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After more than 15 years in automotive journalism and test-driving hundreds of vehicles across nearly every segment, I’ve learned something important: the true character of a car doesn’t reveal itself on a press launch or a perfectly paved mountain road. It shows up in real life, often when you least expect it.
That truth hit me quite literally last Sunday evening, at the end of my seven-day test drive with the 2026 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S Premium Plus.
It was around 7 PM. I had just sent my oldest son off to serve in the army earlier that day, and emotionally, I wasn’t fully present. I was driving to a friend’s house for a cup of coffee, cruising at about 45 mph, when I failed to notice a pothole on the right side of the road. The impact was brutal. Instantly, both passenger-side tires went flat.
This is where frustration usually takes over. But instead, something interesting happened. The CX-70 remained stable enough for me to safely guide it off the road, and Mazda’s roadside assistance proved to be fast, professional, and genuinely helpful. Within a short time, the situation was under control.
That moment told me more about this vehicle than another hundred miles of smooth highway driving ever could. And it’s why I’m starting this review here. Because the 2026 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S Premium Plus isn’t just about design, horsepower, or technology. It’s about how a vehicle supports you when life doesn’t go as planned.
After a full week living with it, I can confidently say this SUV feels noticeably more premium than its price suggests. For 2026, the Mazda CX 70 lineup opens at $43,780 and climbs to about $58,200 when you step into the highest trims and add available options, placing it squarely in the space where mainstream pricing begins to overlap with premium expectations.
Exterior of The 2026 CX-70: Mazda's Most Confident Design Yet
Mazda has been refining its design language quietly while many competitors chase louder styling trends. The CX-70 is the payoff. It doesn’t scream for attention, yet it turns heads because of its balance and proportion.
The long hood, wide stance, and restrained surfacing give the CX-70 an almost European luxury SUV presence. There’s an elegance here that avoids gimmicks. No fake vents. No overstyled creases. Just clean lines and confident proportions.
This design philosophy mirrors what I previously explored when I wrote about how Mazda nailed all exterior elements of the CX-70 while delivering an interior that feels impressively high quality. The Turbo S Premium Plus trim builds on that foundation with tasteful wheels, subtle chrome accents, and lighting elements that feel modern without being aggressive.
Park it next to many mainstream midsize SUVs, and the CX-70 doesn’t look like it belongs in the same price bracket. That’s intentional.
Interior: Quiet Luxury That Reveals Itself Over Time
If the exterior earns attention, the interior earns trust.
Mazda’s cabin design philosophy has matured significantly, and the CX-70 is one of the best examples yet. The materials feel intentional. The stitching is precise. The textures are calming rather than flashy. This is not an interior designed to impress you in the first five minutes. It’s designed to age well.
The leather upholstery in the Turbo S Premium Plus trim feels durable and upscale without being overly soft. Controls move with satisfying resistance. Nothing rattles. Nothing feels like it was added as an afterthought.
I’ve driven vehicles that look premium and feel cheap after a few days. The CX-70 does the opposite. Each day, I appreciated the craftsmanship more.
This ties directly into Mazda’s broader identity question, something I explored in depth when asking whether Mazda belongs in the premium class or remains a mainstream brand, according to owners themselves. After a week in the CX-70 Turbo S Premium Plus, I’d argue Mazda is intentionally blurring that line, and succeeding.
Infotainment: Designed for Drivers, Not Distractions
Mazda continues to resist the industry’s obsession with turning dashboards into tablets, and I respect that. The infotainment system in the CX-70 strikes a thoughtful balance between modern functionality and driver focus.
The screen is large, sharp, and easy to read, but Mazda’s rotary controller remains the primary interface. Initially, some drivers may find this old-school. By day three, I found it safer and less distracting, especially at highway speeds.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration is seamless, and the premium audio system in the Turbo S Premium Plus delivers clear, balanced sound without artificial bass boost. It’s tuned for listening, not showing off.
This is infotainment that respects your attention span: something more manufacturers should consider.
Second Row Seating: Adult-Friendly and Family-Ready
The CX-70’s second row doesn’t feel like an afterthought, and that matters if you’re shopping in this segment.
Legroom is generous. Headroom is sufficient even for taller passengers. The seat cushions provide real support, not the flat, uncomfortable benches found in some rivals.
Wide-opening doors make entry and exit easy, and rear climate vents ensure passengers stay comfortable year-round. During my test week, adults sat in the back seats multiple times without complaints, which, in my experience, is one of the highest compliments a midsize SUV can receive.
These qualities are why the CX-70 deserves consideration alongside vehicles listed among the best family SUVs of 2025. It balances comfort, refinement, and usability in a way families actually notice.
Cargo Space: Designed for Real Life
On paper, the CX-70’s cargo numbers are competitive. In practice, the space is simply easy to use.
The cargo opening is wide. The load floor is low. Rear seats fold flat without effort. Whether you’re hauling groceries, luggage, sports gear, or home improvement supplies, the shape of the cargo area makes loading and unloading straightforward.
Some competitors may boast slightly higher maximum cargo capacity, but Mazda’s execution makes everyday tasks easier, and that’s what most owners actually care about.
Ride Quality: The CX-70’s Secret Weapon
If I had to name one standout trait of the 2026 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S Premium Plus, it would be ride quality.
Mazda has always prioritized how a vehicle feels rather than just how it performs on paper. The CX-70 continues that tradition. The turbocharged inline-six engine delivers smooth, linear power without drama. The transmission shifts cleanly and predictably. The suspension strikes a near-perfect balance between comfort and control.
On the highway, the CX-70 feels calm and planted. On rougher roads, it absorbs imperfections without feeling floaty or disconnected. And yes, even after hitting that pothole hard enough to destroy two tires, the vehicle remained composed enough to bring me to safety.
That kind of stability builds trust.
Turbo S Premium Plus: Where Mazda’s Vision Comes Together
This trim level represents the CX-70 at its best.
The Turbo S Premium Plus brings together Mazda’s most powerful engine option, its most refined interior materials, and its most advanced driver assistance technologies. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and collision mitigation systems all work smoothly without being intrusive.
I’ve driven the plug-in hybrid variant as well, and while that model takes the CX-70 in a different direction, the turbocharged version feels more cohesive for drivers who prioritize engagement and refinement. That contrast reminded me of my earlier experience when reviewing the CX-70 PHEV Premium Plus and how it approaches the road differently.
Different powertrains, same Mazda philosophy.
Competitors: Where the CX-70 Truly Stands Out
The midsize SUV segment is crowded with strong players. Toyota, Lexus, Acura, and others all bring compelling options. But the CX-70 distinguishes itself through balance rather than extremes.
When examining how the Toyota Crown Signia stacks up against the Mazda CX-70, one thing becomes clear: Mazda emphasizes driving engagement and interior craftsmanship, while some competitors lean more heavily on brand reputation or hybrid efficiency.
The CX-70 may not have the same luxury badge recognition as some rivals, but it delivers substance where it matters most: behind the wheel and inside the cabin.
Advanced Safety & Driver Assistance: Beyond the Basics
While Mazda’s i-Activsense safety suite was mentioned briefly in the review, it’s worth unpacking the breadth and real-world utility of these systems: especially in a premium-leaning SUV like the CX-70 Turbo S Premium Plus. Mazda equips this trim with a robust list of advanced driver assistance technologies, including adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, lane-centering assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and traffic-jam assist. What distinguishes Mazda’s implementation is the calm and consistent behavior of these systems. Rather than jerkily intervening or ping-ponging between settings, the CX-70’s safety suite tends to operate in a more intuitive, human-centric way, reacting smoothly to traffic changes and providing helpful prompts without overstepping into annoyance.
Equally important is how these systems perform in everyday driving conditions. During my week with the vehicle, I found the adaptive cruise and lane-centering combo to be particularly reassuring on long highway stretches. On slower suburban roads, traffic-jam assist significantly reduced fatigue by maintaining both steering and braking control in stop-and-go situations: a real quality-of-life feature for daily commuters. For buyers weighing this SUV against rivals, understanding how these technologies feel in use - not just that they exist - can be a major deciding factor. Mazda’s suite here proves that advanced safety can be both comprehensive and genuinely supportive, rather than just a checkbox on a spec sheet.
Fuel Economy, Daily Costs & Real-World Efficiency
One area often overlooked in initial reviews, but essential for long-term ownership satisfaction, is fuel economy and operating cost, particularly for a turbocharged midsize SUV with premium ambitions. Mazda rates the Turbo S Premium Plus with an inline-six turbocharged engine that naturally prioritizes performance and smooth power delivery over outright efficiency. In real-world mixed driving (a blend of highway, suburban cruising, and city traffic), my average hovered closer to the mid-20s mpg range, depending on conditions and driving style. That’s respectable for a vehicle this size with this level of output, but buyers should understand that spirited driving or heavy traffic will bring that figure down.
Beyond the pump, ownership cost considerations also include maintenance, insurance, and residual value expectations. Mazda has historically held strong resale values compared to many mainstream rivals, which can soften long-term ownership costs if you plan to sell or trade in after a few years. Insurance costs for the Turbo S Premium Plus trim, with its high-level safety features and curb appeal, tended to come in competitive with other non-luxury midsize SUVs when I requested preliminary quotes. And while turbocharged engines sometimes raise concerns about future maintenance costs, Mazda’s reputation for durability and the availability of standard roadside assistance (which came in handy on my test week) both help offset long-term ownership anxieties. In short, this SUV doesn’t just impress in performance and comfort - it holds its own in the real economics of daily life on the road.
Performance Beyond the Numbers: Towing, Handling & Terrain Capability
When prospective buyers look at a turbo-powered SUV like the CX-70 Turbo S Premium Plus, they often focus on horsepower and torque figures, and Mazda delivers competitive numbers in that regard. But what’s equally important - and less frequently discussed in mainstream coverage - is how that power translates into real performance tasks like towing, handling with a load, or navigating uneven terrain.
Every nonhybrid Mazda CX 70 is powered by a turbocharged 3.3 liter inline six engine that produces 280 horsepower in standard form and steps up to a strong 340 horsepower in the S trims and that power is delivered through a smooth and responsive eight speed automatic transmission that prioritizes refinement and confident everyday driving over aggressive shifting behavior.
Mazda equips the Turbo S Premium Plus with a capable all-wheel-drive system and a strong engine, which combine to provide a confident towing experience for small trailers, boats, or gear haulers. In practical terms, this SUV feels stable and controlled even when towing near its recommended capacity - not twitchy or strained. The system manages weight distribution well, and the steering feedback remains communicative, which isn’t always the case in this segment. For buyers with active lifestyles, that translates into genuine versatility rather than compromise.
Handling on twisty roads is another area where the CX-70 stands out. Mazda’s suspension tuning, with its focus on balanced dynamics, gives the SUV a road-connected feel that many rivals lack. Whether you’re passing slower traffic or navigating rolling backroads, the CX-70 inspires confidence without harshness. Even on uneven pavement or occasional gravel, conditions where many crossover SUVs feel unsettled, this Mazda remains composed. This kind of driving confidence, where the chassis feels literate and predictable, enhances daily enjoyment and reassures owners that their SUV is up to more than just errands and commuting.
The 2026 Mazda CX-70 Is Premium That Feels Earned, Not Marketed
After seven days with the 2026 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S Premium Plus, capped by an unforgettable pothole incident, I walked away impressed, grounded, and a little more convinced of Mazda’s direction as a brand.
This SUV doesn’t rely on hype or exaggerated claims. It delivers real refinement, real comfort, and real confidence. It feels premium not because it says so, but because it behaves like it is.
As someone who has spent 15 years evaluating vehicles for TorqueNews.com, I can say this with confidence: the CX-70 is one of Mazda’s most complete vehicles to date.
Now I want to hear from you.
Do you believe the Mazda CX-70 belongs in the same conversation as traditional luxury SUVs?
Would you choose thoughtful refinement over brand prestige when shopping in this segment?
Please, share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Your perspective matters.
Armen Hareyan is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.
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