2025 Mazda CX-70 Interior Review: No Third Row, But Plenty to Like

admin Posted on 3 months ago 6 minutes read

Mazda had the difficult task of trying to find ways to differentiate the new CX-70 two-row midsize SUV from the vehicle it shares bones and more with, the three-row CX-90. Cargo space improvements seem easy to highlight, but the automaker also found other ways to give the 70 its own distinct styling and convenience features.

The 2025 CX-70 benefits from an upscale interior, but features vary by trim. The lineup starts with the Turbo Preferred, Premium, and Premium Plus models that have the 3.3-liter turbo inline-six mild hybrid base powertrain. The high-output version of the same setup is in the Turbo S Premium and Premium Plus models. Top trims are the plug-in hybrid Premium and Premium Plus.

Special Red Leather

There’s no faux-leather option for the CX-70’s cabin like there is for the CX-90, but it does come in an available deep red Nappa leather that the three-row doesn’t get. The upholstery is offered on the Turbo and PHEV Premium Plus models, as well as the Turbo S Premium. Other 2025 CX-70 interior fabrics include black or greige leather and Nappa leather in black or tan. The tan might be our favorite, partly because it’s the only quilted leather offered.

The CX-70’s front and outboard rear seats feature a contrasting character stripe in their perforated inserts. There’s more contrasting in the wide section of leather that cuts the dash into upper and lower halves and extends to the doors and center console. The shift knob comes trimmed in dark leather, and the steering wheel is available in dark or contrasting two-tone leather.

Other interior materials include hard plastics below sightlines and in the cargo hold, and textured metallic and wood-aping accent pieces. There’s also light use of contrast stitching in the door pulls and center console. We’re mostly OK with the plastics because they’re relegated primarily to areas that could see some wear and tear, but we’re a little afraid of what they’ll look like after years of scuffs.

Seating Specifics

In addition to standard leather, this five-seater boasts standard heated front seats. A power driver’s seat comes with the Turbo Premium, while the Turbo Premium Plus unlocks a power front passenger seat, ventilated front seats, and heated rear seating. Padding in every position is comfortable.

Headroom and legroom in the CX-70 are the same as what you get in the first two rows of the CX-90. Depending on model, there’s about 39.6 inches of headroom in the first row and between 38.4 and 39.3 inches in the second row—a skosh more than the 2024 Honda Passport up front and a bit less (by as much as 1.6 inches) in back. The story’s the same for legroom, with the CX-70 affording 41.7 inches of first-row space (0.8 inch more than the Passport) but giving up 0.2 inch to the Honda’s 39.6 inches of second-row legroom.

The bigger takeaway might be that at no point did we feel cramped in the CX-70 (though we have yet to sit three adults abreast in the second row, which was a squeeze in the 90). Every CX-70 gets a sunroof, too, but we’d spring for the bigger panoramic roof that’s on the Turbo Premium Plus. Between the open-feeling cabin, premium soft materials, and various types of interior lighting that’s available (foot lamps, ambient lighting), Mazda again gets right the broad strokes of an upscale experience.

Touchscreen for Apple and Android

A 12.3-inch center infotainment display is standard on every CX-70, and as with the latest CX-30 and CX-50, it becomes a touchscreen when you run Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. A same-sized gauge cluster screen is also standard starting with the Turbo Premium model. Graphics are big and sharp for both.

From the Second Row

All CX-70s feature split 60/40 second-row bench seating equipped with a center foldout armrest. The rear seats recline, too, and there are storage pockets in the forward seat backs. A three-zone climate control system is standard, which comes with rear HVAC ducts and controls. A pair of USB-C outlets is also standard for rear passengers, and rear heated seats are standard with the Turbo Premium Plus.

Much Cargo

The CX-70 losing the CX-90’s third row isn’t the only change benefitting space in the newer ute. Designers also created some additional underfloor storage accessible from the rear doors. The hardened styrene composite bin comes out, too, if you prefer not to use what Mazda installed. That said, there’s still less cargo capacity than in the Passport.

The front and rear door pockets are deep and seem big enough to fit multiple jugs of whatever you’re drinking. There are also cupholders in the center console, and Mazda even left in the CX-90’s third-row cupholders.

A Familiar and Plush Interior

Although it’s essentially the same cabin you get with the CX-90 minus the third row, that’s not a bad thing. Both cabins are consistent with Mazda’s best interiors in terms of styling and niceties. The few distinct features the CX-70 offers won’t make two-row converts out of three-row shoppers, but it will be nice for those who want the full 70 experience. The cargo room is probably the bigger draw anyway, and although it’s not as spacious in back as some (a familiar tune with Mazda utes), the CX-70 remains a solid addition to the brand’s SUV lineup.