I had the honor of being a part of the Mazda Holiday Drive. That means I used the 2026 Mazda CX-70 as my sleigh during that Christmas crunch time to finish up shopping, travel, and fight winter conditions. While this SUV isn’t perfect, it knocks some things out of the park. 

Challenge accepted: Tackling the holidays with the 2026 Mazda CX-70

First of all, the 2026 Mazda CX-70 is the same size as the CX-90. It’s the largest option in the class, but it doesn’t have a third row to maximize rear passenger and cargo space. It’s noticeably larger than the CX-5 and CX-50, without being inconvenient. 

Also, here are a few potential CX-70 drawbacks: 

• The ground clearance is a bit low at 8.1 inches for my needs in the woods. But that’s great for city driving and lighter off-roading trails. I would like for a beefier off-road trim to happen.
• While the suede interior is elegant and upscale, the material makes me nervous. It seems like it would be easy to stain and hard to clean. The holidays come with random snacks for kids to carry! 
• The undercarriage seems to have a little heft and pull around sharp curves. The CX-50 has sportier handling. 
• Remote start is on the Mazda App instead of the key fob. 

Now here’s to the good! 

1. The CX-70 is comfortable 

If you need to run errands or take road trips to see your folks, the 2026 Mazda CX-70 is a great place to spend time on the road. It has a smooth ride and a quiet interior for a relaxing time behind the wheel. 

The front seats are supportive and well-padded for hours of ergonomic comfort. The backseat has plenty of leg room for passengers as well. 

The HVAC system heats up the SUV very quickly on frosty cold mornings. The windshield defrosts at an impressive rate as the heated steering wheel and seats get things toasty. 

Plus, if you wear your winter coat but can’t take it off while driving, the ventilated seats will keep you cool. IT managed to keep a hot flash at bay. 

2. The 2026 Mazda CX-70 is spacious 

The 2026 Mazda CX-70 provides 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and up to 75.3 cubic feet total. Plus, there’s extra underfloor storage and a cargo cover to keep surprise presents out of view from wandering eyes. 

The glove box, center console, and door pockets provide a decent amount of storage space. However, other SUVs have a pass-through cubby under the gear shifter. If you need extra room, take advantage of the roof rails. Plus, the CX-70 can tow up to 5,000 lbs. 

3. The tech has your back 

I like the infotainment system in the 2026 Mazda CX-70 and can live without the touchscreen. It’s controlled by a rotary dial system that’s extremely easy to master, and it helps you stay focused on the road. 

Crucial driver information is displayed on the digital gauge cluster and infotainment screen, including the blind spot warning. Also, the vehicle will quickly call you out for being distracted or tired when it’s time for a break. 

The safety systems provide extra confidence without being too sensitive with loud alerts, and the adaptive cruise control system is very intelligent as it quickly responds to changing traffic conditions. 

Apple CarPlay is easy to connect in seconds without the need for a cable. It holds a steady connection, and the settings are simple to adjust. 

4. There’s turbocharged fun and convenience 

Sometimes Santa needs things to get done quickly, and he can trust the 2026 Mazda CX-70 for that. The available Turbo S 3.3-liter inline-six engine provides 340 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. 

It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 6.2 seconds, with plenty of muscle for passing others and merging into traffic. The steering is direct, and the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters provide even more precision during lively jaunts. 

Plus, the SUV is surprisingly agile with a 19-foot turning radius. It has a 360-degree camera, but you don’t need it to quickly squeeze in and out of tight parking spaces. 

5. The Mazda CX-70 is ready for winter conditions 

Mazda SUVs are underrated when it comes to winter driving. The 2026 Mazda CX-70 has standard AWD and features an off-road mode with downhill descent control to keep your family safe in slippery conditions. 

The i-ACTIV AWD system confidently distributes power to all wheels in changing conditions for a stable performance and enhanced control. 

With its turbo engines, hybrid powertrain, or PHEV system, the CX-70 has something to offer every family with comfort and elegance to handle holiday stress with ease.