2026 Mazda CX-70 3.3 Turbo S Premium: Can a Boutique Automaker Still Compete?
With all the competition in today’s market, can a boutique automaker like Mazda still build compelling products? We spent a full week living with the 2026 Mazda CX-70 3.3 Turbo S Premium, a model meant to push the brand further upscale, to find out. Does it pull that off, or is it just too hard to stay independent in 2026?
A huge thank you to Mazda for bringing this CX-70 to us for a full week on our home turf in East Texas. Holli and I were both on the media launch program for this vehicle, so it was nice to bring it to familiar territory and truly put it through its paces.
An Inline Six With More to Give
First, under the hood is a Mazda-engineered all-new 3.3-liter turbocharged inline six with M Hybrid Boost, a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. In Turbo S form, it makes 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel. Standard i-Activ all-wheel drive (AWD) and an eight-speed automatic transmission make it very easy to drive.
So, just how quick is it? There is no launch control, so I stood on the brake with my left foot, floored the accelerator with my right, and the engine hovered around 1,500 RPM before I dropped the brake. It swells into its power, and once you are in the power band, it holds you there quite well. As a result, our first run took 6.8 seconds to reach 60 MPH. A second run was quicker to 30 MPH but slower to 60, landing in the seven-second range. Finally, our best time came on the final run, without brake torquing: 6.68 seconds.
I expected a little more from a Zoom-Zoom brand with a brand-new inline six making well over 300 horsepower. Frankly, I was hoping for six and a half seconds or less. It is quick for what it is, but it is not quick, if that makes sense. Honestly, the real problem is waiting for the engine to build power, and it feels like this powertrain has more to give than those numbers show.
Styling Is Where the CX-70 Wins
Styling is where the CX-70 wins big over the three-row CX-90 it is based on. Yes, the two share a platform and a lot of components, and the cost-cutting measures are obvious in places. Still, the CX-70 sets itself apart up front with a unique front fascia. You get the same grille, running lights, and headlights with the pulsing heartbeat turn signals, but faux vents in the corners of the bumper help guide air around the front of the SUV. In my opinion, the CX-90 needed something like this to round out its front end, and I think the CX-70 absolutely wins on styling.
In addition, our tester’s two-tone black and machine-faced wheels also give off a very premium vibe. They measure 21 inches and wear 275/45R21 Toyo Open Country A50 tires. Moving up, Inline 6 fender badges also let everyone know what is under the hood.
From the side, though, you will be hard-pressed to tell the CX-70 apart from a CX-90, because it is essentially the same vehicle. Similarly, the same goes for the back, where the CX-70 badge is the most obvious difference. You still get LED taillights, heartbeat turn signals, and a rear wiper.
A Two-Row Cargo Area With Three-Row Leftovers
Open the power liftgate, and this is where things start to change. There is no third row, but that is about all that changed back here. You still get the third-row armrest cupholders and side panels, a clear reminder that this body is also offered as a three-row SUV. Altogether, behind the second row, there are 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space, or 75.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
However, there is not much room underneath the floor. For instance, a flat tray holds the tools, and the temporary spare sits below with the Bose subwoofer tucked inside it. By comparison, many competitors in this class offer more underfloor storage large enough to hide my backpack. Instead, the CX-70 has a foam storage area right behind the 60/40 split second row, where third-row passengers’ feet would normally go. It is nice to have covered storage, but it is a little awkward to reach, especially if the rear seats are reclined.
Proximity Key, but No Remote Start Button
Once again, Mazda uses the same proximity key it has for years. You get lock, unlock, hatch release, and panic buttons, but no remote start button on the fob. Instead, owners of other Mazdas tell me you can remote start through the app, but it is a slight downside when you are trying to compete with more established automakers. To lock it, press the button on the front door handle, and it locks all the doors, power-folds the mirrors, and locks the fuel door. Also, the way ours was set up, grabbing the handle unlocked only the front door, something Holli really appreciates for safety reasons.
An Exclusive Red Nappa Leather Interior
Inside, our tester had the red Nappa leather interior exclusive to the CX-70. Specifically, it is a very dark, almost merlot-like red, with a black stripe running down the spine of each seat for visual interest. The window and lock switches are a glossy black, but they work well, and there is a chrome door handle and storage down low in the doors. In addition, the driver’s seat is power-adjustable with lumbar support and two-position memory, and the front seats are heated and ventilated.
Meanwhile, the steering wheel and infotainment layout are familiar from across the Mazda lineup. For example, there is a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 12.3-inch center display, and a head-up display that I really like. In fact, the gauge cluster is especially clever. Moreover, with adaptive cruise on, it shows a three-gauge layout with driver assistance info, or you can switch to a more traditional view with the push of a button. For the record, our trip computer showed under 20 MPG, mostly because we left it idling so much in the East Texas heat. For comparison, the EPA rates it at 23 MPG city, 28 MPG highway, and 25 MPG combined.
Touchscreen, Command Knob, and Physical Buttons
Over my left knee, there are buttons for the automatic start/stop system (you will want to turn it off during hot summers), traction control, parking sensors, the hatch release, and memory seat settings. The center screen is a touchscreen, but you also get Mazda’s command knob, which you will either love or hate. I like having the volume knob right at my fingertips, and the quick-access buttons work with wireless Apple CarPlay too.
On top of that, you also get Auto Hold, an electronic parking brake, and a button for the 360-degree cameras, which have nice resolution. Then, shift into reverse, and the side mirrors tilt down to help you see the curb. Oddly, even with the engine running, the CX-70 still plays an exterior beeper to alert pedestrians when backing up, likely because it shares settings with the plug-in hybrid version of this platform.
Additionally, tri-zone automatic climate control comes standard, with two-zone controls up front and separate rear controls. However, one quirk: the heated and ventilated seats do not remember their settings every time you restart the vehicle. On the plus side, the wireless charger has worked very well for me, and the drive mode switch offers Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing modes. Even so, I left it in Normal most of the time.
Unfortunately, the center console storage is very shallow, because this is a rear-drive-based platform with a transmission and driveshaft running underneath. In short, interior storage is not a strong suit here. Thankfully, there is more room in the damped, felt-lined glove box and the sunglass holder overhead. A panoramic moonroof with a power shade brightens the cabin, too, though the front section does not open very far.
Big Windows and a Comfortable Back Seat
At 5-foot-10, I have plenty of headroom up front, even with the seat all the way down. Also, visibility is generally good thanks to big windows and decently sized side mirrors.
Better yet, the rear doors open very wide, and the materials carry over from the front. Built-in sunshades help with light and heat, though there are some gaps around the edges. The second row is a bench seat with removable LATCH covers for car seats. You also get rear air vents, heated outboard seats, rear climate controls, two USB-C ports, seatback map pockets, and a fold-down armrest with cupholders.
However, in its most upright position, the back seat is doable but not very comfortable. Fully reclined, though, it is a very comfortable place to ride, and I had plenty of legroom sitting behind my own driving position. Want to see how Tucker’s car seat fits? Be sure to subscribe so you catch our family review.
A Lexus Light With Too Much Part Sharing
Behind the wheel, the CX-70 feels very familiar if you have driven a CX-90, because there is a lot of part sharing between the two. Mazda is getting the most out of this platform’s engineering, and it shows. I was hoping for something closer to the CX-60 that Mazda sells overseas, with a sleeker roofline.
After all, this is Mazda’s first inline six and its first eight-speed automatic, so it is still a first attempt. I believe Mazda will lean into the Japanese principle of kaizen and keep improving both. I have heard Mazda called a Japanese Volvo, and now I cannot unhear it. The difference is that Volvo has Geely, a large Chinese conglomerate, behind it. Mazda stands on its own.
With the CX-70 and CX-90, Mazda is aiming less at Toyota and more at Lexus, Acura, and Infiniti. This is a Lexus light. That clientele is pickier, and I think the obvious part sharing between the CX-70 and CX-90 misses what those buyers want. Even cash-strapped Infiniti gives its two-row QX65 and three-row QX60 SUVs different rooflines and silhouettes. Mazda has been working through changes to its large SUVs this year, and this is part of why.
If you like the CX-70’s design or interior, I would at least drive the competition first, especially the Lexus RX, which has been Lexus’ best seller for a long time. They are not apples-to-apples, but the RX nails a lot of the luxury details better than this Mazda does.
A Firm Ride With Some Road Noise
Unfortunately, the suspension is firm, and going over bumps is a reminder that this is not the most polished chassis. More road noise makes its way into the cabin than you would hear in a calm, serene Lexus RX. Those are real trade-offs. On the other hand, you will not look like everyone else in the school pickup line.
2026 Mazda CX-70 3.3 Turbo S Premium Specs and Pricing
Powertrain
- e-SKYACTIV G 3.3-Liter Turbocharged Inline 6 With M Hybrid Boost (48-Volt Mild Hybrid)
- 340 Horsepower (Premium Fuel)
- 369 lb-ft of Torque
- 16.6-Horsepower Electric Motor
- SKYACTIV-Drive 8-Speed Automatic Transmission
Performance
- 6.68 Seconds 0 to 60 MPH (GT: Garage Talk Tested)
Drivetrain
- i-Activ AWD
- Mi-Drive Modes: Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing
- Hill Descent Control
Suspension and Chassis
- Double Wishbone Front Suspension
- Independent Multi-Link Rear Suspension With Stabilizer Bar
- 8.1 Inches of Ground Clearance
Wheels and Tires
- 21-Inch Machine-Cut Alloy Wheels
- P275/45R21 All-Season Tires
Towing
- 5,000-Pound Towing Capacity
- Premier Towing Set (Option)
- Trailer Hitch View
Exterior
- LED Headlights With Adaptive Front-Lighting System
- Power Auto-Folding Heated Side Mirrors With Memory, Tilt, and Turn Lamps
- Power Panoramic Moonroof
- Hands-Free Power Rear Liftgate
Interior and Seating
- Seating for Five
- Red Nappa Leather-Trimmed Seats
- Heated and Ventilated Front Seats
- 8-Way Power Driver’s Seat With Power Lumbar and 2-Position Memory
- 8-Way Power Front Passenger Seat
- Heated Second-Row Seats
- Driver Personalization System
- Heated Leather Steering Wheel With Power Tilt, Telescope, and Memory
- Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control
- 39.6 Cubic Feet of Cargo Space Behind the Second Row
- 75.3 Cubic Feet of Cargo Space With Seats Folded
Technology
- 12.3-Inch Fully Digital LCD Gauge Cluster
- 12.3-Inch Color Center Display
- Active Driving Display (Head-Up Display)
- Mazda Online Navigation
- Alexa Built-In
- Mazda Connected Services
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Bose Premium Audio System With 12 Speakers
- SiriusXM With 3-Month Trial
- Wireless Phone Charger
- Four USB Inputs
- Frameless Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror With HomeLink
Driver Assistance and Safety
- Mazda Radar Cruise Control
- Cruising and Traffic Support
- Smart Brake Support and Smart Brake Support Rear
- Front Cross Traffic Alert With Braking
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Blind Spot Monitoring
- Lane Departure Warning System and Lane Keep Assist
- Emergency Lane Keeping
- Driver Monitoring
- Traffic Sign Recognition
- Vehicle Exit Warning
- Secondary Collision Reduction
- Front and Rear Parking Sensors
- 360-Degree View Monitor With See-Through View
- Rear Seat Alert
Fuel Economy
- EPA-Estimated 23 MPG City, 28 MPG Highway, and 25 MPG Combined
- Premium Fuel Recommended
- 19.5-Gallon Fuel Tank
Warranty
- 3-Year/36,000-Mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty
- 5-Year/60,000-Mile Powertrain Limited Warranty
- 24-Hour Roadside Assistance
Pricing and Colors
- Exterior Color: Jet Black Mica
- Interior Color: Red Nappa Leather
- Starting MSRP: $53,240
- Turbo Premium Package: No Charge
- Premier Towing Set: $900
- Retractable Cargo Cover: $215
- Cargo Organizer: $100
- Destination Charge: $1,530
- Total Price as Tested: $55,985
Final Thoughts on the 2026 Mazda CX-70
The 2026 Mazda CX-70 is a compelling SUV, but I would not steer anyone straight to it without driving the competition first. Its $55,985 as-tested price makes it appealing for someone who wants something a little different from what everyone else drives. If standing out from the crowd matters to you (something Mazda does really well), a CX-70 may be in your future. Just do not expect it to be the best in the segment.
Being a boutique automaker shows here, and Mazda could really use a little extra cash to polish its products. I do believe the brand will perfect this inline six and eight-speed combination over time, and future versions may be more worth shopping for than Mazda’s first attempt. If you are cross-shopping Mazdas, also check out our 2026 Mazda CX-5 story, and learn more on Mazda’s CX-70 page.
Want to see more? Subscribe to GT: Garage Talk on YouTube, and do not miss our family review with Tucker’s car seat install. We also have a new truck on order for a full year of testing. Sign up for our weekly newsletter using the form at the bottom of this page to get the latest automotive news every Thursday morning.
