Mazda CX-70 Gets Pricier for 2026, Still Struggles to Justify Its Existence
Mazda CX-70 2026, the two-row variant of the three-row CX-90, is set to hit the market with a nearly $2,000 price increase over its debut model year. Starting at $43,780 (including destination), the SUV adds more standard features and boosts the plug-in hybrid’s electric range. However, it continues to face criticism for its perplexing position in Mazda’s lineup, with many still questioning its necessity as a distinct model from the CX-90.
Price Hike & Feature Additions for 2026
The 2026 Mazda CX-70 sees a notable price adjustment, alongside some welcome upgrades.
- Increased Price: The base 3.3 Turbo Preferred trim now starts at $43,780 (including a $1,530 destination charge), representing a $1,960 increase from the 2025 model year.
- More Standard Features: To offset the price hike, Mazda has made several features standard on the base 3.3 Turbo Preferred trim:
- Ventilated front seats
- Heated rear seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Eight-way power driver’s and front passenger’s seats (with lumbar adjustment and driver memory)
- All CX-70 models also receive blacked-out badging.
- PHEV Range Boost: Plug-in hybrid models will now offer an estimated 30 miles of all-electric range, a five-mile increase over the 2025 model.
Trim Levels & Powertrain Options
The 2026 CX-70 continues to offer a comprehensive range of seven trim levels with two distinct powertrain options, all featuring an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive.
- 3.3 Turbo (Inline-Six):
- Preferred ($43,780): 280 hp, 332 lb-ft of torque.
- Premium ($47,810): Adds a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 12.3-inch touchscreen (with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto), 12-speaker Bose audio, hands-free power liftgate, and 5,000-pound towing capacity.
- Premium Plus ($51,100): Adds Nappa leather, adaptive front lighting, and a 360-degree camera.
- Turbo S Premium ($54,770) & Turbo S Premium Plus ($58,200): Boosts output to 340 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque.
- Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV):
- Combines a 2.5-liter inline-four with an electric motor for a total system output of 323 hp and 369 lb-ft.
- Estimated 30 miles of all-electric range (up from 25 miles).
- PHEV SC ($45,780): Includes the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an eight-speaker audio system.
- PHEV SC Plus ($48,780): Adds driver memory, power front passenger’s seat, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and heated steering wheel (features now standard on the non-hybrid base model).
Market Positioning and Alternatives
The CX-70 attempts to carve out a niche in the crowded two-row midsize SUV segment, but its strategy remains ambiguous.
- Upscale & Sporty: Mazda aims to distinguish the CX-70 from rivals like the Chevrolet Blazer and Honda Passport with a more upscale design, a sportier driving experience, and the availability of a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
- PHEV Advantage: The CX-70 PHEV is competitively priced, undercutting the 2026 Kia Sorento plug-in hybrid by $3,955 while offering similar electric range.
- Internal Competition: The most significant challenge for the CX-70 is its internal competition. A comparably equipped CX-90 is only $700 more, making the decision to ditch the third row seem largely pointless from a cost perspective. Furthermore, the CX-90 offers a lower-spec 3.3 Turbo Select trim at $40,330, providing a well-equipped option at a more attractive price point than the base CX-70.
While offering a two-row option makes sense for Mazda’s new platform, creating a separate model with marginal differentiation and a higher entry price continues to be a puzzling strategy for the CX-70.
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