Walking up to our 2025 Mazda CX-70 after six months of ownership, I’m struck by how dramatically this vehicle represents Mazda’s ambitious leap toward premium territory. The brand’s upmarket push is unmistakable, especially when you factor in pricing. Our loaded CX-70 Turbo S Premium AWD rings in at $56,120, a few thousand bucks more than the starting prices of the 2026 Acura MDX and 2025 Lexus RX.
But here’s the thing about luxury – it’s not just about matching price points or checking feature boxes. It’s about that intangible feeling when you slide behind the wheel, the way every surface feels deliberate, and how the vehicle responds to your inputs with effortless precision. After spending more than half a year with our long-term CX-70, along with extensive time in its three-row sibling, I’ve developed some strong opinions about whether Mazda has truly cracked the luxury code.
First Impressions: When Luxury Meets Reality
The Visual Symphony
The premium interior and sleek styling have turned heads; friends and family have even asked, “Wait, this is a Mazda?” That reaction speaks volumes about how far the brand has traveled from its economy car roots. The CX-70’s cabin doesn’t just look expensive – it feels carefully orchestrated.
The 12.3-inch infotainment screen, the leather-wrapped dash, the clean, elegant lines—it all looks and feels upscale. Passengers often comment on how nice it feels inside. The dashboard wrapping in genuine leather immediately elevates the experience beyond typical mainstream offerings, while twin 12.3-inch displays create a modern, tech-forward environment.
Materials That Matter
What impresses me most isn’t the flashy elements – it’s the thoughtful details. 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.
The available Nappa leather treatment takes things further, particularly in higher trims where quilted surfaces and extended stitching create visual interest without feeling overdone. Unlike many vehicles in this space, Mazda wisely avoided the fingerprint-magnet piano black trim that plagues so many interiors today.
Where Premium Meets Practical
Space and Functionality
The CX-70’s greatest strength might be its practical luxury approach. The five-person 2025 Mazda CX-70 boasts an elegant cabin that could easily be mistaken for a luxury-brand SUV. Leather seats and a large display are standard, setting an upscale tone across the lineup.
Behind the second row, you’ll find 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to an impressive 75.3 cubic feet with seats folded. More importantly, that space is usable thanks to a flat load floor and thoughtful storage solutions including an underfloor compartment for valuables.
Technology Integration
The infotainment experience deserves special mention. The infotainment system is intuitive and simple to operate at a stop or in motion, and from either the steering wheel controls or the center console-mounted navigation wheel. The addition of Amazon Alexa integration represents a first for Mazda crossovers, showing the brand’s commitment to staying current with consumer expectations.
Physical climate controls remain refreshingly analog, bucking the trend toward touch-sensitive panels that can frustrate in daily use. It’s these small decisions that suggest Mazda understands luxury isn’t just about the latest technology – it’s about making technology work seamlessly for the user.
The Performance Paradox
Power That Delivers
The CX-70’s 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six has delivered some solid moments. It feels punchy, with minimal turbo lag, and the power is well matched to a vehicle of this size. With 340 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, merging onto the highway is effortless.
The mild-hybrid system works invisibly in the background, optimizing efficiency without the driver ever feeling compromised performance. Mazda’s choice to offer standard all-wheel drive across the lineup reinforces the premium positioning while delivering genuine capability.
Where Refinement Falls Short
Here’s where honest assessment becomes crucial. True luxury goes beyond the spec sheet. The driving experience matters—and matters a lot in this segment. While the CX-70 delivers impressive power and generally composed handling, it doesn’t quite achieve the effortless refinement of established luxury players.
Road noise at highway speeds remains more noticeable than in comparable Lexus or BMW offerings. The suspension, while competent, transmits more road imperfections than you’d expect in a vehicle positioning itself as premium. These aren’t deal-breakers, but they’re reminders that Mazda’s journey toward true luxury status isn’t complete.
Value Versus Authenticity
The Competitive Landscape
Mazda wants you to think about its interiors up against those luxury brands, and frankly, it’s hard to blame it. The CX-70 is filled with upscale finishes and lovely material choices, with none of the popular but instantly damaged piano black trim to be found.
When you compare feature lists and pricing, the CX-70 makes a compelling argument. It offers more space than many luxury competitors, standard all-wheel drive, and a powerful engine at a price point that undercuts established premium brands by thousands.
The Luxury Question
After months of daily driving, the interior does start to feel more “premium-adjacent” than truly luxurious. This observation captures the CX-70’s current position perfectly. It’s genuinely impressive, offering an upscale experience that exceeds expectations for a Mazda product, but it doesn’t quite reach the effortless sophistication of established luxury brands.
It’s not just about large screens and upscale materials, it’s the way a vehicle drives, the refinement in its ride, and the overall sense of effortlessness that separates premium from mainstream.
Long-Term Living
Daily Realities
After thousands of miles together, certain truths emerge. The CX-70 proves to be a reliable, comfortable companion that consistently delivers on its primary promises. The spacious interior accommodates real-world needs, the technology works intuitively, and the build quality feels solid.
However, some limitations become apparent with extended use. Unlike most SUVs in the category, the CX-70’s headliner is completely unpadded; it feels like just a layer of cloth material. The door pockets are unlined, without even a grippy rubber base, and they have a visible mold line with a slightly rough edge.
The Ownership Experience
What matters most in daily ownership is how the vehicle makes you feel about your choice. The CX-70 consistently delivers a sense of satisfaction that extends beyond its price point. It’s a vehicle that feels special enough to impress visitors while being practical enough for everyday use.
The maintenance requirements remain reasonable, and Mazda’s reputation for reliability provides confidence in long-term ownership costs. While it may not offer the same service experience as traditional luxury brands, the value proposition remains compelling.
The Verdict: Premium Progress
What Works
The 2025 Mazda CX-70 succeeds brilliantly as a premium mainstream vehicle. It offers a winning combination of a slick exterior, a luxurious interior and surprisingly sharp handling. The materials quality, space utilization, and feature content justify its positioning above traditional mainstream offerings.
For buyers seeking luxury-like amenities without luxury pricing, the CX-70 delivers exceptional value. The interior genuinely impresses, the technology works well, and the driving experience, while not quite luxury-refined, offers engagement that many premium vehicles sacrifice.
Room for Growth
Mazda is on the right track with its positioning of the CX-70 as a premium SUV, but the company still needs to sharpen the ride and powertrain experience. The foundation is absolutely there – strong materials, thoughtful design, and competitive features. What’s needed is that final layer of refinement that transforms good into great.
The ride quality, noise isolation, and transmission behavior need optimization to match the visual and feature promises. These aren’t insurmountable challenges, but they’re the difference between “premium-adjacent” and genuinely luxurious.
The Journey Continues
Is our yearlong 2025 Mazda CX-70 actually luxurious? The honest answer is: not quite, but it’s remarkably close. It represents a genuine achievement for Mazda, demonstrating the brand’s serious commitment to upmarket positioning while delivering tangible improvements over previous generations.
We’d enjoy the ride more in a Lexus or Acura—even if that meant paying a bit extra. This statement captures the current reality perfectly. The CX-70 offers impressive value and genuine appeal, but established luxury brands still maintain advantages in refinement and overall experience.
For buyers willing to prioritize value and space over absolute refinement, the CX-70 makes a compelling case. It’s a vehicle that consistently exceeds expectations while providing a glimpse of Mazda’s luxury potential. The journey toward true luxury status isn’t complete, but the progress is undeniable and encouraging.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does the 2025 Mazda CX-70 compare to established luxury SUVs like Lexus RX or BMW X5?
The CX-70 offers competitive features and superior value but falls short of the refined driving experience and premium service typical of established luxury brands. It provides more space and power for less money but doesn’t quite match the overall polish and prestige of traditional luxury marques.
Q: Is the CX-70 worth the premium over Mazda’s other SUVs?
If you value interior quality, advanced features, and a more sophisticated driving experience, the CX-70 justifies its premium pricing. The materials, technology, and overall refinement represent a significant step up from Mazda’s mainstream offerings, though buyers should understand they’re paying for premium positioning rather than true luxury status.
Q: What are the main drawbacks of choosing the CX-70 over traditional luxury competitors?
The primary compromises include less refined ride quality, more road noise at highway speeds, and service experience that doesn’t match luxury brand standards. Additionally, some interior details reveal cost-cutting measures that luxury buyers might notice, though the overall package remains impressive for the price point.