CARB Filing Confirms, 2025 Mazda CX-70 To Share Its Engines With The Three-Row CX-90

Summary

• The Mazda CX-70 will share powertrains with the CX-90 SUV, offering a plug-in hybrid or a turbocharged engine with a mild hybrid system.
• The turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six mild hybrid in the CX-90 produces 280 or 340 horsepower, while the PHEV version can run for 26 miles on electric power alone.
• The CX-70’s lighter weight and rear-wheel drive bias may result in better acceleration and handling, making it a potential performance SUV rivaling premium brands at a lower price point.

A recent filing with the California Air Resource Board (CARB), indicates that the upcoming Mazda CX-70 will share its powertrains with the three-row CX-90 SUV. The filing ends months of speculation about the powertrains Mazda will offer with its new two-row SUV.

It should feature either a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter inline-four plug-in hybrid powertrain or a turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six engine supplemented by a 48-volt mild hybrid system. Furthermore, Mazda listed the CX-70 as a 2025 model year crossover, reaffirming that the upcoming two-row SUV will debut in 2024. Here’s everything you need to know about the CX-70 powertrains based on what we’ve already seen on the CX-90.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including AutoGuide and Car And Driver.

The Inline-Six Mild Hybrid and The PHEV Are Torque-Heavy Powertrains

The performance of the inline-six mild hybrid and the PHEV in the brilliant CX-90 should give us clues about their performance in the upcoming CX-90. Just like with the three-row SUV, Mazda will offer high-output and low-output turbocharged inline-six mild hybrid powertrains and a 2.5-liter PHEV powertrain.

Mazda’s All-New Turbocharged 3.3-liter Inline-Six Mild Hybrid Produces 280 Or 340 Horsepower

At a time when automakers are gradually shifting away from gas engines, Mazda poured resources into developing an inline-six engine. The turbocharged inline-six engine that debuted in the CX-90 was the first Mazda inline-six offered in North America. It’s augmented by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that adds 17 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of twist.

Mazda’s development of an inline-six power unit was yet another signal of its intent to move upmarket; premium brands like Land Rover, Merc, and BMW offer inline-sixes. The two turbocharged inline-sixes have identical construction. However, the high-output engine’s turbo produces more boost. It is also tuned to sip on high-octane gas. When burning high-octane fuel, it produces 340 horsepower and 369 pound-feet.

When running on regular fuel, horsepower reduces by 21, but torque remains the same. The low-output inline-six is tuned to run on regular gas. Power output remains the same regardless of the fuel used. Its turbo churns out 14 pounds of boost, while the turbo in the high-output engine produces about 19 pound-feet of torque.

Regardless of the powertrain, max torque arrives at 2,000 rpm, which is pretty early in the rev range. Motivated by bucket loads of low-rpm torque, the CX-90 should get off the line in a manner that belies its astronomical curb weight. Car and Driver found that the CX-90 accelerates briskly until it passes its peak power at 5,000 rpm. The engine’s high compression ratio and the hybrid-assist system should mask any hint of boost lag.

Performance Specifications

(Specs: Mazda)

The Mazda CX-90 Can Run For 26 Miles Using Pure Electric Power

The PHEV Mazda CX-90 powertrain comprises a 17.8-kWh battery pack, an electric motor, and a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine. The electric motor delivers 199 pound-feet of additional torque instantly, launching the 5,423-pound behemoth off the line with considerable pace. Peak torque arrives at 4,000 rpm. Despite being over 500 pounds heavier than the top mild-hybrid CX-90, the PHEV CX-90 hits 60 MPH 0.4 seconds faster than the standard model.

It comes with an eight-speed automatic sending power to all wheels. It can run an estimated 26 miles on pure electric juice. Plugged into a 240-volt outlet, it takes 90 minutes to charge the energy store from 20 to 80 percent. It takes about 11 hours to charge the battery from zero to 100 percent with a 120-volt outlet.

The CX-70 Engines Might Turn It Into A Performance SUV

Mazda hasn’t still confirmed the power outputs of the engines it will offer with the 2025 CX-70. However, if they are as potent as the engines in the CX-90, the CX-70 might join the performance SUV conversation.

The Lighter CX-70 May Accelerate Faster Than The CX-90

The CX-70 will lie on a shortened version of the platform underpinning the CX-90. With only two rows, it’ll also have fewer seats than the CX-90. It potentially means that the CX-70 will weigh much less than its three-row sibling, easing the burden on the mild hybrid and PHEV powertrains. Therefore, we expect that the CX-70 will beat the CX-90’s acceleration times. It’s unclear how much quicker the CX-70 will be, but if you come across a drag race between the two cars, put your money on the CX-70.

The CX-70 Is Shaping Up To Have The Ideal Ingredients To Be A Fun Drivers Car

Despite its weight and massive proportions, the CX-90 has earned praise for its driving dynamics. The car’s responsive throttle, finely tuned suspension, and rear-biased AWD system make it fun to drive. The CX-70 is expected to have all the above, a shorter wheelbase and lower weight. Therefore, it should handle better than the bulkier CX-90.

The use of slim, longitudinally-mounted engines should allow Mazda to install double wishbone suspension at the front of the upcoming CX-70 rather than the commonly used struts. Multilink independent suspension is expected to feature in the rear of the 2025 CX-70. Combining low weight, powerful powertrains, expertly tuned suspension, and rear-biased AWD, the CX-70 may have genuine performance SUV credentials.

The CX-70 May Rival Premium SUV Models With A Longitudinal Engine RWD-Bias Layout

Like the CX-90, the CX-70 will have engines mounted longitudinally and a rear-biased AWD system. Premium SUV offerings from German automakers like BMW and Mercedes-Benz feature a similar layout and all-wheel drive setup. The ace up the CX-70s sleeve is that it should offer the premium setup at a much lower price point.

The Longitudinal Setup Enhances Driving Dynamics

After developing an inline-six powertrain, Mazda had to install it longitudinally; it would have been almost impossible to fit the engine transversely. One of the main advantages of the setup is it enhances driving dynamics. SUVs with transversely mounted power units have most of the car’s weight over the front axles. On the other hand, the longitudinal engine setup allows automakers to better distribute the vehicle’s weight.

Also, the extra space freed up in the engine bay should allow for the installation of advanced suspension setups, improving handling. Another advantage of this setup is that it allows manufacturers to set up complex AWD systems like the ones the CX-90 and the CX-60. It’s for these reasons that premium automakers opt for the longitudinal engine RWD-bias layout. Mazda had to incorporate that layout in their SUVs to compete with Mercedes and BMW.

Mazda Will Probably Undercut Its Rivals In the Premium SUV Segment

Mazda, a newcomer in the premium SUV segment, will probably undercut its rivals. Unlike its competitors, Mazda is unproven. Despite having the hardware to compete favorably amongst the bigwigs, it will have to earn the trust of buyers. Mazda will likely undercut its rivals to attract buyers and improve its chances of success. The company will hope that by offering a premium product at a much lower price, buyers will flock to showrooms ready to cash in on the bargain.

The CX-70 Has The Potential To Become A Huge Success

Information about the upcoming CX-70 is still limited. However, judging by the puzzle pieces provided by Mazda, the CX-70 has the potential to become a huge success. Motivated by three powertrains that have proven capable of powering a much larger vehicle, the lighter CX-70 could be an incredibly rapid SUV. Add rear-wheel drive bias, lighter weight, superior handling, and affordability to the concoction, and you may have the recipe for unprecedented success.