OverviewAs far as mid-size SUVs go, the 2026 Mazda CX-70 Hybrid is an athlete with a taste for luxury. A 323-hp plug-in-hybrid setup provides plenty of punch and can motor the CX-70 around for up to 26 miles on electricity alone. Its primary drawback is the existence of the nearly identical CX-90 Hybrid, which offers the same powertrain and driving experience with the convenience of a flip-up third row of seats. The CX-70 Hybrid’s upscale interior features room for five across two rows of seats and a generously sized cargo bay. Tech features abound, but some users may find the infotainment controls to be a little finicky. A nonhybrid CX-70 model is also available, but we review that model separately.What’s New for 2026?Seeing as how the CX-70 Hybrid was introduced just last year, we aren’t expecting to find any major updates to the two-row SUV for 2026.Pricing and Which One to BuyThe price of the 2026 Mazda CX-70 Hybrid is expected to start around $56,000 and go up to $59,000 depending on the trim and options.Premium$56,000 (est)Premium Plus$59,000 (est)The CX-70 Hybrid is offered in two trims, Premium and Premium Plus, and we’d stick with the entry-level Premium. It comes well-equipped with desirable features such as leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats with heat, a digital gauge display, 21-inch wheels, a 12-speaker Bose stereo, and a head-up display.Engine, Transmission, and PerformanceThe CX-70 Hybrid gets the same plug-in powertrain as the three-row CX-90. That means a 323-hp combined output from a combination of an inline four-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor. An eight-speed automatic transmission handles shifting duties and all-wheel drive is standard. In our experience, this powertrain provides plenty of pep for city and highway driving and the electric motor and battery pack provide decent real-world electric-only driving range. During our test drive, we found the CX-70’s driving experience to be similar to the CX-90’s. It provides agile handling for a mid-size SUV, and our main quibble with the plug-in-hybrid powertrain is the occasionally loud droning of the gasoline engine.0–60-MPH TimesSince it’s nearly identical to the CX-90, the CX-70 is just as quick as its sibling. At our test track, the hybrid CX-70 needed just 5.9 seconds to hit 60 mph.More on the CX-70 Hybrid SUVTowing and Payload CapacityThe CX-70 Hybrid is rated to tow up to 3500 pounds. Mazda offers an Essential Tow package as an option on all trims that includes a trailer hitch and wiring harness.Range, Charging, and Battery LifeA 17.8-kWh battery pack can be charged from 20 to 80 percent in about 90 minutes on a 240-volt connection and the CX-70 Hybrid is rated to provide 26 miles of electric driving on a full charge.Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGThe EPA hasn’t released any fuel economy information for the 2026 CX-70 Hybrid yet, but the 2025 model earned ratings of 24 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined.For more information about the CX-70 Hybrid’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.Interior, Comfort, and CargoIf the CX-90 Hybrid’s first two rows are spacious enough for you, then you’ll find the CX-70 Hybrid’s cabin an accommodating place to be—the two SUVs are nearly identical inside. The main thing that’s missing in the CX-70 is the third row of seats, as Mazda has replaced them with a large cargo area with hidden storage under the flat floor. The interior design is upscale and stylish with a touch of sportiness, especially when equipped with the optional red leather upholstery.The Car and Driver DifferenceInfotainment and ConnectivityA 12.3-inch infotainment display is nestled into the dashboard and controlled through a click wheel on the CX-70 Hybrid’s center console. Mazda’s latest infotainment interface is easy to navigate and relatively intuitive. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard, as is a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12-speaker Bose premium stereo.How to Buy and Maintain a CarSafety and Driver-Assistance FeaturesAll CX-70s come with a suite of driver-assistance features called i-Activsense, which includes automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. For more information about the CX-90’s crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard blind-spot monitoring
- Standard adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance CoverageMazda offers an adequate protection plan for buyers of new CX-70s. What it doesn’t offer is something that both the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid do: complimentary scheduled maintenance.
- Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- Hybrid components are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
SpecificationsSpecifications
2025 Mazda CX-70 PHEV Premium Plus
Vehicle Type: front-engine, front-motor, all-wheel drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $58,905/$59,355
Options: Melting Copper Metallic paint, $450
Powertrain
DOHC 16-valve 2.5-liter inline-4, 189 hp, 192 lb-ft + AC motor, 173 hp, 199 lb-ft (combined output: 323 hp, 369 lb-ft; 14.8-kWh [C/D est] lithium-ion battery pack; 7.2-kW onboard charger
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: control arms/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 13.7-in vented disc/13.8-in vented disc
Tires: Falken Ziex CT60A A/S
275/45R-21 107W M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 122.8 in
Length: 200.8 in
Width: 78.5 in
Height: 68.2 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 57/51 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 75/40 ft3
Curb Weight: 5184 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 5.9 sec
1/4-Mile: 14.4 sec @ 97 mph
100 mph: 15.2 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.2 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.7 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.9 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 118 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 171 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.82 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 27 MPGe
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 25/24/27 mpg
Combined Gasoline + Electricity: 56 MPGe
EV Range: 26 mi
C/D TESTING EXPLAINEDMore Features and Specs
Source: caranddriver.com
