Mazda earned a reputation during the past 40 years of providing a dash of mojo to its stash of affordable mainstream (read non-luxury) crossovers, sedans and two-door sports coupe delivering more pep in its step.
In a nutshell, most Mazda offers handling and cornering a notch above similar-sized and priced mainstream rivals. Now, Mazda delivers extended electrical opportunities with the all-new 2025 CX-70 crossover. This new five-door offers two 'electrified' propulsion options: a mild gas-electric hybrid and a fuel-extending Plug-In-Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV).
One selection rates as 'plug free' while our PHEV tester this week enjoys approximately 26 miles of pure-electric travel (once plugged in and charged up) thanks in part to a 68-kilowatt electric/traction motor and battery pack before the onboard gas engine kicks into action offering an additional 464 miles of gas-electric hybrid travel. A sizeable 18.5-gallon fuel tank helps extend mileage with recommended premium gasoline (although regular 87-octane is accepted). This two-row CX-70 reflects Mazda's second forays into the growing PHEV universe.
Mazda's CX-70 stands as one of larger mid-sized two-row crossover available from any automaker. In fact, dimensions mimic the three-row CX-90 crossover, Mazda's largest offering which itself debuted not long ago in the 2024 model year offering the company's first PHEV powerplant opportunity. Both build with the North American marketplace as primary target audience. The all-new CX-70 enjoys gobs of room (a massive 40 cubic feet) behind the second row providing optimal storage. Also onboard, an underfloor storage region for stashing even more stuff, this time out of sight.
In general, PHEVs offer a fitting compromise between a conventional gas-engine vehicle and new upstart Electric Vehicles (EVs). The PHEV generally costs less than a pure Electric Vehicle (although that gap continues closing) and offer an identifiable solution to 'range anxiety' a term coined in Electric Vehicle circles where reliable off-board charging stations/ports remain out of sight while the rechargeable on-board battery pack shows hunger pangs for fresh electrons. All PHEVs include a backup plan in the form of an internal combustion power source.
All CX-70s employ unibody constructions featured in most five-door crossovers instead of the heavier, body-on-frame design used in a majority of pickup trucks. In fact, all Mazda vehicles employ this structure contributing to a lightweight, agile fleet of vehicles.
Exterior wise, CX-70 PHEV as with the CX-90 share lots of curves but few sharp angles contributing to an athletic posture. The long, upstanding hood leads into a wide and low front facia bearing a sizeable elongated 'U" shaped front grille with black honeycomb filling and winged Mazda logo front and center. A short, narrow bridge connects the grille to single bulb light housing at each end, doubling as amber turn signal indicator/beams. Circular wheel wells include black cladding framing the wells on both CX-70 PHEV trims and continues along door bottoms and front/rear bumpers. Both CX-70 PHEV trims includes a power rear liftgate standard. The upscale Premium Plus adds black strap-like door openers and a similar hue surfacing side-view mirrors.
All Mazda vehicles sans the iconic two-door MX-5 Miata also feature i-Activ all-wheel drive employing sensors and data analytics monitoring 27 different parameters to meticulously distribute power between axles. These inputs help predict when to engage AWD before slippage occurs, automatically distributing torque between front and rear wheels. In dry conditions, rear wheel drive carries CX-70 forward. Active all-wheel drive (sometimes referred to as 'reactive' all-wheel drive, or slip-and-grip) improves fuel efficiency when compared to 'full-time' all-wheel drive motivating all wheels all the time.
A total of seven 2025 CX-70 trims are available. In addition to two PHEV trims (Premium and Premium Plus) Mazda offers five 'mild hybrid' (self-charging, no plug required) versions built upon a 3.3-liter turbo inline six-cylinder engine.
Mild hybrids differ from full hybrids in one important aspect. Mild hybrids act as an engine/torque booster with electric motor output not independently powering the wheels. A full hybrid (such as the original Toyota Prius) allows limited use of EV-only propulsion to power the wheels for short durations. Mild hybrids cost less than full hybrids to implement with lower mpg estimates.
Pricing for the non-plug-in CX-70 boasting the 3.3-liter turbocharged inline six engine, mild hybrid starts at $40,445. Our tester, a nicely equipped 2025 Premium Plus PHEV started at $57,450. The only extra; premium Rhodium White paint (contrasting nicely with the red nappa leather interior) added $595 for a bottom line of $59,420 with $1,455 destination charge. Pricing for the two CX-70 PHEV models similarly match the three-row CX-90's PHEV price points in 2025.
Premium Plus adds a few niceties not found in the PHEV Premium trim (starting at $54,400) including a windshield wiper deicer, automatic power folding sideview mirrors, auto-dimming driver side mirror, illuminated entry, heated steering wheel, second row retractable windshield shades and dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors.
Both CX-70 PHEV trims place the 68-kilowatt hour electric motor between a 2.5-liter, inline four-cylinder, 189 horsepower gas engine (which Mazda markets at e-Skyactiv) and conventional eight-speed automatic transmission. Combined horsepower reaches 323 and 369 pound-feet of torque. The longitudinal rather than transverse engine layout helps balance the vehicle and enhance handling aided by the rear-wheel drive default on dry surfaces.
Inside, the comfortable, very roomy interior boasts a red and black theme with brushed aluminum accents. This interior easily qualifies as 'entry luxury' with soft-touch materials and ambiance. The dashboard's upper front includes thick red padding towards the top where a flat, multi-function screen tucks behind. Side-by-side vertically-arranged refrigerator-door-style hinged openings top the arm/rest storage bin between front bucket seats. Towards the front, the conventional eight-speed automatic transmission shifter's stout grab handle includes 'Park' placement to the far left. Accessing reverse, neutral and drive required a move to the right and then down. Dual inline beverage holders to the right don a cover when not in use. Also in the area, a forward/rearward toggle bar for selecting four drive modes: sport, towing, off road and EV.
The circular, push-button electronic start/stop button resides high enough on the dash away from interference from the manual tilt-and-telescope three-spoke steering wheel and anchors the far left side of the red cushion padding. The sizable all-digital instrument panel includes indications when the 'EV' or electric motor powers the vehicle.
Large side doors swing out extra wide easing entry (and use of child seats) into row two. Three adults can spend quality time in row two. The all-new 2025 CX-70 in effect mimics the 2024/2025 CX-90 with its third row removed. Look closely within CX-70's humongous cargo region and locate cup holders built into outer wall framing welcoming aboard non-existent third row passengers; Ghost cup holders of sorts.
The CX-70 represents the first Mazda with 'Alexa Built-in' standard allowing drivers to make hands-free voice command prompts such as changing the interior temperature or radio station frequency in an attempt to reduce distracted driving.
For those opting to interface with the flat, 12.3-inch center screen finger/hand style, 'Mazda Connect' returns with a multi-purpose dial between front buckets and a second, smaller (yet appreciated) twist stalk for volume, on-off commands. The larger dial surrounds by for quick-hit push buttons summoning home, map, audio and back space. Expect a short learning curve to master nuances. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Smartphone interactivity comes standard. A nice perk, a flat, wireless Smartphone charging pad comes standard in all CX-70 trims.
Summoning HVAC controls does not involve screen interaction, but a separate finger-activated location above the lower central wireless charging inlet with two narrow long rows of activity. The top tier includes a pair of dual-zone up/down push tabs for selecting temperature bookending a digital information window. The bottom rung includes 15 push buttons monitoring everything from heated seats to rear/front defroster and fan mode direction.
Adding charged electrons from a home-bound alternating current (A/C) outlet first involves flipping open a circular door on the passenger's side rear fender. Utiliizng a 'Level One' 120-volt common household A/C outlet, expect a six-hour and forty-minute time horizon to completely energize the 17.8-kilowatt hour, 392-pound, 355-volt lithium-ion battery back from a spent stage and generate 26 miles of pure-electric travel. All PHEVs including the CX-70 include a long, snakelike electric cord/plug with a J1772 head (or J Plug) connecting to the car's plug port with a three-prong grounded plug at the other end slipping easily into a 120-volt common wall A/C socket.
Invest in a higher voltage 'Level Two' 240-volt A/C EVSE wall unit, (the EVSE represents Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) and charge time reduces significantly to approximately one hour and thirty minutes. A 7.2-kilowatt hour on-board charging module converts the A/C current from the household outlet to D/C current stored withing the high voltage 355-volt D/C battery pack.
As with most PHEVs, D/C fast charging is not an option. This process overrides the vehicle's on-board charging module, sending D/C direct current into the 17.8-kilowatt hour D/C lithium-ion battery pack. Pure EVs with their larger battery capacity and 300 miles (or more) of pure EV travel benefit from D/C fast chargers especially when far from home, commercially located along interstates and select Wal-Mart parking lots.
Full disclosure. The big bad bank and myself are co-owners of a 2017 second-generation Chevrolet Volt PHEV (although GM discontinued this fine piece of underappreciated machinery after the 2019 model year). During time with the Volt, the 'Level One' plug/option proved more than adequate at delivering enough charged electrons during evening/overnight time frames. 'Level One' and its 120 voltage/15 amps provides about four miles of electric travel per hour. Investing in a 240-volt off-board EVSE wall unit is probably not needed for the CX-70 PHEV. However, pure-electric EVs with larger battery packs/capacity benefit greatly from the faster charging times an at-home 'Level Two', 240-volt wall unit provides.
Costs associated with a 'Level Two' 240-volt wall unit also come into play. The unit itself costs between $350 and $900 depending upon the amperage selected while labor rates vary widely depending upon several factors including the home's circuit breaker box location. The closer the circuit breaker is to the garage the lower the cost. Generally, factor between $400 and $1,700 for a certified electrician's handywork. In February of 2024, Com Ed announced a $5 million EV Charger and Installation Program awarding up to $3,750 per household to offset costs to implement at-home 'Level Two' wall units. More information is at ComEd.com/clean.
The two PHEV trims differ from the five featuring Mazda's self-charging 'M Hybrid Boost' (otherwise known as a mild hybrid). Mazda's M Hybrid Boost includes a small 48-volt D/C battery pack, D/C to A/C inverter and step-down D/C to D/C converter. This system assists the internal combustion engine with a small electric motor to increase engine torque and take advantage of mileage-extending regenerative braking.
Regenerative braking (available in mild hybrids, full hybrids, PHEVs and EVs) captures and repurposes kinetic energy created by the braking process and stores that energy back into the battery pack.
The CX-70 PHEV arrives with two regenerative braking levels, 'normal' and 'high' accessible via the multi-function screen under the home menu's 'settings' category. High provides more resistance and additional kinetic energy storage, leading to quicker slowing once the right foot leaves the accelerator pedal.
2025 Mazda CX-70
Price as tested: $59,500
Engine: 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine
Battery Pack: 17.8-kilowatt hour
Electric motor power: 68 kilowatts/173 horsepower
Combined Horsepower: 323
Wheelbase: 122.8 inches
Overall Length: 201.6 inches
Overall Width: 77.6 inches
Overall Height: 68.2 inches
Curb Weight: 5,198 pounds
Hybrid Fuel Economy: 25 mpg city/highway combined
Battery warranty: Nine years/100,000 miles
Assembly: Hofa, Japan
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