Mazda calls the new CX-70 its "flagship" five-seat SUV, which also makes it yet another flag-bearer for the brands relentless push up market as part of its 'Mazda Premium' strategy.
It might have a different badge, but it's really a five-seat version of the brand's biggest and most expensive offering, the seven-seat CX-90.
And, for reasons that will become clear in a moment, it's something of a bargain, at least in the context of Mazda's plush large SUV range.
How so, you ask? Read on.
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Price and features – Does it represent good value for the price? What features does it come with? 8/10
8 / 10
We'll drill down on this a little more in the practicality section, but it's important to note here that the CX-70 is the same size as the CX-90 – both are 5120mm long, 1994mm wide and 1745mm high — which means the only real difference between the two models is the third row of seats in the CX-90.
And, as it turns out, that's a very expensive pair of chairs. The CX-70 starts with the GT trim at $75,970 before on-road costs for the petrol or $77,970 for the diesel, and then climbs to the Azami trim, which is $82,970 or $84,970.
The CX-90, though, is $82,577 or $85,785 for the GT, or $91,461 or $93,030 for the Azami.
That makes the CX-90's third row at least a $6600 option, but as much as an $8000 upgrade. Mazda has made moves to address this, with a drive-away "plate clearance" that closes that gap, but we suspect those offers will become permanent fixtures to make the jump from 70 to 90 less ferocious.
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Anyway, Mazda has thrown just about everything they've got at the CX-70. The GT kicks off with plenty of high-end gear, including 21-inch black alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights, a panoramic sunroof and a handsfree powered tailgate.
Inside, there are twin 12.3-inch screens with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12-speaker Bose stereo, leather seats that are heated front and rear, three-zone climate control and a heated steering wheel.
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The Azami then adds things like ambient lighting, black Nappa leather seats, which are now ventilated in the front, footwell lighting, body-coloured wheel arches and lower cladding and body-coloured door handles.
Design – Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10
8 / 10
Yes, the Mazda premium SUV range can look a little same-same, but Mazda insists there are critical differences.
That said, if you can immediately spot the difference between the CX-70 and CX-90 without taking a peek inside, you're doing better than me, given it is the same exact dimensions as Mazda's three-row flagship.
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Sure, Mazda talks about things like this design being a “passion pursuer” that serves up "dignified performance” – all of which sounds utterly ridiculous – but the less marketing-speak version is that it looks like a shapely large SUV that ditches the boxy dimensions of a proper 4WD for a more sleek and swooping profile.
Inside, it's a plush and premium-feeling space, with lovely cabin materials, plenty of tech, and plenty of space.
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Practicality – How practical is its space and tech inside? 9/10
9 / 10
The CX-70 measures a substantial 5120mm long, 1994mm wide, and 1745mm tall, and it rides on a 3120mm wheelbase.
It will tow 2.5 tonnes no matter which engine you choose, and the expansive boot will swallow between 589 litres and 2015 litres, depending on how you configure the backseat.
All of that space translates to a hugely airy backseat experience, with the second row able to be fixed in a position that either prioritises leg room or boot space.
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With the former, you've got tons of space in the second row. I'm 175cm, and my knee and leg room was ample, with only the intrusive tunnel that runs down the middle-centre of the cabin eating into leg room for the middle passenger.
There are also air vents and temp controls, twin USB charge ports, seat heating in the window seats and swathes of very nice materials.
The boot is massive, too. I can't even reach the back of the rear seats when I lean into it, and Mazda says it will swallow smaller surfboard or SUPs without needing to resort to roof racks.
Under-floor storage adds a bit more security for precious items, too.
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Under the bonnet – What are the key stats for its engine and transmission? 8/10
8 / 10
You can have one of two engines in the CX-70, with the cheapest being a 3.3-litre, six-cylinder turbo-petrol, producing 254kW and 500Nm. There's also a 3.3-litre, six-cylinder turbo-diesel, making 187kW and 550Nm. Both are equipped with a 48-volt mild hybrid system to marginally reduce fuel use.
All models are AWD, and pair with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
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Efficiency – What is its fuel consumption? What is its driving range? 7/10
7 / 10
Petrol-powered cars will sip 8.1L/100km on the combined cycle, while the diesel drops that to 5.4 litres.
Both models get a 74-litre tank, meaning a theoretical driving range of around 900kms in the petrol, and almost 1400kms in the diesel.
Driving – What's it like to drive? 9/10
9 / 10
Interestingly, the CX-70 has been tagged as the expected smallest seller of Mazda's premium SUV range, but I reckon it just might be the pick of the bunch.
Every one of the CX-0 models (60, 70, 80 and 90) all get slightly different suspension tunes, and while you can find harsh edges in the other models, the CX-70 feels utterly composed and refined, at least on the smooth-ish roads of our launch test route.
Perhaps most surprising, though, is the CX-70's ability to hold its own on a properly twisting road. We expected lots of weight transfer and the high-pitched sounds of tyres screaming out in pain, but instead found Mazda's massive SUV served up grip, composure, and very little in the way of sea-swell-style body roll.
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The two big six-cylinder engines also feel perfectly suited to a vehicle in this space. There's tons of power whenever you need it, and solid levels of refinement in terms of engine noise or diesel rattles.
For mine, the petrol engine is the pick though, feeing just a little smoother than the diesel option. The latter can feel a bit jerky at slower speeds, whether that's the power delivery or the gearbox, and it doesn't seem to happen with the petrol engine.
The biggest caveat, though, is that we haven't driven the CX-70 in its natural environment, the city and suburbs, so while it largely shone on flowing country roads, how it performs on roads like the ones near your place remains a bit of a mystery.
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Safety – What safety equipment is fitted? What is its safety rating? 8/10
8 / 10
The CX-70 hasn’t been ANCAP tested, but it does arrive with a pretty stacked safety offering, including a 360-degree-view camera, blind-spot monitoring, front and rear cross-traffic alert, and a total of eight airbags, including a knee airbag for the driver.
Ownership – What warranty is offered? What are its service intervals? What are its running costs? 7/10
7 / 10
Servicing is not particularly cheap in the CX-70, and the service intervals, at least in the diesel, feel a little short, too.
Buy that one, and you’ll be visiting the dealership every 12 months or 10,000kms, and the first five years of ownership will cost you $3298.
Petrol cars require servicing every 12 months or 15,000kms, and five years will set you back $3436.
The CX-70 is also covered by Mazda's five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Verdict
For mine, the CX-70 is the pick of Mazda's premium SUV range, and if you can survive without a third row of seats, it's significantly cheaper than its CX-90 twin, too.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.
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