As the Merlin of Mazda would say: Pick a number between 60 and 90, say 70.
Now add CX and GT or Azami, then take away two seats and cap it off with a $10k-plus price advantage over its seven-seat twin. You now have the CX-70, the fourth SUV from the Japanese auto maker’s new rear/all-wheel drive ‘Large Product Group’ platform.
It’s the same size as the ‘wide-body’ seven-seat CX-90 flagship, with the third row removed, Then there are the CX-60 and CX-80 twins, the latter riding on a wheelbase that’s 250mm longer which gives it three-row capacity.
The CX-70 is considerably more expensive than all but each of the range-topping CX-60 and CX-80 variants. Confused? Join the club, so let’s concentrate on the last but far from least sibling, the CX-70.
The CX-70 becomes Mazda’s flagship five-seat SUV and the company’s first all-hybrid offering. In GT and Azami spec levels only, two powertrain options are on offer – a pair of 3.3-litre turbocharged six-cylinder engines in either petrol or diesel, supported by M Hybrid Boost 48V mild hybrid technology – mated with Mazda’s eight-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic transmission and rear-based all-wheel drive.
Pricing gets off the ground with the petrol-powered GT at $75,970, plus on-road costs; diesel power adds $2000, while the Azami petrol goes for $82,970, diesel again adding $2000. The GT petrol was on test.
All are covered by Mazda’s five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, with capped price servicing for seven years, and five years roadside assist.
STYLING
A seven-seat body is shared by the five-seat model, so it’s difficult to tell one from the other from the outside, while CX-70 exterior standard features across the range include 21-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, a hands-free power tailgate and adaptive LED headlights.
INTERIOR
In the nicest possible way, the five-seater has a big behind. With the second row gone, the load space is a fulsome 923 litres, including under-floor storage, with the rear seat backs raised, and 2015 litres with them folded. Plenty of room for an adventure kit.
Comfort equipment includes leather seat trim, a powered steering wheel and front seats, heating for all outboard seats and the steering wheel, and Mazda has added tri-zone climate control too.
INFOTAINMENT
Inside there are dual 12.3-inch digital screens and an always-welcome head-up windscreen display for infotainment and instrumentation.
Features include satellite navigation, FM/AM and digital radio tuners, plus wireless and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 12-speaker Bose audio fills the space with passable sound.
Mazda Connected Services also integrate seamlessly with the MyMazda app across the entire CX-70 range and offer useful features such as vehicle status and health, stolen vehicle assistance, remote lock, flash-light function, vehicle locator services, curfew notification, geofencing capability and emergency SOS services.
ENGINES/TRANSMISSIONS
As for powertrains, on offer are the choice of either petrol or diesel, a 3.3-litre turbocharged six-cylinder engine, helped along by M Hybrid Boost 48V mild hybrid technology – mated with Mazda’s eight-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic transmission and rear-based all-wheel drive.
The test GT sported the former with a claimed combined urban/highway fuel consumption of 95 RON premium unleaded of 8.1 litres per hundred kilometres. The lowest figure on test turned out to be 6.1 litres per 100 kilometres.
SAFETY
Despite the absence of an ANCAP crash rating, the CX-70 is replete with safety tech, such as lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring with vehicle exit warning. Smart brake support when turning across traffic includes pedestrian and cyclist detection for reversing, or rear crossing.
Mazda debuts unresponsive driver support as part of Mazda’s cruising and traffic support. If the system observes closed eyes or continued distraction it will alert the driver. If no action results, the vehicle will slow down and come to a halt to prevent an accident.
Ten airbags take added care of occupants
DRIVING
A burst of electrons from the mild hybrid thingy has the CX-70 squirting off the mark in a quiet fashion. Up and running, the advantages are not so clear.
In ride and handling, like its sibling CXs, the CX-70 is out of step with rivals in the segment, being a touch hard on ragged roads, especially at speed out in the country. Slow going in well-kept suburban streets is an improvement.
On the other hand, wide ranging comfort and safety, on and off road, are a result of the CX-70 rear biased i-Activ all-wheel drive and front double wishbone and rear multi-link suspension.
Brakes require some sturdy pedal attention, with the two-tonne bulk proving a tad difficult to tame. The gear lever is notchy and naff. Park-reverse-drive shifting takes some getting used to.
SUMMARY
It’s hard to see what Mazda is driving at with the CX-70 and where it fits in the large SUV scheme of things. Niche model comes to mind.
RATINGS
Looks – 8
Performance – 5
Safety – 7
Thirst – 7
Practicality – 7
Comfort – 5
Tech – 7
Value – 6
