To show your Mazda cred, order up the red Nappa leather which pays tribute to the 100th Anniversary Special Edition MX-5. The CX-70 may take up more room in a parking space than a Miata, but Mazda wants you to know they're related. Speaking of more room, move from the front to the second row and you'll find reclining seats and plenty of head- and legroom, even with the panoramic sunroof. Behind the second row is a hidden underfloor storage box and a vast cargo area. Mazda didn't offer numbers, but based on the CX-90, the CX-70 should provide 40 cubic feet behind the second row and 75 cubic feet when those seats are folded—something they'll do with a push of a button just inside the cargo hatch.
Under the hood will be one of three different powertrain options that mirror those found in the CX-90. The CX-70 will get the turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six engine and 48-volt hybrid system in both 280-hp and 340-hp ratings, as well as a plug-in hybrid using a 2.5-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor to produce a combined 323 horsepower. All three are backed by an eight-speed automatic transmission and come only with all-wheel drive.
Inside, the CX-70 seems to use the same full-color digital dash and 12.3-inch infotainment display as the CX-90. Concerns about reaching the screen are moot, as it's controlled not by touchscreen but by convenient buttons and a rotary knob on the center console. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both compatible, and for the first time, Mazda offers Amazon Alexa integration. Another new software addition is "Unresponsive Driver Support," which will bring the vehicle to a halt if the driver ignores warning alerts.
Reps from Mazda said that customers found the CX-90's massive range of trim levels confusing, so we're not expecting to see eight different trims for CX-70. More likely Mazda will offer five or so of the upper level trims with a corresponding higher starting price. The CX-70 should be on sale in spring 2024, for those who don't just want to fold the third row in a CX-90.
