2025 Mazda CX-70 Review: A Fridge Without a Freezer
I think the market needs more SUVs like the Mazda CX 70 plugin Hybrid. Well, at least in theory, because the concept behind this thing, it makes a good amount of sense considering the perception of EVs these days. It’s got room for a family of four, a decent amount of all electric range and a gas engine when it runs out. But like so many other vehicles out there, it comes down to the execution and that’s where the CX 70 struggles for more expert car reviews. Don’t forget to share our channel and subscribe so you can catch some of this and maybe even a little of that. Now, look, some of this stuff applies to the six cylinder version of the CX 70 as well as the CX 90. So if you’re in the market for either of those, this will still be relevant. And also a lot of this has been widely criticized, but this is part of my job. So let’s kick things off with maybe the worst culprit, and that is this infotainment system. And I know there are lots of people out there who like to defend Mazda’s decision not to use a touchscreen or at least limit touchscreen interactions to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. But it’s just not good. And it’s even worse here because unlike the CX 90, there is no touchscreen with Apple CarPlay Android Auto. I reached out to Mazda Canada, I was very confused, and yeah, this thing does not work at all. When you tap on it, you are forced to use this controller down here on the console. Now apparently next year there should be some changes. Maybe you get that bigger touchscreen that comes in the CX 90 as well as the six cylinder version of the CX 70. So you will have that touchscreen functionality. But right now, that is not the case. And once again, I know people like to defend this decision and say it’s about distracted driving. And listen, I am a big advocate for limiting how much you interact with anything. When you are behind the wheel, you should be focused on what’s going on on the road and not what’s happening down here. But there are plenty of moments where it’s justifiable. Let’s say you’re in a city, you’re unfamiliar with a tightly congested downtown core, and you need to zoom in a little bit on the map. Well, you cannot tell me that it is just as easy to use this controller as it would be to tap the touchscreen, tap this icon, zoom out, zoom in, whatever you gotta do, and on you go. Instead, you have to twist this dial, highlight the right icon, twist it again, click, twist, click. It is so annoying. And yes, it is very distracting. And since we’ve already talked about the CX 90, that’s probably the biggest obstacle in the way of this CX 70, at least in my eyes, because here’s the thing, they are physically and mechanically identical. There is no difference between them. And I just cannot wrap my head around the idea of buying a less versatile version of the same vehicle. It makes absolutely no sense to me because that thing has a third row of seats when you need it, but you can just stow it away when you don’t. I understand that not everyone needs a three row SUV, but it is handy. Let’s say a couple extra kids need a ride to soccer practice. I don’t know. You’re going to a wedding and another couple needs a ride or your in-laws are in town. There are lots of times when having an extra set of seats in the back will come in handy, and since everything about these is the same, otherwise I don’t understand why you wouldn’t just buy that thing instead. Quite honestly, it’s like buying a fridge without a freezer. I just don’t see the purpose of it. I’m not trying to go on the offensive here and attack this thing, but when you take a look at the dimensions, they’re the same. Now whether you’re talking about this thing or the CX 90, there’s a good amount of cargo space behind the second row seats. And yes, this thing does have that added bonus of a storage space under the floor that’s good for something like the charging cable. Then it really only exists to hide the mounting points for the third row seats you get in the CX 90. Now by the numbers, you’re looking at just over 1100 liters of space behind the second row seats, which themselves are nice and roomy. I also love how wide these rear doors swing open. So whether you’re climbing in and out or you’re helping little ones get in and outta their car seats, you will definitely appreciate this feature. But it’s important to note that all of that stuff also applies to the CX 90, which comes with that bonus set of seats in the back. And the other thing to consider, they even look the same. I’m telling you, these things are physically identical. Yeah, this one’s got some black accents that are meant to make it look sportier, but that’s about it. And personally, I don’t really like the styling all that much. I find it a little slab sided and boring, although I will say I like this shade of melting copper metallic paint. That’s only a $300 option and it’s only available on the CX 70. Now listen, I’m not some sort of CX 90 stand, but again, I’m just trying to make sense of it. And even by the numbers, there is a cheaper trim that you can get of the plugin hybrid that will save you something like four grand. So why would you spring for this instead of buying that thing when it’s more affordable? And even when you take a look at the same trims, there’s the GSL and this GT version that I’m driving CX 70, it’s only a thousand dollars cheaper for each of them than the same trims with the CX 90. Yeah, that’s not something you’re even gonna notice on a monthly payment whether you’re leasing or financing this thing. So those are some of the areas that I’m confused about, but something that I’m not is what Mazda was trying to do with this drivetrain. It’s a rear biased all wheel drive system, which I absolutely love. And even the engine, it’s inversely mounted this plugin hybrid that uses a four cylinder also inversely mounted, so it runs front to back instead of side to side like you’d usually see under the hood of an SUV like this one. And that just makes it more balanced. You really want to see that. And then what that rear biased all-wheel drive it sort of pushes you instead of pulls you. You’re still getting four wheel traction when you need it, but it rides and handles a lot more like something from Audi or BMW than your average mainstream SUV that I very much like. But this powertrain itself, I’m struggling to come to terms with. The biggest issue is the transition from gas to electric power. It is very noticeable, and sometimes it feels a little bit like the powertrain doesn’t know what it wants to do, so it goes to switch on. The gas engine changes its mind. So it’s very clunky and awkward in the transmission too. This is a long documented issue here and it is still problematic. Lots of very rough shifts, but something that isn’t a problem is just how punchy this setup is. You get something like 369 pound feet of torque and this thing gets up and goes pretty quickly when you want it to, but then that electric range not all that good. Now, I’ve seen about 50 kilometers with a fully charged battery, even though it’s only rated for 42. But if you take a look at something like the Toyota RAV4 plugin hybrid, that thing’s good for 64 kilometers and the new one that’s on its way is gonna be good for at least 80 and even the Mitsubishi Outlander plugin, that thing’s good for something like 61 kilometers. So this really struggles in considering how much bigger it is than both of those. I would’ve liked to see an even bigger battery pack and more range. That is a sticking point for me anyway. In terms of features, there’s all the stuff you would expect. Dual zone, automatic climate control, heated steering wheel and front seats, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an entire advanced safety suite that’s in the GSL as well as this gt, which also adds stuff like ventilated front seats, heated rear ones, a 12 speaker stereo. There are some good additions, but it’s like $4,600 more. That is a lot of extra cash. Yes, it’s also got leather interior, lots of niceties, but I’d start to struggle with that pricing if I were in the market for an SUV like this one. So you’re looking at about 65 and half grand for this GT before tax or 61,000 bucks for the GSL. I understand lots of SUVs are priced this way, but you could get yourself into something like the Jeep Grand Cherokee four by E for about the same amount of money, although it’s easy to push that one well into the $80,000 mark with some of the pricier packages. To recap, I like the premium on-road feel of the Mazda, the CX 70, as well as how spacious it is. I don’t like that it isn’t as practical as the dimensionally and mechanically identical CX 90, the frustrating infotainment interface and the imperfect powertrain. Look, I’m sure there are people out there who will be more than happy with a CX 70 instead of a CX 90 explicitly because of the number of seats inside. But I still think it’s a head scratcher. Now, if Mazda would’ve brought the slightly smaller CX 60 or CX 80 to this market, it would’ve made a lot more sense to me kinda like Honda did with the passport and the pilot. Instead, it seems like you’re paying about the same amount of money for a less practical version of Mazda’s biggest vehicle, and it’s one that still has its fair share of frustrating flaws.
On paper — or, y’know, a screen, since it’s 2025 and all — the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of Mazda’s CX-70 has all the makings of an outstanding SUV.
It’s big, has a rear-biased driveline, and offers a bit of all-electric range — even if it’s barely enough to cover the average one-way commute in Canada. But it’s execution that counts most and that’s where this five-seater comes up short, with an imperfect powertrain that’s prone to bouts of clunky behaviour, plus an interface that’s more frustrating than it needs to be. The other issue is the one sitting across the showroom, and it means the 2025 Mazda CX-70 PHEV isn’t as useful as it could be.
00:00 Usability
02:47 Practicality
05:06 Value
05:44 Powertrain
07:47 Features
09:06 The verdict
Read the full review here: https://www.autotrader.ca/editorial/20251105/2025-mazda-cx-70-phev-review-plus-video
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