Mazda’s lineup has a clear size ladder, and the CX-70 sits at the top of the two-row side of it. It’s built on the same larger platform as the three-row CX-90, but keeps the extra row out in favor of more front and second-row space, a genuinely quiet cabin, and an inline-six turbo engine that feels more premium than the price tag suggests. If you’ve outgrown a CX-5 or CX-50 but don’t need three rows, the CX-70 is the obvious next step, and Team Mazda of El Cajon carries the full 2026 lineup, gas and plug-in hybrid alike.
The 2026 CX-70 spans seven trims across two powertrain families. The standard e-Skyactiv 3.3-liter Inline 6 Turbo, found in the Preferred, Premium, and Premium Plus trims, produces 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque on regular fuel, paired with an eight-speed automatic and M Hybrid Boost mild-hybrid assistance. Step up to a Turbo S Premium or Turbo S Premium Plus trim and output climbs to 340 hp and 369 lb-ft on premium fuel. Standard i-Activ AWD comes on every trim, and towing capacity runs from 3,500 pounds on the base Preferred up to 5,000 pounds on Premium trims and above once Towing mode and a genuine hitch are equipped. The CX-70 PHEV SC and PHEV SC Plus round out the lineup with 323 hp, 369 lb-ft of torque, and an EPA-estimated 30 miles of electric-only range.
A lot of El Cajon driving is a mix of long freeway stretches and tighter city streets, and the CX-70 handles both without feeling like two different vehicles. Mazda’s Kinematic Posture Control applies light braking to the inside rear wheel through corners to keep the ride settled, while Mi-Drive’s Sport, Off-Road, and Towing modes adjust the powertrain depending on whether you’re merging onto the 8 or heading toward the mountains with a trailer behind you. Standard i-Activsense safety features, including Blind Spot Monitoring and Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go, make the longer commutes and road trips down to the coast noticeably less tiring.
Step inside a Premium Plus or Turbo S trim and the CX-70 doesn’t feel like a mainstream SUV. Nappa leather seating, available in black or red, comes on the higher trims, along with heated and ventilated front seats and a panoramic moonroof that opens the cabin up considerably. A 12.3-inch touchscreen handles infotainment with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while Turbo S trims add a 360-degree View Monitor and Trailer Hitch View to make tighter parking and hitching up a trailer less of a guessing game. Behind the second row, there’s 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 75.3 cubic feet with the seats folded flat.
If your daily driving is mostly local, the CX-70 PHEV is worth serious consideration before you default to a gas trim. With roughly 30 miles of electric-only range, a lot of El Cajon commuters could handle weekday driving almost entirely on electricity, then use the gas engine for longer trips without any range anxiety. The tradeoff is towing capacity, since PHEV trims max out at 3,500 pounds versus 5,000 on Premium and Turbo S gas trims. If towing a trailer or boat is part of your routine, a gas trim still makes more sense.
The CX-70 and CX-90 share a platform, a turbo inline-six, and most of their technology, but the CX-90 adds a third row for families who occasionally need seating for six or seven. If you don’t need that extra row, the CX-70’s two-row layout gives you more second-row legroom and cargo space in the same overall footprint. It’s worth comparing the two directly if you’re not sure whether you’ll ever actually use a third row.
We work with drivers from El Cajon, San Diego, La Mesa, Santee, and Chula Vista, and our finance team regularly structures deals for a wide range of credit situations, not just the straightforward ones. You can apply for financing online before you visit to save time, and if you’re trading in a current vehicle, you can value your trade to see what it might be worth toward your CX-70. Offers and lease terms change often on a vehicle at this price point, so it’s worth checking current new vehicle specials before you lock in a trim.
If you’d rather not pay new-vehicle pricing, our certified pre-owned inventory is worth a look, since CPO Mazda vehicles come with extended warranty coverage and a documented inspection process behind them. Whichever way you go, schedule a test drive online and we’ll have the CX-70 trim you’re interested in ready when you arrive.
Turbo Preferred trims tow up to 3,500 pounds, while Premium, Premium Plus, and both Turbo S trims tow up to 5,000 pounds when equipped with Towing mode and a genuine Mazda hitch. PHEV trims tow up to 3,500 pounds.
Turbo trims produce 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque on regular fuel, while Turbo S trims step up to 340 hp and 369 lb-ft on premium fuel, along with additional tech features like a 360-degree View Monitor on higher trims.
The 2026 CX-70 PHEV is EPA-estimated at up to 30 miles of electric-only range, which covers a lot of local El Cajon driving before the gas engine needs to engage.
You can schedule a test drive online or contact us directly, and we’ll have the CX-70 trim you’re interested in ready when you arrive.
