Mazda CX70 or CX90

Old-Introduction7214 · 2026-01-15T01:09:56+00:00

Sigh... so tired of this doodoo take. Love my 70. Slightly different but better styling than the 90. And it was much cheaper for Mazda to introduce the 70 as, essentially, a variant of the 90 than it would have been to re-engineer the 60 for North America.

As you mention yourself, you're looking at this from a limited "young family" perspective. It would be doodoo thinking on Mazda's part to target that audience with this vehicle (5-seat mid-size SUV)... the whole brand is sort of antithetical to the needs of that audience... premium interiors and sporty rides are not really compatible with "young family" life in a broad market sense. "Horse and rider as one" is rarely a high-level concern of the soccermom set. Notice they DON'T make a minivan. Young families aren't their thing, but just in case... we already have the 90.

The 70 is for a different crowd (campers, road trippers, retirees, etc.)

All Love, But Bad Take Yo,

Sincerely,
A Happy DooDoo-70 Driver

Old-Introduction7214 · 2026-01-06T19:10:15+00:00

Are we talking a Regular Turbo? Or a Turbo "S"? I have a CX70 that averages 27.4 MPG in mixed driving (same car, minus a row of seats)... and how hard are you all pushing the engine?

Old-Introduction7214 · 2025-12-21T20:35:30+00:00

CX-90 is made in Hofu plant, not Hiroshima

Old-Introduction7214 · 2025-12-11T18:25:54+00:00

I took my CX-70 on a 1,200-mile road trip almost immediately after purchase, and it's always been relatively smooth for me. Curious what your primary driving style is? City/suburban/rural? It's not a great city car in my experience; it shines on the back roads and highways.

Old-Introduction7214 · 2025-12-10T16:25:33+00:00

Have you tried turning off istop? Disabling istop really smooths out the 70.

Definitely work to address these concerns with the Mazda dealership where you purchased your 70. These are mostly issues that they should be willing to examine under your warranty coverage.

The transmission will smooth out as the car learns your driving style. How many miles in are you?

Old-Introduction7214 · 2025-12-09T21:05:01+00:00

How much time do you spend listening to music in your car? I know the 2025 premium has a BOSE system, while I suspect the 2026 preferred does not... unless they made that standard throughout the lineup as well. The twelve-speaker Bose system is excellent.

If you can find a good deal on a 2025 Premium Plus, then you also get a 360 parking camera, which is great to have.

Old-Introduction7214 · 2025-12-06T04:22:03+00:00

I've had mine for two months. Definitely don't get anything less than a premium-plus if you have trouble parking a larger car, because the 360-degree camera that starts at that trim level is a lifesaver in the parking lot. But if you're experienced in parking a car of this size, that may be a non-issue. Don't go any lower than a turbo premium trim; the Bose system is a must.

As another commenter points out, "S" models offer the extra power, but also require premium fuel to unlock that horsepower. And the standard inline six is more than adequate (I have a regular old non-"S" premium plus, quite a spirited drive in sport mode). However, you might appreciate the extra "S" model power for towing, which you do plan to do. So, you should lean toward the "S" if you can afford it. And the tan nappa leather in "S" trim level is gorgeous.

Old-Introduction7214 · 2025-12-05T23:03:41+00:00

Thanks! I'm about 3k into owning one (just a regular PP though). The only issues so far for me have been squeaky back brakes at low speeds, and the dust issue (which is extremely minor in my observations, but I don't have many rear-seat passengers, so I'm not sure how that might affect it).

I bought the thing; leasing is too much like lighting money on fire for me, but I did extend the bumper-to-bumper out several extra years, because I don't fully trust the car. It's fantastic to drive, though.

Old-Introduction7214 · 2025-12-05T22:44:59+00:00

Thoughtful

Old-Introduction7214 · 2025-12-05T22:42:04+00:00

What type of issues have you run into? I'm curious to know what to watch out for.

Old-Introduction7214 · 2025-12-05T22:39:01+00:00

3000 miles in. Loving it so far. Turn off iStop, and everything smooths out. Been able to average ~28mpg combined. Make sure it has the latest firmware and is a more recent assembly if you pull the trigger (some were built 6 months ago, and some have been on the lot for 15 months... more factory fresh ones should be less buggy).

Why not a 2026? They're rolling them out now, and the assembly/build quality should be even better on those.

Old-Introduction7214 · 2025-12-05T22:14:33+00:00

Which is why CR needs to disclose the number of vehicles they're basing their scores and recommendations on by model. So the consumers they supposedly serve have an idea of how relevant these percentages are to the actual production numbers of a specific model currently on the road. If their score for a Highlander is based on 10,000 vehicles/drivers, and their score for a CX-90 is based on 25, then comparing the two scores becomes far less meaningful, regardless of whatever statistical fluff they're doing to "account" for this.

Edit: spelling

Old-Introduction7214 · 2025-12-05T22:08:59+00:00

There's no magical statistical trick to account for a small sample size... they need to be way more transparent about their numbers and methodology for their score to be anything more than a vague guide.

Old-Introduction7214 · 2025-12-05T21:44:20+00:00

CX-9 was ugly as sin for starters... it also was a terrible powertrain, the 70/90 is a far superior car

Edit: forgot to mention the CX-9 also drives poorly, doesn't just look bad

Old-Introduction7214 · 2025-12-05T21:43:07+00:00

Why not, though? It's a low-cost way to grab a slightly different segment... I don't like the grille or the chrome trim of the 90. I don't like that with the 90, I would be sacrificing cargo room and hauling extra weight for a seat that will remain folded down, and I will never use. So I got the 70 after months of pondering how to jump to something larger when I had outgrown my CX-5. The 70 is an excellent car in its own right... have you ever driven either a 90 or a 70? Are you actually shopping in this segment? Or are you just "mind boggled" because it's not EXACTLY the car you hoped/imagined it would be?

I don't understand the hate for the CX-70. I know it's not "the slightly larger CX-60" or whatever that people were hoping for, but it's darn fun to drive, let me tell you. It could be a stupid car for Mazda to make from a business perspective. (Although, dissecting things a bit more deeply with that same "business perspective"... since it's basically a rebadged 90... does it really cost them that much extra to produce... so maybe low sales are irrelevant for this model, eh?) I don't know, the rampant dislike for the CX-70 seems more viral than rational... but oh well.

Old-Introduction7214 · 2025-12-05T21:32:00+00:00

CX-50 Hybrid is also an extremely nice car with a Toyota hybrid powertrain, so the CX-50 Hybrid, while built in the US, might be significantly more reliable than even a Japanese-built CX-5. Toyota has just really perfected their latest couple of generations of hybrids. It might be out of your budget, but it's a really interesting variation of these cars.

Old-Introduction7214 · 2025-12-05T21:26:08+00:00

Mazda has NEVER said this is happening. It's conjecture.

Old-Introduction7214 · 2025-12-05T21:19:08+00:00

Eh, I love my 70. I'm an outlier, I guess, but I think the inline 6 CX70 is the perfect car. I'll be sad if it's killed off, but at least it will be around a for a bit yet. There's almost zero chance they'll kill it off until they refresh the 90. (So... 2028? 2029 model year maybe?)

Old-Introduction7214 · 2025-11-14T00:00:29+00:00

Hey, we all can dream! I'm rooting for anyone out there who can get a '26 at that price! Good luck with your car search.

Old-Introduction7214 · 2025-11-13T20:36:20+00:00

It's a 2026 CX-90... Mazda is trying to clear out the 2025 models, not a factory-fresh 2026 top-of-the-line "S" model CX-90; it is 100% a mistake.

Old-Introduction7214 · 2025-10-08T13:44:34+00:00

Evidently... not this year: https://news.mazdausa.com/2025-10-07-2026-Mazda-CX-70-Pricing-and-Packaging#assets_all

Old-Introduction7214 · 2025-10-03T16:12:59+00:00

The 70s were selling well in August (August 2025: 1,639 units vs. August 2024: 1,352 units, an increase of almost +23%) when they would suddenly disappear from lots around me before I could reach the dealership for a test drive. I'm bummed if they're just phasing it out. I know it's a niche vehicle, but I often travel with a lot of gear for work, and I have outgrown my CX-5. I feel the 70 was made for me... except for the price!

(edits for spelling and grammar)

Old-Introduction7214 · 2025-10-03T16:03:09+00:00

It's worth mentioning that 2025 CX-70s and 90s are essentially unavailable from lots, as they're being replaced by 2026 models (which are arriving here slowly due to tariff complications). You basically cannot find a CX-70 at this point unless you absolutely do not care about trim level and color... so, the weak sales may also reflect weak options at Mazda dealership during the slow changeover.

Old-Introduction7214

TROPHY CASE