirming a meager 672 units.
The CX-70’s Curated Production Process
Mazda centers the CX-70’s design around its Kodo Soul of Motion philosophy. This concept combines static objects with the dynamic energy of living beings through sculpted and light-catching curves. The Japanese brand’s flagship SUV adopts this via a sophisticated and minimalist interior setting designed with European luxury in mind. Its designers achieve this by applying authentic materials with striking accents and elements, including a stitching technique inspired by traditional Japanese bookbinding.
Surrounding the steering wheel, Mazda emphasizes a driver-centric Jinba-Ittai philosophy that honors the horse and rider as one being. The driver’s layout does away with cluttered screens, as the CX-70’s dashboard goes for a neater atmosphere focused on tactile and aesthetic experiences.
Mazda produces the CX-70 at the Hofu Plant in Japan’s Yamaguchi Prefecture. This is a facility that has become renowned for its efficient production capabilities and represents a hallmark of its Monotsukuri innovation manufacturing approach. This consists of a traverse dolly line with a rootless system where vehicles move on independent, level pallets rather than traditional fixed conveyor belts.
2026 Mazda CX-70 Interior And Exterior Picture Gallery
For 2026, the CX-70 has been updated with refined design, premium interiors, advanced tech, three electrified powertrains, and enhanced performance.
No Feature Spared In The Cabin
The 2026 Mazda CX-70 is available in seven distinct configurations across all three of its powertrain options, namely the standard 3.3 Turbo, the high-output 3.3 Turbo S, and the PHEV. For the 2026 model year, Mazda has significantly bolstered the value proposition of the entry-level trims, making high-end amenities like ventilated seats and a heated steering wheel standard earlier in the lineup than in previous years.
The 3.3 Turbo Preferred serves as one of the most sophisticated base models that you can find in the new SUV market, priced at $42,250. This comes standard with Black or Griege leather upholstery for the seating, steering wheel, and shift knob. You also get ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel as standard. The dashboard hosts a 12.3-inch Mazda Connect center display with touch functionality for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, and an eight-speaker audio system.
The $46,280 Turbo Premium adds a 12.3-inch fully digital driver’s display, a Bose 12-speaker premium audio system, and a windshield-projected Active Driving Display. The Turbo Premium Plus elevates luxury even further for $49,570, adding Black or Red Nappa leather upholstery, a power panoramic sunroof, and a 360-degree view monitor.
High-Output Models Turn The Passion Up
Mazda offers the Turbo S models in two trims that align with the aforementioned variants with performance-inspired touches and more refined aesthetics. The $35,240 3.3 Turbo S Premium adds a driver personalization system, which uses facial recognition to automatically adjust the seat, mirrors, and steering wheel to the driver’s saved profile. The flagship $56,670 3.3 Turbo S Premium Plus represents the best of Mazda’s luxury-rivaling efforts, adding exclusive tan-quilted Nappa leather with suede-like accents on the dashboard and a distinctive two-tone leather-wrapped steering wheel. This trim also includes a windshield wiper de-icer and front and rear illuminated footwells.
The plug-in hybrid models offer a distinct set of features geared toward tech-forward buyers. The PHEV SC, priced at $44,250, includes leatherette upholstery in black, while adopting all the features found in the Preffered trim. The PHEV SC Plus upgrades the interior to genuine leather seating upholstery and adds the comfort suite found in the Turbo Preferred, including ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. It also includes the panoramic sunroof and the Active Driving Display, increasing the MSRP to $47,250. Mazda applies a $1,530 destination fee to all CX-70 models.
Hot Take: You Know, The Mazda CX-70 Is Quite The Looker
The Mazda CX-70, the CX-90’s little brother, puts the emphasis on design and refinement. It truly feels like a premium product.
Three Engines Suited To Varying Needs
The 2026 Mazda CX-70 offers three rear-biased longitudinal drivetrain options paired with a standard eight-speed automatic transmission and i-Activ all-wheel drive. The entry-level 3.3 Turbo straight-six produces 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, resulting in a 0 to 60 MPH acceleration time of 7.3 seconds and a top speed of 127 MPH.
The hybrid engine provided plenty of power to get the CX-70 moving. It accelerated strongly from a complete stop and still delivered plenty of passing power on the highway.
– Nicole Wakelin, TopSpeed Journalist
Stepping up to the high-output 3.3 Turbo S variant boosts power to 340 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, cutting the 0 to 60 MPH sprint to 6.5 seconds, while increasing the top speed to 130 MPH. The PHEV powertrain combines a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 189 horsepower, with a 173-horsepower electric motor, resulting in a combined output of 323 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This delivers a 0 to 60 MPH acceleration time in as quick as 5.9 seconds with a 114 MPH top speed limit.
Fuel Consumption Performance Could Be Better
Opting for the entry-level turbocharged variant yields an EPA-estimated fuel consumption of 24/28/25 on the city/highway/combined cycle. Upgrading to the Turbo S only changes the city consumption to 23 MPG. With an 18.5-gallon fuel tank for the Turbo and 19.6-gallon tank for the Turbo S, range estimates come in at 462 miles for both engines.
The EPA indicates that the base Turbo will have you spending $1,000 more on fuel compared to the average new vehicle sold in the U.S., together with a $1,700 annual fuel cost and $2.81 cost to drive 25 miles. The Turbo S model will cost you $3,750 more in fuel over five years, $2,250 in fuel for the year, and $3.76 to drive 25 miles, with a $70 estimate to fill the tank.
The CX-70 PHEV is the model to go for if fuel savings are a priority. This earns an estimated 56 MPGe combined rating from the EPA, together with an all-electric range of 26 miles, transitioning to 25 MPG combined once the battery is depleted. This model features an 18.4-gallon tank and a total gas-electric range of 490 miles. You’ll still spend $1,250 more on fuel over five years and $1,750 on gas and electricity over a year. Also expect to spend $2.23 to charge the battery, $3.76 to drive 25 miles on gasoline, and $69 to fill the tank up.
This Japanese SUV Is A Versatile Inline-Six Turbo Worth Buying In 2025
With a low starting price, good choice of trims, and a potent turbo inline-six, this useful Japanese SUV is well worth checking out this year
Welcoming Consumer And Review Reception
According to J.D. Power, the 2026 Mazda CX-70 holds a consumer-verified overall score of 77/100, which includes 83/100 for the driving experience, 82/100 for resale, and 82/100 for the dealership experience. Interestingly, it only earns 69/100 for quality and reliability. The model holds an outstanding 4.6/5 average rating on the Edmunds consumer review portal, with reliability and manufacturing quality, ride quality, and value being its strongest suit.
Exceptional Value Retention Rates
According to iSeeCars, the 2026 Mazda CX-70 certainly holds value better than any Mercedes-Benz SUV you could buy today, despite its lack of market popularity. The publication indicates that you can expect this model to lose $18,180 or 43 percent of its value after five years of ownership, which is slightly better than the segment average of 46.3 percent.
CarEdge indicates that you can expect to spend $50,314 on the CX-70 over the same period, which includes accounting for $19,433 worth of depreciation. You’re also likely to spend $9,240 on fuel and $2,649 on maintenance.
Sources: The EPA, Edmunds, J.D. Power, iSeeCars, and CarEdge