2026 Mazda CX-70 3.3 Turbo Premium S Review

This week, I’ve had the 2026 Mazda CX-70 3.3 Turbo Premium S that comes to market as Mazda’s two-row answer for buyers who want the driving dynamics of a luxury SUV without the luxury-brand price. It shares its platform with the CX-90 but trades the third row for more cargo room and a noticeably sportier personality. The Premium S sits at the top of the lineup, pairing Mazda’s smooth turbocharged inline-six with an upscale cabin that easily competes with more expensive competitors.  So for you folks who tell me you won’t have a 4-cylinder and you don’t care about a 3^rd row seat, this is your likely answer.

Performance

Under the hood is Mazda’s excellent 3.3-liter turbocharged inline-six, assisted by a mild-hybrid system that fills in torque at low speeds and sharpens throttle response. Output tops out at 340-horsepower and 369 lb.-ft. of torque on premium fuel (slightly less on regular unleaded) making the CX-70 one of the strongest performers in its segment. For 2026, Mazda refined the hybrid calibration and shift strategy of the eight-speed automatic, resulting in smoother low-speed transitions and more decisive downshifts in Sport mode. Power delivery is linear, refined, and unusually composed for a midsize SUV. The CX-70 also offers a Tow/Haul mode on upper trims, and when equipped with the Premium Towing Package, towing capacity reaches 5,000 pounds. The S Premium only comes in all-wheel drive. This engine has a nice little rumble to it as well.

Where Mazda tends to shine is in ride and handling, and the CX-70 continues that tradition. The chassis feels planted and balanced, and the steering has a precision you typically only get in luxury crossovers. Mazda retuned the rear suspension damping for 2026 to improve stability on rougher pavement, especially with cargo onboard. On the highway, the CX-70 is quiet and confident. On back roads, it feels lighter than its size would suggest, giving it an athletic character that sets it apart from the mainstream field.

Exterior      

From the side, the CX-70 looks to be a 3-row SUV, but it is not.  The roofline slopes slightly toward the rear and the 21-inch alloy wheels look fantastic.  It has a spoiler that sits on the rear with a rear wiper exposed.  There is no visible exhaust.  The color of my review vehicle is beautiful in Jet Black Mica and the metallic paint really pops in the sun.  It proudly boasts Inline 6 badges on both front fenders.

Interior        

Inside, the Premium S cabin is a highlight. Materials and design are far above average, with soft-touch surfaces, quality stitching, and a restrained, elegant layout.  You have to label the interior as near-luxury. 

The front seats offer excellent support and, in the Premium S trim, it comes standard with ventilation for 2026. The driving position is low and sporty, more like a European SUV. Rear-seat passengers get generous legroom and comfortable seating angles, and the absence of a third row creates a much more open cabin feel and gives you more legroom. Cargo space is impressive, and the load floor is both wide and low, making it easy to handle luggage or larger items.

Mazda updated the 12.3-inch infotainment system for 2026 with faster processing, a more intuitive layout, and improved voice recognition. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connect more quickly this year, and the system now allows over-the-air updates for additional vehicle modules.

The screen handles navigation, audio, vehicle settings, drive modes, and camera views, and Premium S gets an upgraded 360-degree camera with improved resolution. An improved wireless charging pad with better cooling performance is also now standard. 

Standard Features 

The 2026 Mazda CX-70 3.3 Turbo Premium S comes standard with LED headlights and taillights, 21-inch alloy wheels, a hands-free power liftgate, a panoramic sunroof, leather-trimmed seats, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, tri-zone climate control, a 12.3-inch center display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, wireless charging, heated leather steering wheel with power tilt, a head-up display, heated second row seat, keyless entry with push-button start, and front and rear parking sensors.

Safety   

Safety and driver-assist features are extensive. Mazda refined its forward-collision logic and lane-centering accuracy for 2026, and blind-spot monitoring now detects approaching vehicles at a longer range on the highway. Intersection Collision Avoidance has been expanded to operate at slightly higher approach speeds. Adaptive cruise with stop-and-go, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, and traffic-sign recognition remain standard on the Premium S.

Options 

Options on this beauty are $100 for a cargo organizer, $215 for the retractable cargo cover, and $900 for the Premier Towing package, which enables this SUV to tow 5,000 pounds.

MPG and MSRP 

Fuel economy is rated at 23 city, 28 highway, and 25 overall and I am exceeding all three of those numbers, not even trying.  I assume it was brought to me with premium fuel, the mileage drops on regular according to Mazda.  MSRP on this ultra-loaded SUV is $55,985 which is less than a lot of the competition, especially in the luxury models.

Verdict  

In daily use, the CX-70 feels upscale without being pretentious, sporty without sacrificing comfort, and premium without reaching luxury-brand pricing. The inline-six is smooth, strong, and quiet, and it fits the character of the vehicle far better than the turbo fours found in many competitors. The cabin insulation improvements made for 2026 only add to the sense of refinement. For buyers who want a two-row SUV with lots of cargo area for luggage or the dogs, that drives exceptionally well and feels a step above the mainstream, the CX-70 3.3 Turbo Premium S checks the right boxes.

Even though they don’t use the tagline anymore, you will feel some zoom-zoom every time you get behind the wheel!