Is the Mazda CX-70 Suitable for Family Vehicles?
The 2025 Mazda CX-70, a spacious and well-equipped SUV, has been tested by executive producer Brent Baer for family road trips. While the CX-70 offers a nice big interior, plenty of storage, and a powerful engine, it also presents a significant drawback for larger passengers.
Pros:
The CX-70 is a nice big SUV with a spacious interior and plenty of storage, accommodating luggage and family gear well. Its powerful engine and handling provide a capable and enjoyable driving experience. The SUV is considered well dressed and offers an upscale feel without the upscale price, making it a good value proposition.
Cons:
A major downside according to Baer is the seat design, specifically the steep and narrow right bolster on the seats that causes discomfort for larger passengers. Despite being of average size, Baer finds himself uncomfortable on long drives due to the seats pressing uncomfortably against his leg. This discomfort is significant enough that he predicts dread of long trips and even considers selling the SUV because of this issue. However, taller or slimmer passengers like his wife do not experience this problem, suggesting the seats may not accommodate typical American body sizes well.
The center console compartment in the CX-70 is shallow, preventing larger items like baby wipes, snacks, and a small first aid kit from fitting. The door pockets provide space, but there are no cubbies on the doors to place keys and other small items.
Driving with the spare tire on one of the rear wheels in the CX-70 is dangerous, and handling will be affected. Mazda recommends swapping one of the front tires to the rear and using the spare in the front. The Mazda CX-70's cargo load floor is high, reducing vertical space in the cargo area.
The Mazda CX-70 only seats five passengers, and installing two car seats in the second row leaves little space for a third passenger in the middle seat. The second row's width is narrower than other large two-row SUVs, although legroom was not an issue.
The CX-70 has an optional tow hitch that can accommodate a large Yakima bike rack. The front cupholders in the CX-70 are quite small, and a 24 oz. Owala water bottle doesn't fit. The door pockets in the CX-70 provide space, but there are no cubbies on the doors to place keys and other small items.
The Mazda CX-70 shares the same interior and exterior dimensions as the three-row CX-90. The curved tailgate of the CX-70 provides a bit of extra room for adding last-minute items.
In summary, while Brent Baer appreciates the Mazda CX-70’s space, power, handling, and value for family road trips, the seat comfort issue for larger passengers is a significant con, impacting his overall trip experience negatively.
- The 2025 Mazda CX-70, a spacious and well-equipped SUV, offers a nice big interior and plenty of storage, making it ideal for family road trips.
- The engine and handling of the CX-70 provide a capable and enjoyable driving experience, but the seat design presents a significant drawback for larger passengers.
- During testing, executive producer Brent Baer found the steep and narrow right bolster on the seats uncomfortable, causing discomfort on long drives for passengers of average size.
- Motor Trend's review of the CX-70 considers the SUV well dressed and offers an upscale feel without the upscale price, making it a good value proposition.
- Despite the CX-70's car-maintenance requirements, the SUV's powerful engine and handling provide a capable and enjoyable driving experience.
- The center console compartment in the CX-70 is shallow, preventing larger items from fitting, and the door pockets provide space but offer no cubbies for keys and small items.
- Mazda recommends swapping one of the front tires to the rear for carrying a spare tire on one of the rear wheels to maintain handling and safety.
- The Mazda CX-70 shares the same interior and exterior dimensions as the three-row CX-90, but the curved tailgate offers a bit of extra room for adding last-minute items.
- When traveling with children, the CX-70 only seats five passengers and installing two car seats in the second row leaves little space for a third passenger in the middle seat, which may impact lifestyle and home-and-garden activities.
