The base 2024 Mazda CX-90 now starts under $40,000, thanks to the CX-70.
As much as I’ve gained a reputation around the TFL office as our outfit’s resident Mazda fanboy, I’ve had mixed feelings about the new CX-70. And I’m hardly alone, as most folks reporting on this new model have spent a fair amount of time scratching their heads. Why? Because the 2025 Mazda CX-70 is fundamentally the same as the CX-90, but with slightly different front-end styling and no third-row seating. When Mazda released official pricing a couple days ago, the CX-70 curiously lined up with its similar sibling…though the automaker made a few adjustments to ensure that’s the case.
In practical terms, that means most (but crucially, not all) of the CX-90 lineup gets cheaper — and not by a small amount, either. Shopping the brand’s flagship three-row SUV will now run you $1,750 to $4,050 less than before, at least if you’re shopping for the 3.3-liter inline-six version. To that end, pricing now starts under $40,000 and tops out under $60,000, which does price it more competitively against both its mainstream competition and luxury players it’s gunning for, like the BMW X5 and X7.
The Select trim now comes in at $39,220 (including Mazda’s $1,375 destination charge), which is $1,750 lower than it was previously. By and large, the higher you go up the stack, the bigger the price saving you’ll see. Top-end Turbo S Premium and Premium Plus models come in at $53,825 and $57,325 respectively, each $4,000 lower than before.
Overall, that lines the CX-90’s price walk up exactly with the CX-70, boiling the decision down to a simple choice: whether you want a two-row or three-row. On its face, the CX-70 still packs a higher starting price than the CX-90, but that’s because the two-row SUV does not have the base “Select” trim or an entry-level S model. So, the higher-numbered model still brings a bit more flexibility for buyers shopping on the lower end of the price band.
The PHEV, on the other hand, is now more expensive.
While Mazda dramatically reduced its price walk on the straight-six models, you’ll feel the other edge of that sword if you’re looking at the plug-in hybrid instead. To bring the two models into line, the PHEV increases by $500 to $2,500, depending on the model:
- Preferred: $51,320 (up $2,500)
- Premium: $55,775 (up $1,500)
- Premium Plus: $58,825 (up $500)
Again, the CX-90 offers more trim flexibility by offering a lower-priced Preferred model, while the CX-70 only offers the Premium or Premium Plus if you get the PHEV drivetrain.
Another way to look at these two nearly identical SUVs
Still confused? As I alluded to earlier on, I certainly don’t blame you. You’re not alone there, though at least Mazda’s decision to offer these two models effectively at the same price points does simplify the decision. You can either look at the CX-70 as a CX-90 with a no-cost third-row delete, or the other way around: The CX-90 offers a third row if you need it.
As for why this car is a distinct model rather than an option box for the CX-90, this decision does (at least on paper) fill out the brand’s lineup when it comes to having a complete range to pitch to potential buyers. If salespeople can effectively explain the only real difference between the two is that third row. We’ll have to see how sales figures shake out this spring and summer, when both cars are on sale.
