Mazda Unveils 2025 CX-70 Hybrid and PHEV

Mazda introduces the CX-70, a 5-passenger midsize CUV with hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, possibly hitting the market at exactly the right time to attract buyers who are already fans of hybrid propulsion systems and consumers who want to wade into the battery-electric era with a vehicle that still has an internal-combustion-engine.

Built on Mazda’s large platform, the CX-70 is Mazda’s fifth CUV entry in its showroom, and the second PHEV. While other automakers are skipping PHEVs to go to all-BEVs, Mazda sees an opportunity to grow market share. The global hybrid vehicle market is projected to grow from $271.8 billion in 2023 to $443.9 billion by 2030.

Mazda CEO Masahiro Moro says the carmaker plans to have seven or eight BEVs globally by 2030 and believes they will account for 25%-40% of its global sales. In the U.S. Mazda says its entire showroom will be electrified by 2030: BEVs, PHEVs and hybrids.

The CX-70’s propulsion system comes in two versions. The new turbocharged 3.3L E-Skyactiv G engine is Mazda’s first inline 6-cyl., which is paired with a small M-Hybrid Boost electric motor and standard 8-speed automatic transmission. The drivetrain produces 340 hp and 369 lb.-ft. (500 Nm) of torque – the most power and torque of any Mazda series production engine.

The E-Skyactiv plug-in hybrid mates a 2.5L 4-cyl. with a much larger electric motor, producing 323 hp and 369 lb.-ft. (500 Nm) of torque. The electric-only range, from its 17.8-kWh battery pack, is around 20 to 25 miles (32 to 35 km) from a full charge.

We have not yet driven the new CUV, but the CX-70 features Mazda’s brake-based Kinematic Posture Control torque vectoring, which debuted on the ‘22 Miata roadster and is meant to help with sharper cornering and cancels out body roll by braking specific wheels mid-corner into a turn.

On the interior, Mazda continues design schemes it already has introduced on the CX-70’s stablemates: a central display set deep in the dashboard. The 12.3-in. (31.2-cm) screen is touch-sensitive, but there also are physical control buttons and a knob on the center console.

The CX-70 comes standard with Mazda's i-Activsense driver aid and safety suite, including automatic emergency brake support, blindspot monitoring and radar adaptive cruise control. Mazda also makes available the Cruising and Traffic Support package with Unresponsive Driver Support that adds an emergency-only system to automatically decelerate and stop the vehicle if the system detects the driver is unresponsive to escalating alerts.

The CX-70 is Mazda’s first vehicle to feature Amazon Alexa, which allows the driver to make hands-free commands. There are remote folding rear seats, as well as a hinged storage area below the cargo-area floor.

The exterior is consistent with Mazda’s current design scheme with a long hood and athletic stance reminiscent of what BMW used to do.  There are similarities to the CX-90, although that CUV is configured to offer a third row of seats.

Contrasting black accents are spread around the exterior. And there are available black metal and machine-cut finished 21-in. wheels.

Mazda posted a 20% increase in sales in the U.S. last year. And with this all-new addition combined with a forecasted hike in industry sales, the Japanese automaker can be expected to have a good year.