2025 Mazda CX-70 Premium Plus Plug-In: The Brand’s All-New Upscale Five Seater Crossover

 

Highlight: This is one of a handful of two-row crossovers/SUVs available with a plug-in.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $59,275 (Base Model): $55,855

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; AWD; hill decent control; hill launch accent; off-road traction assist; tailer stability control; rearview camera; rear cross traffic alert; lane keep assist system; a lane departure warning system; a blind spot monitor; and an automatic brake hold feature

Standard Equipment (Select AWD): 19-inch wheels; an 8-speed automatic transmission; a three-zone ventilation system; a leather wrapped gear selector; an illuminated entry system; a push button information system; a power driver’s seat with lumbar support; leather-like seating; and a 10-inch infotainment system

Standard Equipment Test Model (Premium Plus): standard Level one cable to plug-in to home outlet; 21-inch wheels; 323-horsepower engine; premium fuel; induction sound enhancer; three driving modes; front mesh grill; an automatic power folding side mirrors; an automatic side mirrors; an adaptive front lighting system; second row manual retractable side shades; rear door courtesy lamps; a garage door opener with homelink; an illuminated front door pocket; front and rear door pockets; a power panoramic sunroof; a power rear liftgate; auto dimming rearview frameless mirror; 150-volt outlet; a front foot lamp illumination; a heated steering wheel; a driver personalization system; steering wheel with memory setting; a power tilt/telescopic steering wheel; illuminated ambient cabinet lightning; like suede interior mid panel with stitch and panel; second row center storage with armrest; heated front seats; inner handle finish; power driver’s seat with two-position memory; a power passenger front seat; heated/ventilated second row seats; split 50/50 third row seats; second row manual captain seats with reclining seat backs; leather front and second row seats; quilted leather Nappa trim; USB inputs; a 12 speaker BOSE system with satellite radio; a navigation system; a 12-inch color infotainment system; a wireless phone charger; a heads up display system; a blind spot assist system; an emergency lane keep assist system; a radar activated cruise control system; parking sensors (front and rear); a traffic sign recognition system; a 360-degree camera; a smart brake emergency system; and a cruising and traffic support system

Options: special exterior paint

Non Plug-In Trims (gasoline only):

Preferred

Preferred Plus

Premium

Premium Plus

Turbo S

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: an 8-speaker audio system with and AM/FM/HD/SiriusXM radio

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Apple/Android Connectivity: Standard

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles

Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles

Hybrid Battery Warranty: 8 years/100,000 miles

Standard Horsepower: 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder/173-horsepower

Fuel: Premium

Electric Driving Range: 26 miles

Total Driving Range: 490 miles (according to Mazda.com)

MPGe: 56 MPGe/25 MPG

Towing Capacity: 3,500 lbs

What’s New: The CX-70 is an all-new two-row crossover. The CX-70 is based on the same platform as the brand’s flagship three-row CX-90 crossover.

Why (Test Model):

Level two charger takes 2.5 hours to charge

Electric vehicle driving range is 26 miles

A stylish exterior design moves the vehicle towards luxury car range

A powerful 6-cylinder is available

Plug-in model only uses unleaded

Available with a 26-mile electric driving range/total driving range on gas and electric is 490-miles

A stylish two row crossover

Roomy

A great riding vehicle

A power tilt/telescopic steering wheel

A panoramic sunroof

Heated/ventilated front and second row seats

A stop-and-go radar activated cruise control system

A co-pilot steering system

21-inch tires/stylish wheels

Nappa leather seating

Additional cargo (More than the three-row CX-90)

*Vehicle may qualify for healthy incentives from Mazda to compete with other PHEV models

Approximately $15,000 less than Lexus RX Plug-In Hybrid

But:

Takes a moment to adjust to utilizing the gear selector

Unable to lock rear exterior side doors using a keyless system

No massaging front seats

The CX-70 uses Mazda’s complicated BMW-like controller

Only available as an AWD model

Verdict: Mazda’s all-new upscale CX-70 is essentially a five-passenger CX-90 with more utility cargo carrying space. Like Mazda’s sophisticated looking CX-90, the CX-70 is available in a host of trims and powertrains, including an electrified option. Mazda has positioned the large crossover to go head-to-head with the luxury makes.

The well-equipped CX-70 plug-in is available in two trims. The two-row crossover we tested garnered 26 miles on a full charge, before the gasoline engine kicked in. 

And just based on a quick analysis, Lexus and Volvo offer more driving range, horsepower and a longer bumper-to-bumper new vehicle warranty. Conversely, the Mazda has a lower starting price and more interior room due to its overall size.

Pricing for the Mazda CX-90 plug-in starts out the gate near $56,000. When comparing this against Mazda's three-row plug-in, its only a few hundred dollars less. 

Outside of the Mazda, the Lexus RX PHEV and Volvo XC60 Recharge (aka PHEV) both have a 36-mile electric driving range. Out the gate, the XC60 and the RX plugins have a base price of $59,100 and $71,600, respectively.

Furthermore, while some may squawk at the viability of plug-ins, for many it's the perfect transitional vehicle for those who aren't quite ready to go all-electric. Yet, they can live off the limited electric range for daily commutes. 

Overall, with all of the luxury amenities in the CX-70, when compared to the Turbo S gasoline model, which exudes 340-horsepower, there is only a $1,500 to $2,000 price bump to step up to the plug-in. On the other hand, for those on a tight budget and opt for the base gasoline engine in the CX-70, there is a larger spread in terms of the cost to step in to a plug-in. 

Near Competition: 2025 Lexus RX Plug-In and 2025 Volvo XC-60 Plug-In

Near Non Competition: 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee Plug-In