The 2025 Mazda CX-70 has made headlines by earning the coveted Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), underscoring Mazda’s continued commitment to producing vehicles that prioritize safety. The award comes after rigorous crashworthiness testing, where the CX-70 emerged with impressive scores across multiple categories. This accolade solidifies the SUV’s position as one of the safest mid-size utility vehicles available on the market, albeit with minor room for improvement in headlight performance.
Mazda’s latest offering is positioned as a slightly more compact sibling to the CX-90, with which it shares the same platform and rear-wheel-drive-oriented architecture. The CX-70 debuted in January 2024 for the 2025 model year and offers a mix of powertrains, including a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six and a plug-in hybrid option.
Crash Test Excellence Across the Board
The IIHS recently subjected 21 different vehicles to a comprehensive series of crash tests, with the CX-70 proving its mettle in every scenario. The tests involved the mid-size SUV colliding with a stationary barrier at 40 miles per hour (64 kilometers per hour), simulating real-world accident conditions. In the moderate overlap front crash test, the vehicle’s front overlaps with the barrier by 40 percent.
To provide accurate data, the tests included two dummies: one in the driver’s seat representing an average-sized adult male, and another in the rear seat representing either a 12-year-old child or a small woman. This rear-seat dummy size choice reflects the increased risk of submarining, where the lap belt can slip over the pelvis and into the abdominal region, potentially causing severe injuries. Fortunately, the CX-70’s seatbelt design prevented any submarining, which contributed to its high safety ratings.
The IIHS awarded the CX-70 with “good” ratings in several key areas:
- Updated moderate overlap front crash test
- Original moderate overlap front crash test
- Small overlap front crash test
- Updated side impact test
These stellar scores underscore the vehicle’s robust structural integrity and occupant protection capabilities.
Safety Features and Crash Prevention Systems
In addition to crashworthiness, the CX-70 earned high marks for its seat belt reminders and front crash prevention system. The vehicle’s advanced safety technology performed admirably in both daytime and nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian scenarios, demonstrating effective automatic braking to avoid collisions.
The SUV’s all-wheel drive (AWD) configuration and advanced safety suite ensure that drivers and passengers are well-protected under various road and weather conditions. These features enhance the CX-70’s appeal for safety-conscious consumers seeking reliable transportation.
Headlight Performance: The Only Weak Spot
Despite its stellar performance in crash tests, the CX-70’s headlight performance left room for improvement. All trims of the SUV come equipped with projector-type LED low and high beams featuring high-beam assistance. However, the IIHS noted that the low beams offered insufficient visibility on the left side of the road and in left-hand curves. Similarly, the high beams fell short on both gradual and sharp left curves.
While this shortcoming did not prevent the CX-70 from achieving the Top Safety Pick+ award, enhancing headlight performance could further solidify its safety credentials in future models.
Powertrain Options and Performance
The CX-70 offers a range of powertrains designed to meet diverse consumer needs. The standard engine is a 3.3-liter mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six available in two configurations:
- 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) of torque
- 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) of torque
For those prioritizing fuel efficiency, Mazda also offers a 2.5-liter four-cylinder plug-in hybrid. This powertrain delivers 56 MPGe and offers up to 26 miles (42 kilometers) of all-electric range.
Regardless of the powertrain choice, the CX-70 achieves an estimated fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon (9.4 liters per 100 kilometers) on the combined cycle, making it an efficient option for a mid-size SUV.
Competitive Edge and Pricing
Built on Mazda’s Large Product Group platform, the CX-70 shares similarities with the Mazda CX-60, which is marketed outside of North America. Its rear-biased design positions it as a direct competitor to the Jeep Grand Cherokee, another mid-size SUV with off-road capabilities.
The starting price for the CX-70 is $40,445, making it slightly more expensive than the base model of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which starts at $36,495. However, the CX-70 offers a richer set of features and a more refined driving experience compared to the Grand Cherokee’s base model equipped with the aging Pentastar V6 engine.
Conclusion
The 2025 Mazda CX-70’s achievement of the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award highlights the vehicle’s outstanding safety credentials and modern design. While headlight performance could be improved, the SUV’s crashworthiness, advanced safety features, and competitive powertrain options make it a compelling choice for buyers seeking a safe and stylish mid-size SUV.
What is the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award?
The IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award is the highest safety designation given by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. To earn this award, a vehicle must receive “good” ratings in multiple crashworthiness tests and achieve high scores in safety features like crash prevention systems and headlight performance.
How did the 2025 Mazda CX-70 perform in crash tests?
The 2025 Mazda CX-70 performed exceptionally well in all crashworthiness tests conducted by the IIHS. It received “good” ratings in the updated moderate overlap front, original moderate overlap front, small overlap front, and updated side impact tests.
What safety features does the Mazda CX-70 offer?
The CX-70 comes with advanced safety features, including a front crash prevention system that works in both daytime and nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian scenarios. It also has seat belt reminders, all-wheel drive, and automatic braking technology.
What is submarining, and did the CX-70 prevent it?
Submarining occurs when a seatbelt slides over a passenger’s pelvis and into the abdominal area during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. In the IIHS tests, the CX-70 effectively prevented submarining for rear-seat passengers, contributing to its high safety ratings.
What are the issues with the CX-70’s headlights?
The IIHS noted that the CX-70’s projector-type LED headlights provided inadequate visibility on the left side of the road and in left-hand curves. Both the low and high beams fell short on left curves, which slightly impacted its overall safety evaluation.
What powertrain options are available for the Mazda CX-70?
The CX-70 offers two primary powertrain options: a 3.3-liter mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six available in two output levels (280 hp and 340 hp) and a 2.5-liter four-cylinder plug-in hybrid. Both powertrains come with all-wheel drive as standard.
How does the CX-70 compare to the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The CX-70 competes directly with the Jeep Grand Cherokee. While the Grand Cherokee’s base model starts at a lower price of $36,495, the CX-70 offers more advanced features and a refined driving experience, starting at $40,445.
What is the fuel efficiency of the Mazda CX-70?
The CX-70’s 3.3-liter mild-hybrid engine delivers an estimated fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon (9.4 liters per 100 kilometers). The plug-in hybrid variant achieves 56 MPGe and offers up to 26 miles (42 kilometers) of all-electric range.
Is the Mazda CX-70 available outside of North America?
The CX-70 is primarily marketed in North America. Its counterpart for international markets is the slightly narrower Mazda CX-60, which shares the same platform and design philosophy.
