2025 Mazda CX‑70 MHEV: Minimalist Luxury with Maximum Swagger

It’s not often you get to experience a vehicle that doesn’t just show up to the luxury SUV party — but manages to blend in and stand out all at once. The all-new 2025 Mazda CX‑70 Signature MHEV does exactly that.

I recently took it out on a curated test route from Toronto to Friday Harbour — one of my favourite drives for both scenery and surface variety — and this SUV didn’t just make the trip; it elevated the experience. With quick detours through Barrie’s lakeside, a smooth cruise through Innisfil’s backroads, and a lunch stop near Big Bay Point, I had plenty of road types to work with — asphalt, pavement, curves, elevation shifts — and the CX‑70 handled it all with unflinching composure.

Power Meets Poise

Let’s talk specs. Under the hood, the CX‑70 Signature features Mazda’s 3.3L turbocharged inline-6 with M Hybrid Boost. It churns out 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, which made overtaking on Hwy 400 feel effortless — even with a full cabin and gear in the back. And thanks to a rear-biased AWD system and Kinematic Posture Control, the vehicle hugs curves far better than a 2,200 kg SUV should.

You can tow up to 5,000 lbs, so hauling a trailer, jet ski, or even a compact boat isn’t just marketing fluff — it’s real capability.

Refined Without Trying Too Hard

Where Lexus tends to overdesign and Acura often feels like it’s trying to remind you it’s sporty, Mazda’s CX‑70 hits a refined, almost Scandinavian rhythm. The Windsor Tan Nappa leather seats (with contrast piping), minimalist dash, and Dark Arbour interior accents don’t scream luxury — they whisper it. The result is a calm, curated environment that feels mature, not manufactured.

One note: the gear shifter is a bit unconventional. It’s firm and secure, but the gate layout takes some getting used to. Once it clicks, though, it becomes second nature.

That minimalism doesn’t come at the cost of tech, either: Mazda’s See-Through View 360° monitor, head-up display, and lane-centering with head-on traffic avoidance are thoughtful touches that worked flawlessly throughout the trip. Even when navigating tight parking near Friday Harbour’s boardwalk, visibility and driver confidence were top-tier.

Designed to Turn Heads

From a distance, the CX‑70’s silhouette evokes a bit of Volvo XC90 — especially in the tall, athletic posture and confident stance. But where Volvo plays it wide and squared, Mazda stretches things longer, giving the CX‑70 a sleeker, almost grand tourer feel. The panel proportions are clean and deliberate, giving the vehicle a lengthened, refined look that works beautifully.

The LED lighting design — both front and rear — is another high note. Sharp, modern, and unmistakably Mazda. Whether pulling into a resort valet or lit up in your driveway, the CX‑70 makes an impression. It has road presence. The kind that doesn't rely on size alone — but on design confidence.

Priced to Punch Above Its Weight

Now let’s get real. In a segment filled with badge-driven buying, the CX‑70 Signature proves that you don’t need to drop BMW or Genesis money to drive something that looks, feels, and drives like a premium SUV.

• At $64,995 as tested, it undercuts the BMW X5 by at least $20K while offering a comparable powertrain and AWD feel.

• It beats the Lexus RX 500h in actual performance and driver connection, and

• It’s more emotionally refined than the Acura MDX, which is still chasing a sport-luxury balance Mazda nails instinctively.

• And while the Lincoln Nautilus may have the best tech and lounge lighting for the perfect sanctuary, the CX‑70 has soul — especially when viewed in that rich, lustrous black.

Final Word

The 2025 CX‑70 [Signature] is proof that Mazda’s premium pivot is complete. It’s not just "premium for Mazda"; it’s premium, period. It feels purposeful, composed, and confident — on the road and in the parking lot. If you’re looking for a two-row SUV with real power, genuine elegance, and a price that respects your budget while indulging your senses, this is your move. This is luxury that doesn’t need to shout — because it knows exactly who it is.