Here’s Why Mazda Made the CX-70 a Long Two-Row SUV
If you’re surprised by the unveiling of the 2025 Mazda CX-70 as essentially a CX-90 without a third row, you’re not alone; after all, the Mazda CX-70 length was widely expected to be shorter, more in line with the midsize CX-60 offered in other markets.
It turns out the Mazda CX-70 dimensions do not fall in between the compact CX-50 and three-row CX-90 as anticipated but rather mimic those of the latter, measuring over 200 inches in total length.
The low-key Mazda CX-70 reveal was in stark contrast to the weeks-long “unboxing” events of the Mazda CX-90 a year prior. And now we know why.
Reading through the Mazda CX-70 Reddit and wider social media reaction thus far, it’s clear that many SUV shoppers wanted this model to arrive as a CX-60-sized midsize two-row SUV. It’s also what we expected during our Mazda CX-70 pre-release coverage, as did the automotive press as a whole.
But a long-wheelbase layout ultimately won out during the research, design, and development process at Mazda, and here’s why:
Segment-Competitive Interior Volume & Cargo Space
Mazda’s SUVs typically prioritize design and the driving experience over passenger volume, cargo space, and even visibility. This leaves SUVs in the automaker’s lineup lacking the interior space of their closest competitors, often putting them at a competitive disadvantage. It’s especially evident with SUV buyers who mainly shop by specs and not by how a vehicle drives and feels.
But the new long-wheelbase Mazda CX-70 two-row SUV is setting a different course for how the automaker’s midsize SUV offering will stack up to the competition’s interior space.
Thanks to the Mazda CX-70 length measuring over 200 inches like its stablemate, the CX-90, its passenger space and cargo capacity will be highly competitive in the two-row midsize SUV segment.
By sharing the CX-90’s wheelbase and length while being fitted with only two rows of seating, the CX-70 can provide generous second-row legroom and an expansive cargo hold behind the rear seats.
The Mazda CX-70 gets hidden underfloor storage behind the seats that’s not possible in the CX-90 due to that model’s folding third row. Like the CX-90, though, the CX-70 gets sliding second-row seating for added convenience and comfort.
The result is a large two-row SUV with around 40 cubic feet of standard cargo space and upwards of 75 cubic feet of maximum cargo capacity.
Long Wheelbase Minimizes Overlap With Other Mazda Two-Row SUVs
Mazda’s two-row SUV lineup is already crowded with the popular CX-5 and the more outdoorsy CX-50.
Releasing a slightly altered version of the overseas Mazda CX-60 wouldn’t have provided much more passenger volume or cargo space than what the CX-50 and CX-5 models already offer.
A shorter-wheelbase CX-70 with only marginally more second-row legroom and cargo space than the CX-5 and CX-50 ultimately would have made less sense than what we got: an exceptionally roomy and versatile two-row midsize SUV built on Mazda’s new large platform.
It’s true that even if the Mazda CX-70 dimensions had closely aligned with the CX-50 or CX-5, some buyers may have still selected the CX-70 due to its inline-six, rear-biased platform.
But with all three SUV models now standard with i-Activ AWD – and the two compact models available with a high-powered 2.5 Skyactiv-G Turbo engine – we’d guess the premium price of the CX-70 with similar cabin space would have been a hard sell for many.
While the production Mazda CX-70 length and overall dimensions helped prevent more overlap with the automaker’s two other existing two-row SUVs, the result arguably created a conundrum for buyers now deciding between Mazda’s two large platform models.
Pricing will be key in helping the Mazda CX-70 fit comfortably between the similarly sized but three-rowed CX-90 and the significantly smaller CX-50 and CX-5 models.
Looking at the North American Mazda crossover SUV lineup in full, the automaker now offers the following:
- Mazda CX-30: Small two-row crossover SUV
- Mazda CX-5: High-volume, compact two-row crossover SUV
- Mazda CX-50: Rugged take on the compact two-row SUV
- Mazda CX-70: Large two-row midsize SUV
- Mazda CX-90: Midsized three-row SUV
As much as many of us would have liked the Japan-spec Mazda CX-60 to arrive here as the new CX-70, it simply may have been too close in overall size and dimensions to the CX-5 and CX-50 to warrant Mazda bringing it to North America.
Granted, the CX-60 is sold alongside the CX-5 in other markets, but Mazda may have (rightly or wrongly) assumed Americans prefer more spacious vehicle options and chose to fill a void on the larger end of the two-row segment with this long-wheelbase CX-70.
Could the next-gen Mazda CX-5 or CX-50 fill the void between those current models and the surprisingly large CX-70?
Perhaps. We could see the upcoming Mazda CX-5 redesign bring more interior space, possibly even a sliding second row like other compact, two-row models like the Ford Escape/Kuga, to provide a bit more second-row passenger comfort or space for a rear-facing child seat.
However, even a longer, wider CX-5 would likely stick with four-cylinder power, including a hybrid variant, forgoing what many Mazda two-row SUV shoppers are after: that new inline-six and RWD platform.
Major Savings for Mazda
And lastly, let’s face it: this was also a cost-cutting move by Mazda. The cost savings associated with the Mazda CX-70 sharing the body and wheelbase of the three-row CX-90 also played a major factor in Mazda’s decision to release this production version instead of a model sized like the CX-60.
Apparently, the overseas CX-60 model was never designed, engineered, or tested with the North American market in mind. So, simply altering the three-row interior of the CX-90 and creating the long-wheelbase CX-70 midsize two-row SUV was far more cost-effective than testing and certifying a chopped version of the brand’s new large platform.
Reception of the 2025 Mazda CX-70 Reveal (So Far)
It seems the loudest voices who wanted a shorter, more maneuverable Mazda CX-70 are the ones who were planning to show up at showrooms to buy this new SUV. So, we’ll have to wait to see how the wider consumer base reacts to the Mazda CX-70’s substantial size.
Maybe the typical Mazda clientele will remain in or opt for a CX-5 Turbo or CX-50 Turbo. Or, they’ll move to another brand’s midsize two-row SUV if the CX-70 drives too large for their taste. After all, potential pain points for midsize SUV buyers are limited garage space and getting used to parking such a long two-row SUV.
Mazda’s market research may have indicated families that typically shop midsize SUV models like the Honda Passport and Jeep Grand Cherokee want more passenger room and cargo space in their two-row SUV. Then, this larger CX-70 could prove to help Mazda gain market share in a segment where it’s never had a strong option.
Still, Mazda has made its fair share of questionable development (and financial) decisions as of late.
For instance, pushing forward with the Skyactiv-D diesel engine in the CX-5 post-Dieselgate; the presumably costly development and little return (so far) of the Skyactiv-X powertrains; and pulling the plug on bringing the MX-30 R-EV rotary range-extender model to North America based on the poor reception of the low-range MX-30 EV all come to mind.
And now, many North American SUV shoppers aren’t happy with the Mazda CX-70’s length and dimensions. So, we’ll have to wait and see how CX-70 sales play out.
Yet, with the brand set to post record North American sales, it seems it’s doing plenty right, too. Mazda may be able to afford some of these minor missteps as it continues moving into a premium space while pushing for ever-higher sales volume.
Who knows, maybe we’ll all be proven wrong and SUV shoppers will find that the long-wheelbase, two-row Mazda CX-70 is what’s been missing from the midsize SUV marketplace.
Stay tuned to MazdaMotoring for more analysis of the first-ever Mazda CX-70 and its reception, specs, dimensions, trims, pricing, and competitive advantages.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Mazda make the CX-70 a two-row version of the CX-90?
Mazda made the CX-70 length and dimensions the same as the three-row CX-90 for several reasons. The long-wheelbase, two-row Mazda CX-70 provides greater passenger volume, second-row legroom, and standard and maximum cargo capacity than many of its competitors. The CX-70’s longer length and more substantial size help differentiate it from other Mazda two-row SUVs and are also a cost-saving measure.
Are the Mazda CX-70 length and dimensions the same as the CX-90 three-row model?
The Mazda CX-70 length and dimensions are nearly identical to the automaker’s three-row SUV, the CX-90. While the two-row CX-70 features restyled front and rear bumpers, it is largely the same size as the CX-90 but is just missing the latter model’s third row. Both the CX-90 and the new CX-70 measure over 200 inches long. However, the CX-70 has more standard cargo space.
What’s the difference between the Mazda CX-70 and Mazda CX-90?
The Mazda CX-70 and CX-90 share a wheelbase, body, interior, and overall design, but the new CX-70 model is a two-row SUV that’s missing the CX-90’s standard third row. So, while both models measure over 200 inches long, the CX-70 only seats up to five passengers in two rows. The CX-90 offers seating for up to eight in its three rows.