Mazda attracted some criticism earlier this year when it revealed the all-new CX-70 – a two-row SUV packed full of premium extras. Upon first glance, it’s tough to understand why Mazda came under fire for this reveal, as the CX-70 looks great, comes highly equipped, and will surely tick a lot of boxes for a lot of customers.

The issue, however, comes when you compare these two models head-to-head: the Mazda CX-70 vs. the CX-90. The newer model is nearly indistinguishable from the three-row CX-90, with the only change seemingly being that Mazda removed the third row. In order to establish just how similar these two models are, we set about discovering every way in which the CX-70 and CX-90 differ.

• 2025 Mazda CX-70

  Base MSRP

  $40,445

  Engine

  3.3L Turbo Inline-6 Gas

  Horsepower

  280-340 hp

  Torque

  332-369 lb-ft

  Transmission

  8-Speed Automatic

  Drivetrain

  All-Wheel Drive

  0-60 MPH

  6 seconds

  Towing Capacity

  5,000 lbs

  Fuel Economy

  24/28/25 mpg

  Expand

• 

  2024 Mazda CX-90

  Base MSRP

  $37,845

  Engine

  3.3L Turbo Inline-6 Gas

  Horsepower

  280-340 hp

  Torque

  332-369 lb-ft

  Transmission

  8-Speed Automatic

  Drivetrain

  All-Wheel Drive

  0-60 MPH

  4.8-5.8 seconds

  Towing Capacity

  3,500 lbs

  Fuel Economy

  24/28 MPG

  Expand

This article explores the various differences between Mazda’s seemingly very similar SUVs – the all-new two-row CX-70 and the three-row CX-90 upon which it is based.

1 The CX-70 Only Seats Five Occupants

When comparing the Mazda CX-70 vs. the CX-90, most differences don’t jump out at you, and take some exploring to discover. However, easily the most obvious difference is that the newer CX-70 only seats five occupants, whereas the older Mazda CX-90 can seat up to eight.

Rather than developing a new model, Mazda simply dropped the third row from the CX-90 in order to create the CX-70, which is why passenger capacity drops. Dependent on how the CX-90 is specified, it can seat either seven or eight.

2 Three-Row CX-90 Is Surprisingly Cheaper

Seemingly, the Mazda CX-90 offers everything that’s available with the CX-70, but with the added benefit of having a third row, too. In other words, it can do anything the CX-70 does, just with an added helpful dose of practicality. Common sense tells us then, that the more capable CX-90 should be more expensive – but that isn’t the case.

Instead, the 2025 Mazda CX-70 sports a $2,600 premium over the practical three-row CX-90, and the same is true for the PHEV trims also, where the CX-70 Plug-In Hybrid costs a substantial $4,455 more. Paying more for less may seem unjustifiable, until you consider the fact that the CX-70 is offered with more upscale trims only. In an apples to apples comparison (CX-70 PHEV Premium Plus vs. CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus), the CX-90 is $500 more expensive.

3 CX-90 Has More Trim Levels

It’s said that variety is the spice of life, and if that’s a mantra you subscribe to, then the CX-90 should be right up your street. In truth, both the CX-70 and CX-90 offer a wide range of grades, but the latter does boast a larger selection.

The Mazda CX-90’s base trim is the 3.3 Turbo Select – it packs the same 3.3-liter turbocharged inline-six as the other grades, in 280-horsepower guise. Flagship grades for both models sport a 60-horsepower advantage, but still use the same engine. The Turbo Select features leatherette seats, as opposed to full leather, 19-inch alloy wheels, and a 10.25-inch infotainment screen. The CX-70 misses out on a comparable entry-level trim, and instead kicks off with the 3.3 Turbo Preferred. Here, the seats are leather as standard, and the 10.25-inch display is swapped out for a larger 12.3-inch unit.

4 Each SUV Has Model-Specific Colors

If a particular hue catches your eye in the showroom, this may help to narrow down which SUV is right for you, as many colors are either CX-70 or CX-90 specific. Some colors, such as the standard Jet Black Mica, or optional Soul Red Crystal Metallic and Rhodium White are available on both models, whereas others are exclusive to one or the other.

For example, only the CX-70 is available with the striking Melting Copper, Zircon Sand, and Polymetal Gray – the first of which is particularly striking, pictured above. While the CX-90 does miss out on these exciting colors, it makes up for it with its own dazzling selection. The capable three-row crossover boasts choices such as Deep Crystal Blue Mica, Platinum Quartz, Sonic Silver, Machine Gray Metallic and Artisan Red Premium. Those last two colors are cost-option extras, whereas the others are free to spec on the CX-90.

5 Two-Row CX-70 Has More Cargo Space

Not having to provide a third row of seating works in the CX-70’s favor when it comes to cargo capacity, as it does manage to boast an advantage when it comes to storage room – even if it is only a marginal gain. Comparing CX-70 vs CX-90 internal dimensions shows just how small these gains are – when the second row is laid flat, Mazda’s CX-70 boasts a palatial 75.3 cubic feet of space, in comparison to the CX-90’s 74.2 cubic feet.

Trunk space [in the CX-70] is also nearly identical to the CX-90’s, with the loss of the third row resulting in fractionally higher numbers. There’s nearly 40 cubic feet with all the seats in use, but fold down the 60/40-split second row and more than 75 cubes of trunk volume is liberated.

– Cobus F. Potgieter, CarBuzz

With all the seats in place, though, the CX-70’s extra space is a lot more noticeable, naturally. The third row limits the CX-90’s room to 14.9 cubic feet, whereas the CX-70 manages to provide 39.6 cubic feet. Of course, the third row of the CX-90 can be dropped to provide a very similar load space, but the fact remains that Mazda’s CX-70 is a lot more practical for loading cargo when both models have their seats upright.

6 The CX-70 Unlocks Model-Specific Interior Trim

As is often the case with Mazda models, both the CX-70 and CX-90 are impeccably trimmed in all grades. Mazda has been refining the quality of materials chosen for its cabins throughout the last decade, and these new SUVs have some of the sharpest interiors on offer from the brand.

Perhaps the most noticeable difference in cabins when comparing Mazda CX-70 vs Mazda CX-90 interior specs, is that only the CX-90 is sold with a non-leather option. Largely, leather is seen as a huge plus, but some consumers do prefer a leatherette option for ethical or religious purposes, which is where the CX-90’s 3.3 Turbo Select trim might come out on top.

Other differences include the colors available – only the CX-70 offers red Nappa leather, while Japanese premium white Nappa leather is exclusive to the CX-90’s Turbo S Premium Plus trim.

7 Each SUV Benefits From Exclusive Alloy Wheel Options

It’s not only various colors and interior trims that are unique to either one model or the other, but Mazda also developed numerous styles of alloy wheels to be model-specific. Largely, the size of alloy wheels are the same from model to model, as both the CX-70 and CX-90 are sold with 19-inch alloy wheels on lower trims, and 21-inch alloy wheels for the more expensive grades.

For both models, the 19-inch options are solid silver and multi-spoke in design – the differences really kick in on the higher grades’ 21-inch wheels. Mid-range models, such as the Turbo Premium trims, sport black alloy wheels, while the flagship Turbo S models boast duo-tone black and machine-finished wheels. Here, the CX-70’s design is more involved and intricate, in comparison to the simpler design seen on the CX-90.

8 The Mazda CX-70 Introduced A New Front Fascia

Mazda has come under fire from some for simply removing the CX-90’s third row and calling it a brand-new model. Some feel the CX-70 should simply be a variation of the CX-90; a different trim, rather than a different model. In order to establish the CX-70 as its own model, though, Mazda has made some notable modifications to the exterior, with the most significant updates being focused on the front fascia.

At first, the two SUVs do look remarkably similar, but the CX-70 does boast a honeycomb grille instead of the CX-90’s slatted affair, and large grilles in the corner of the bumper, which are absent on the CX-90. Some trims have the lower section finished in satin black, whereas others feature that same trim piece in bright silver, as shown in the images here.

9 The CX-90 Can Be Specified With Captain’s Chairs

We’ve already established that the main difference between these two SUVs is the number of seats, as the CX-90 is the only one to offer a third row. However, there’s more to it than just an extra row of seats at the back, as Mazda gives customers the choice of two layouts for the second row. In order to seat the maximum number of passengers, which is eight, a standard row of three seats has to be fitted. However, for superior comfort, Mazda provides the option of swapping this standard second row out for a pair of sumptuously trimmed captain’s chairs – something the CX-70 does not offer.

10 Mazda Finishes Each SUV’s Exterior Accents Differently

This one is a small detail, but it’s a difference either way – accents on the Mazda CX-70 are typically finished in a gloss black, whereas the CX-90 finishes the same pieces of exterior trim in chrome instead. It isn’t a huge difference, but fitting gloss black accents to the CX-70 does provide it with a notably more moody aesthetic, while the chrome accents on the CX-90 look more traditional and upmarket.

Sources:
Mazda