2026 Mazda CX-90 vs. 2026 Mazda CX-70: Which Mazda SUV Should You Choose?

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 is the better choice if you need three rows, while the 2026 Mazda CX-70 is the better choice if you want a two-row Mazda SUV with simpler cargo flexibility. Both SUVs share a similar premium Mazda feel, standard i-Activ AWD, available plug-in hybrid power, and confident turbocharged performance, but they are built around different daily priorities.¹ ² ³ ⁴

At Nucar Mazda of New Castle, this comparison comes up often because both SUVs make sense for drivers around New Castle, Wilmington, and the Route 13/N Dupont Highway corridor. The right answer usually depends less on horsepower and more on how you use your back seats.

Quick Take: CX-90 vs. CX-70

Choose the 2026 Mazda CX-90 if you want:

• Three-row seating
• Seating for up to eight passengers on select Inline 6 configurations
• A family-friendly SUV for school routines, road trips, and extra guests
• Available gas and plug-in hybrid powertrains
• Strong passenger flexibility without leaving the Mazda SUV lineup

Choose the 2026 Mazda CX-70 if you want:

• Two-row seating for five
• A cargo-focused layout without a third row to fold or manage
• A refined larger Mazda SUV feel with a cleaner passenger layout
• Available gas and plug-in hybrid powertrains
• A strong fit for commuters, couples, smaller households, and active drivers who value usable cargo room

In plain terms, the CX-90 is the Mazda SUV to compare first when people-hauling matters. The CX-70 is the Mazda SUV to compare first when five seats are enough and cargo flexibility matters more.

2026 Mazda CX-90 vs. CX-70 Specs

Shop new Mazda CX-90 inventory Shop new Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid inventory

Shop new Mazda CX-70 inventory Shop new Mazda CX-70 Plug-In Hybrid inventory

What’s New for 2026?

For 2026, the CX-90 lineup includes updates such as a new 3.3 Turbo S Premium Sport trim and Amazon Alexa integration. The CX-70 PHEV also gets meaningful updates for 2026, including SC and SC Plus trims, EV drive mode, and an EPA-estimated electric-only range reported at 30 miles.⁵ ⁶

Those updates do not change the basic shopper decision. The CX-90 remains the three-row choice. The CX-70 remains the two-row choice for drivers who want a more open cargo-first layout.

Which Mazda SUV Has Three Rows?

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 has three rows, making it the better fit if you regularly carry more than five people. Select CX-90 Inline 6 configurations seat up to eight passengers, while the CX-90 PHEV seats seven.

That third row is the major difference. It gives the CX-90 a real advantage for parents, grandparents, carpoolers, and anyone who wants room for extra passengers without stepping up to a different brand. Around New Castle, that could mean weekday school routines near the Colonial School District and a full vehicle headed toward Lums Pond on the weekend.

The CX-90 also makes sense if your passenger needs change from day to day. Use all three rows when you need them, fold the rear seats when cargo matters more, and keep the comfortable second row available for daily driving.

Which Mazda SUV Has More Cargo Flexibility?

The 2026 Mazda CX-70 is the more cargo-focused choice because it removes the third row entirely. Instead of asking you to fold or manage a rearmost seat, the CX-70 gives you a straightforward five-passenger cabin with a useful cargo area behind the second row.

That makes the CX-70 easy to recommend for couples, empty nesters, commuters, and smaller families who rarely need extra seating. If your usual routine involves work bags, groceries, luggage, golf clubs, sports gear, or weekend cargo instead of third-row passengers, the CX-70 has a strong case.

The CX-70 also has a slightly more focused personality. It feels like the Mazda SUV for drivers who want space, presence, and refinement without buying more seating than they need.

CX-90 vs. CX-70 Performance

The CX-90 and CX-70 are closely matched under the hood. Both offer a 3.3-liter turbocharged inline-six mild hybrid powertrain, with standard-output versions rated at 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. Turbo S versions raise output to up to 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque when using recommended premium fuel.

Both SUVs also offer a plug-in hybrid setup. The CX-90 PHEV uses an e-SKYACTIV PHEV 2.5L engine and electric motor system rated at 323 horsepower and up to 369 lb-ft of torque with recommended premium fuel. The CX-70 PHEV offers up to 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque with recommended premium fuel.

Standard i-Activ AWD and an 8-speed automatic transmission help both SUVs feel confident on wet roads, daily commutes, and highway runs toward Wilmington or Newark. The performance decision is not really CX-90 vs. CX-70. It is more about whether you prefer the standard turbo inline-six, the stronger Turbo S tuning, or the plug-in hybrid setup.

CX-90 vs. CX-70 PHEV: Electric Range and Hybrid Performance

The CX-90 PHEV and CX-70 PHEV both give Mazda SUV shoppers a way to add plug-in hybrid flexibility. That means you can use electric driving for shorter trips when charged, while still having a gas engine available for longer drives.

The CX-90 PHEV is the plug-in hybrid to choose if you want three rows. Mazda lists the 2026 CX-90 PHEV with an EPA-estimated EV range of 27 miles and a total range of up to 500 miles.

The CX-70 PHEV is the plug-in hybrid to choose if you want five seats and a more cargo-focused layout. For 2026, the CX-70 PHEV is rated at 61 combined MPGe, and current 2026 coverage reports an EPA-estimated electric-only range of 30 miles.

For many shoppers, the question is simple: do you want plug-in hybrid capability with a three-row family layout, or with a two-row cargo-first layout?

CX-90 vs. CX-70 Towing Capacity

The CX-90 and CX-70 can both support light towing needs when properly equipped, but towing capacity depends on model and configuration.

The CX-90 Inline 6 ranges from 3,500 to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped with a tow hitch. The CX-90 PHEV is rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds when properly equipped.

The CX-70 Inline 6 can tow up to 5,000 pounds on select models when properly equipped with available Towing mode and a Genuine Mazda hitch. The CX-70 PHEV can tow up to 3,500 pounds when properly equipped.

That makes either SUV useful for the right light-duty setup, but shoppers should confirm the exact towing rating, hitch equipment, passenger/cargo load, and trim configuration before planning to tow.

Interior, Technology, and Everyday Comfort

Both the 2026 Mazda CX-90 and 2026 Mazda CX-70 offer the upscale cabin experience shoppers expect from Mazda’s larger SUVs. You will find available premium materials, useful connectivity, available premium audio, and Mazda i-Activsense driver-assistance technologies across the lineup.

The CX-90 puts the emphasis on passenger movement and seating flexibility. Depending on configuration, available second-row captain’s chairs can create a more open path toward the third row, while bench-seat layouts support higher passenger capacity.

The CX-70 keeps the interior simpler. With no third row, the rear cargo area is easier to treat as everyday storage space. That can be helpful for errands, weekend bags, or daily gear when your route includes DE 141/Basin Road, I-95, or Wilmington-area commuting.

Which One Should You Test Drive First?

Start with the CX-90 if seating is your main question. Sit in all three rows, test the second-row access, fold the seats, and picture your normal passenger mix.

Start with the CX-70 if cargo space is your main question. Open the liftgate, check the rear storage area, fold the second row, and think about what you actually carry during a normal week.

Better yet, drive both back-to-back. The CX-90 and CX-70 are similar enough that the layout difference becomes the deciding factor once you see them in person.

FAQ: 2026 Mazda CX-90 vs. 2026 Mazda CX-70

Is the Mazda CX-70 just a two-row CX-90?

The CX-70 and CX-90 are closely related and share major powertrain options, but they are not aimed at the exact same shopper. The CX-70 has a two-row, five-passenger layout with a stronger cargo focus, while the CX-90 has three rows for shoppers who need more passenger flexibility.

Does the Mazda CX-70 have a third row?

No. The 2026 Mazda CX-70 is a two-row SUV with seating for five.

Does the Mazda CX-90 have a third row?

Yes. The 2026 Mazda CX-90 is a three-row SUV. Select Inline 6 configurations can seat up to eight passengers, while the CX-90 PHEV seats seven.

Which is better for families, the CX-90 or CX-70?

The CX-90 is usually the better choice for families who need more than five seats. The CX-70 can still work well for smaller households that prioritize cargo flexibility over a third row.

Do both SUVs offer a plug-in hybrid?

Yes. The 2026 Mazda CX-90 and 2026 Mazda CX-70 are both available with plug-in hybrid powertrains.

Which Mazda SUV has better electric-only range, the CX-90 PHEV or CX-70 PHEV?

The 2026 CX-70 PHEV has the higher reported electric-only range at 30 miles, while Mazda lists the 2026 CX-90 PHEV at 27 miles of EPA-estimated EV range.

Can the CX-90 and CX-70 tow?

Yes, when properly equipped. The CX-90 Inline 6 ranges from 3,500 to 5,000 pounds, while the CX-90 PHEV is rated up to 3,500 pounds. The CX-70 Inline 6 can tow up to 5,000 pounds on select models when properly equipped, while the CX-70 PHEV can tow up to 3,500 pounds.

Shop the 2026 Mazda CX-90 and CX-70 in New Castle, DE

The easiest way to compare the CX-90 and CX-70 is to sit in both, fold the seats, check the cargo area, and take a test drive. You can start online by browsing our current Mazda SUV selection:

• Shop new Mazda CX-90 inventory
• Shop new Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid inventory
• Shop new Mazda CX-70 inventory
• Shop new Mazda CX-70 Plug-In Hybrid inventory
• Value your trade
• Apply for financing

When you visit Nucar Mazda of New Castle at 172 N Dupont Hwy, New Castle, DE 19720, our team can help you compare trims, confirm current availability, review lease and finance options, and choose the Mazda SUV that fits your routine. Eligible new non-lease Mazda purchases may also include the 20/200 Protection Plan By Nucar, giving long-term shoppers another reason to feel confident. Everyone loves a Nucar!