2025 MAZDA CX-70 PHEV DRIVING REVIEW: EXCELLENT INTERIOR, DECENT PERFORMANCE

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The 2025 Mazda CX-70 Premium Plus PHEV offers a luxurious and comfortable interior with excellent chassis dynamics and ride quality, as noted by the reviewer. However, the plug-in hybrid powertrain, while delivering respectable total output (323 hp, 369 lb-ft), is criticized for lacking refinement. The reviewer found the electric motor's output to be adequate but not abundant, often hitting its threshold and requiring the internal combustion engine to engage. The 8-speed automatic transmission is also cited for unrefined, delayed, and laggy shifts, particularly when the battery charge is low. Real-world efficiency was around 40 MPG combined over 100 miles, with an EPA-rated 26 miles of electric-only range. A significant point of contention is the CX-70's value proposition, being priced nearly identically to the CX-90 despite lacking the third row, leading the reviewer to question its benefit over the larger sibling. The reviewer suggests the inline-6 Turbo S might be a more refined choice if not consistently plugging in the PHEV.