2026–27 Mazda CX-70 vs Mazda CX-90: We Compared the Data

By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score

Our pick: the CX-90 — it leads our weighted scorecard 2–0 across 4 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($39,700 vs $42,750). The CX-70 doesn't win a category on our scorecard; it makes sense mainly if you find a meaningfully better deal on one locally.

Scorecard: CX-70 0 pts · CX-90 2 pts across 4 scored categories.

The scorecard

CX-70 vs CX-90 scorecard: each category, both values and the category winner
Category (weight)2026 CX-702027 CX-90Winner
Starting MSRP (2)$42,750$39,700CX-90
Best EPA combined (1.5)26 mpg26 mpgTie
Most horsepower available (1)340 hp340 hpTie
Max towing (1)5,000 lb5,000 lbTie
Median discount verified buyers got (1)—5.6% off MSRPNo data
Weighted points02CX-90

Which one we'd buy, and for whom

  • Commuter. Commuters: it's a wash — CX-70 26 mpg vs CX-90 26 mpg (best EPA combined).
  • Budget. Tight budgets: the CX-90 — $39,700 vs $42,750 (starting MSRP).
  • Towing. Towing: it's a wash — CX-70 5,000 lb vs CX-90 5,000 lb (max towing).

Price: sticker and what buyers paid

The CX-70 starts at $42,750 and tops out at $56,870; the CX-90 runs $39,700 to $58,700 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified CX-90 buyers paid a median 5.6% off MSRP across 13 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 6.6% off.

Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls

  • CX-70: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
  • CX-90: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.

Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.

Specs side by side

CX-70 vs CX-90 specifications
2026 CX-702027 CX-90
Starting MSRP (base trim)$42,750$39,700
Top-trim MSRP$56,870$58,700
Horsepower280–340 hp280–340 hp
Max torque369 lb-ft369 lb-ft
EPA combined25–26 mpg (hybrid avail.)25–26 mpg (hybrid avail.)
Max towing5,000 lb5,000 lb
Seats (standard / max)— / 5— / 8

Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.

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More on the Mazda CX-70

Related head-to-heads

FAQ

Is the CX-70 better than the CX-90?

On our data, no — the CX-90 comes out ahead. Our pick: the CX-90 — it leads our weighted scorecard 2–0 across 4 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($39,700 vs $42,750). The CX-70 doesn't win a category on our scorecard; it makes sense mainly if you find a meaningfully better deal on one locally.

Which is more reliable, the CX-70 or the CX-90?

We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet.

Which holds its value better, the CX-70 or the CX-90?

We don't have a 5-year retention figure for both models.

Which is cheaper, the CX-70 or the CX-90?

The CX-90 starts lower: $39,700 vs $42,750 starting MSRP (before destination).

Which has better gas mileage, the CX-70 or the CX-90?

It's a wash: 26 mpg vs 26 mpg best EPA combined.

How we score

Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.

  • Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
  • NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
  • 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
  • Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
  • Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
  • Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
  • Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
  • Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
  • Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
  • Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.

Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.

Cite this page: CarWhere, "2026–27 Mazda CX-70 vs Mazda CX-90: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/mazda-cx-70-vs-mazda-cx-90, updated November 8, 2026.