The Mazda CX-70 won’t arrive until 2024, but we have confirmation of the powertrains on offer.
Before new cars go on sale, we typically get some idea of what’s coming down the pipeline thanks to filings with the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Powertrains need to be compliant with the state’s emissions regulations before an automaker can sell that particular vehicle, and that’s a process Mazda is working through with the upcoming CX-70 SUV. Unsurprisingly, the smaller variant of Mazda’s new three-row family hauler will pack the same engine options in the same configurations, according to information reported on by AutoGuide.
In essence, the 2025 Mazda CX-70 is a shortened version of the CX-90. Other than the shorter overall length and one fewer row of seats, the SUVs should more or less be identical. That means you get three powertrain options spread across the range: a 3.3-liter turbocharged inline-six (in one of two power levels, depending on the trim) or a 2.5-liter-backed plug-in hybrid.
The base 3.3-liter engine, as seen in the CX-90, buts out 280 horsepower and 332-lb ft of torque. The higher-end trims, on the other hand, get a 340-horsepower version of the same engine, as well as a bump to 369 lb-ft of torque. The PHEV, for its part, puts out a maximum 323 horsepower and the same 369 lb-ft of torque as the straight-six version. On top of that, a 17.8-kWh battery pack offers up to around 26 miles of pure-electric driving in the CX-90.
All versions of the 2025 Mazda CX-70 will come with all-wheel drive, as that’s the new standard across Mazda’s entire SUV lineup. Personally, I was hoping for a slightly more potent version to set it apart as a sportier option against the CX-90 — as I’d argue the old CX-7 was against the larger, more family-oriented CX-9 — but what it appears we’re getting is exactly what we expected. That said, the smaller overall size should benefit the CX-70 in terms of both performance and fuel economy.
We’ll get a better look at the CX-70 and actually be able to drive it after it debuts next year, so stay tuned for more updates.