What's the difference?
The Volvo XC60 has long been an understated achiever of the premium mid-size SUV crowd.
It doesn’t shout for attention like some of its rivals, but it’s built a reputation for quiet confidence and family-friendly practicality. For 2026, the XC60 Ultra B5 Dark keeps the same engine but has received a facelift in other areas. Is it enough to keep family buyers who want a mix of practicality and luxury happy?
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.
The facelifted Volvo XC60 Ultra B5 Dark is the car at school pick-up that doesn’t need to brag. It just gets on with things and it looks good doing it. It offers a strong mix of family-focused features, comfortable and composed road manners and thoughtful practicality throughout the cabin.
The updated media system is crisp and responsive, though it could use a few tweaks to be truly intuitive. Overall, the XC60 mild-hybrid remains a solid choice for families who value understated luxury, comfort and safety over flash. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it does what it does well.
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.