Aussies are spoiled for choice if they want to pick up the keys to a new SUV from Mazda. Long-standing models like the CX-3, CX-30, and CX-5 are still on sale, but over the past couple of years, they have been joined by the larger and more premium CX-60, CX-70, CX-80, and CX-90.
We drove the CX-60 and CX-90 back in late 2023 and were impressed with both, although they did have some glaring faults. More recently, we lived with the entry-level CX-80 G40e Pure for a week and found that it, too, ticks many boxes. The final piece of the puzzle is the CX-70, and the Soul Red Crystal model we tested is its range-topping version, known Down Under as the G50e Azami.
QUICK FACTS
Photo Credits: Brad Anderson/Carscoops
While Mazda’s naming strategy might seem a bit confusing, the CX-70 is essentially the two-row version of the CX-90, which is offered in six-, seven-, and eight-seat configurations. The CX-70, on the other hand, is available exclusively as a five-seater and, with the exception of the CX-90 Azami, is the most expensive model of the Japanese brand that’s sold in Australia. It starts at a quite hefty AU$91,925 (~$57,100), although our tester was even pricier, as it was equipped with the AU$3,500 (~$2,200) SP Package.
Unlike the CX-60 and CX-80, the CX-70 is also available in the United States. It’s priced from $40,445 for the 3.3 Turbo Preferred trim and tops out at $55,950, which is essentially the equivalent of the Azami SP. Since new car buyers around the world are still very much in love with SUVs, is the CX-70 a good option for those who can afford it? Let’s find out.
Premium Power And Looks
A key point of difference between the CX-70 we tested and all other recent Mazda models we’ve lived with is that it had the flagship version of the brand’s 3.3-liter turbocharged inline-six petrol engine. This mill pumps out an impressive 341 hp (254 kW) between 5,000-6,000 rpm and 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) of torque from 2,000-4,500 rpm, giving it a healthy advantage over the lesser-powered G40e engine offered in the CX-80. While that unit is also a 3.3-liter turbo inline-six petrol, it’s capped at 280 hp (209 kW) and 332 lb-ft (450 Nm).
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What’s not different is the fact the flagship 3.3-liter continues to be mated to Mazda’s eight-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic transmission, driving all four wheels through an I-Active AWD system. A diesel version of this engine is also on offer, rated at 251 hp (187 kW) and 406 lb-ft (550 Nm). Both G50e trim levels of the CX-70 also include a 48-volt mild-hybrid system.
Photo Credits: Brad Anderson/Carscoops
Visually, there’s no denying that the CX-70 Azami looks the business as a big, premium SUV. It’s offered in a choice of eight different exterior colors, including interesting shades like Melting Copper Metallic, Zircon Sand Metallic, and Polymetal Grey Metallic. But, to our eyes, the Soul Red Crystal is the one that fits it perfectly and could very well be the finest color offered by any mainstream car manufacturer.
Azami models also come equipped with distinctive 21-inch wheels with black and silver spokes, adding to the bold design. There is also a healthy dose of black accents across the exterior and metallic badging running along the side skirts.
Leading Japanese Luxury
The cabin is just as classy. As standard, the CX-70 Azami is equipped with black Nappa leather, but it can be specced out with luscious Burgundy Nappa or Tan Nappa leather, which was the case with our car was as it came equipped with the SP Package.
This feels like a very premium place to sit. It may not be quite as plush as a similarly-sized German SUV, but it’s a lot cheaper, so you can’t really expect it to. With that being said, it comes quite close. Beautiful soft-touch suede leather adorns part of the dashboard, door panels, and seats. There’s also plenty of tan and black leather across the remaining interior surfaces. Unfortunately, the lower portion of the center console and door panels is hard black plastic, which is truly a baffling choice for an otherwise great interior.
Both the base CX-70 GT and the flagship Azami are loaded with Mazda’s latest and greatest technology suite. This includes its 12.3-inch infotainment system, as opposed to the smaller 10.25-inch display of some other models. There’s also a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, but it offers very little scope for customization and only includes a handful of small settings you can play with.
Photo Credits: Brad Anderson/Carscoops
It’s the same with the infotainment. While it is simple to understand and operate, it’s a little bland. Fortunately, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included as standard, so I didn’t have to spend too much time dealing with it.
The CX-70 has the same 122.8-inch (3,120 mm) wheelbase as the CX-80 and CX-90, so it comes as no surprise that space in the second row is excellent. There’s heaps of room for adults, as well as dedicated climate control switches and two USB-C ports. Added luxury trimmings include manual window shades and the option to recline the heated seats.
There’s an ample 598 liters (21.1 cubic-feet) of cargo capacity in the rear with the second-row seats in place or 2,015 liters (71.1 cubic-feet) with them folded away. However, there are clear reminders that this is based on the three-row CX-90, despite being marketed as a separate model. Like the CX-90, there are cupholders and air vents where the third-row would be, even though they’re not of any use and it’s a shame Mazda didn’t go to the effort of removing them.
This CX-70 gave us our first opportunity to sample the most powerful 3.3-liter that Mazda produces. With headline figures of 341 hp (254 kW) and 369 lb-ft (500 Nm), it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it feels very hearty. However, it doesn’t feel massively different than the 251 hp (209 kW) version of the same engine.
Photo Credits: Brad Anderson/Carscoops
Is it any good to drive?
Acceleration is very respectable for a vehicle of this size that tips the scales at 2,198 kg (4,845 lbs). It’ll run to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a touch under 7 seconds in ideal conditions and produces a lovely burble in the process. Inline-sixes like this are a dying breed, which is a shame, as they’re well-suited to vehicles like this, offering plenty of mid-range torque to make highway cruising and overtaking a breeze.
The low-speed manners of the petrol 3.3-liter are also much better than the diesel. Whereas the diesel feels a little rough and jerky, the petrol feels much smoother and more refined. The throttle response is excellent, although it does take a little bit of time to get used to just how sensitive the accelerator is.
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The CX-80 we recently drove had the entry-level 18-inch wheels, giving it a slightly better ride than the top-spec CX-60 and CX-90 models. Similarly, the 21-inch wheels of the CX-70 Azami do negatively impact the ride, but only slightly. It remains smooth and compliant on most surfaces, most of the time, but can feel a little firm and jarring at times. We would like to see Mazda soften out the rides of all of its new SUVs as it would help to improve comfort for those sitting in the second row.
As mentioned, the CX-70 has the same eight-speed automatic as its siblings. It will be acceptable for most buyers, but it’s not the best gearbox out there and could do with some extra refinement.
Where the CX-70 does excel is in driving feel. The steering is well-weighted and beautifully precise, helping to give the Mazda a welcome sporty feel. It has a fairly firm ride, but noise, vibration, and harshness levels are all kept in check.
One negative point was the radar cruise control. In most situations, it works superbly. However, on country roads, when set to 110 km/h (62 mph), it would frequently and unnecessarily slow the CX-70 around slight curves, prompting me to disable it. Interestingly, Mazda quotes a combined fuel consumption of 8.1 l/100 km (29 US mpg), which is better than the 8.4 l/100 km (28 US mpg) quoted for the CX-80 with the less powerful inline-six we recently tested. I averaged 8.2 l/100 (28.6 US mpg), but that was heavily skewed towards highway cruising and was nearer 10 l/100 km (23.5 US mpg) in urban settings.
Verdict
While it’s definitely not cheap, the CX-70 in its flagship trim makes more sense than some of the lesser versions. Both the exterior and interior ooze class, while the punchy 3.3-liter offers plenty of excitement. However, it’s hard not to feel as if Mazda could have made it better. With improvements to the transmission, the ride, and some plastics in the cabin, as well as a more distinctive design, it could be better distinguished from the three-row CX-90 and stand on its own in the brand’s SUV range.
