Road Trip Rides: Mazda CX-70

Editors’ Note: This review is the first of a planned ongoing series for Wildsam, testing out new road-trip rides on the kinds of journeys we tend to favor.

The road trip has few requirements, but they’re essential: the right snacks, the right playlist, no set time of arrival. The right vehicle makes all the difference, too—something we were reminded of recently on a long weekend getaway to Asheville, NC. For that trip, the 2025 Mazda CX-70 proved to be a great option, blending refined sophistication with comfort and excellent handling. 

A relative newcomer to the Mazda lineup, the CX-70 slots in nicely between the smaller CX-50 crossover and the family-friendly CX-90. In fact, the CX-70 and 90 share many of the same features and characteristics, save for the addition of third-row seating in the latter model. This limits the CX-70’s capacity to five passengers, but frees up extra cargo space for luggage, provisions and outdoor gear.

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On the Road with the Mazda CX-70

I’ve always heard Mazda vehicles are known for fun, sporty handling. With winding mountain roads and the famed Blue Ridge Parkway making up the bulk of my route to Asheville, this road trip itinerary let me put that claim to the test. The CX-70 delivered in spades.

For our Asheville road trip, Mazda loaned us a CX-70 3.3 Turbo S Premium Plus. This top-trim model comes with a 3.3L inline-six turbo engine that works in conjunction with a 48-volt mild hybrid motor, producing a combined 340 horsepower. The power train is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, which although a little slow off the line at times, is responsive and zippy once it gets rolling. But tight, twisty roads, like the ones approaching Asheville, are where the vehicle truly shines. The CX-70 hugs the curves, powers up steep ascents, and feels controlled and safe on the descents, all while keeping the cabin surprisingly quiet and serene.

Not only is the Mazda CX-70 fun to drive and comfortable for road tripping, it also scores high in another important road trip vehicle category: the looks department. Over our week of testing, people regularly stopped us in parking lots and on the street to inquire about the make and model, with comments on the head-turning design and color. It’s clear that Mazda’s signature design language is a hit.

Inside the Mazda CX-70

The CX-70’s interior is bright and spacious, with premium fabrics and materials throughout, Nappa leather-trimmed seats and suede-like accents. These finishes give the SUV an upscale appearance, luxurious feel and seemingly long-lasting durability that goes beyond what you would expect at its price point—a quality Mazda has gained a reputation for across its other premium trims in recent years.

Both driver and passenger seats are comfortable and supportive, keeping road trippers securely in place as the vehicle slaloms through curves and zips along straightaways. More importantly, the seats offer eight-way adjustable settings with power lumbar support, preventing fatigue after a long day on the road. After a five-hour drive we were ready to hit downtown Asheville and start exploring.

As you would expect from a modern vehicle, the CX-70 comes packed with plenty of fun and useful tech. One premium feature our crew enjoyed: a widescreen, head-up display that projects current speed, navigational information, blind-spot warnings and more on the windshield in front of the driver. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and even built-in Alexa come standard in all 2025 and 2026 models. Everyday safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, rear and front cross traffic alerts and 360º cameras make time on the road in the Mazda CX-70 secure.

The SUV offers smooth acceleration and crisp steering, maneuvering in and out of traffic like a much smaller vehicle. Drivers will appreciate the precise control in urban settings and on the highway. Overall, the CX-70 is a refined, sophisticated driving machine, with much to love for driving enthusiasts and casual motorists alike. Mazda has clearly put a lot of effort into making an SUV that looks modern and stylish, and equipping it with plenty of thoughtful features. 

As with any ride, there are a few caveats here and there. For instance, the vehicle’s cup holders are few in number and aren’t large enough to accommodate most water bottles. In the past, Mazda has been criticized for not including touchscreens in its vehicles, something that’s been rectified in newer models, including the CX-70. But the placement of those screens makes them hard to reach while driving, and the touch elements are disabled when in motion. Instead, drivers and passengers use a console-mounted click dial to interact with the infotainment system. The SUV’s various bells and dings, including turn signals, seemed very loud at times. Thankfully, owners can adjust the volume level of some of those sounds to make them less jarring—or opt to turn them off altogether—in the vehicle’s configuration menus. Additionally, the CX-70’s gear shifter felt unintuitive at first, requiring the driver to exit park by pushing it to the right before selecting reverse, neutral or drive. When stopped, a quick click to the left returns it to parking mode. While not necessarily a problem, this system definitely took a few drives to get acquainted with.

A Road Trip Worth Taking

Minor nitpicks aside, the Mazda CX-70 is one smooth operator. Quick, nimble, and fun to drive, it offers excellent handling and good acceleration. The SUV’s cabin is plush and comfortable. We appreciated the extra cargo space for luggage, gear and supplies. 

Mazda’s onboard tech is top-notch, including its active cruise control and lane-keep assist features. Those are especially handy on longer road trips, keeping passengers safe while taking some of the stress off of the driver. Standard all-wheel drive is a nice touch, too, keeping the vehicle stable and controlled in a variety of conditions. 

Mazda says the CX-70 gets 24 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway, with a combined average of 25 MPG. That matches up nicely with our experience, during which our combined gas mileage hovered around the 25.5 MPG mark. On our 250-mile one-way road trip to Asheville, that translated to filling  the gas tank only once. In fact, we only needed to stop for bathroom breaks and to grab more drinks and snacks.  

Our CX-70 3.3 Turbo S Premium Plus model has an MSRP of $57,500, which squarely places it in the premium category. But Mazda has found a lot of success in straddling the line between “premium” and “luxury,” giving buyers plenty of value for their money. That includes the $40,445 entry-level model, a beautiful and well-appointed vehicle in its own right. The trim levels in-between it and the top-end version we drove each add upgrades and extras. Those include a choice of drivetrains (gas, hybrid, PHEV), a panoramic sunroof, LED interior accent lighting, 360º surround view camera systems, and more.

The Mazda CX-70 proved to be an excellent road-trip companion. And like any travel companion, when the trip was over, we were sorry to see it go. Because much like Asheville itself, the vehicle left a lasting impression that left us wanting more. That alone should put it on the list for anyone shopping for an upscale, sporty, and fun SUV that definitely punches above its weight class in terms of performance and value.