I was really disappointed to hear the latest news that the CX70 and CX90 are the same size. How much could you possibly save (both money and fuel economy) by not including the third row?
What do y'all think?

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a4...x-70-vs-cx-90/

 

I still remember many here touted CX-70/90 as potential RDX/MDX killer. IMHO, this move and CX-90 show the problem with Mazda is in the product planning. Team Acura can take a long vacation and come back next year.

It is clearly a cost saving move - as long as the transaction price reflects that, it can sell. Not much else to say, right?

 

This formula has been failing for 20 years! Let's me clarify this juts like I did a year ago when people got too excited and said Acura Watch out! Mazda is coming! I love Mazda and I own one but sorry Mazda is FAR away from Acura. Like FAAAARRRRR! Two different strategies and target markets.
Quick summary as non of these cars matched MDX's success!
Infiniti QX60 = Failed!
Audi Q7 = Failed!
Volvo XC90 = Failed!
Genesis GV80 = Failed
Lexus RX350L = Failed!
Mazda CX90 = Failed!

Now Lexus TX?? At first I thought, it will be the first car to give MDX a hard time, but after seeing one in person. The TX target market will not be the same as MDX. It will steal some sales from Acura MDX for sure. But nothing to worry for Acura. With MDX refresh planned. Acura can keep the Crown! King of 3 Row!

 

We cross-shopped the CX-90 against the MDX, and though I did really like the high-output I6 in the Mazda, the fact that it has (in my opinion) poor interior space utilization killed it for me as a family hauler. Where's the storage space, Mazda?

 

Do you actually need 3 rows or you just wanted the larger trunk vs something like the RDX?

 

Agreed that it was a complete money saving tactic by Mazda. They will not only be the laughingstock of pro reviewers but normal consumers as well!

 

The latter, though the 3rd row has already come in handy a few times. Oh, and to clarify, by "storage" I should have said things like cupholders, door cubbies, things like that. The rear hatch area in the Mazda was fine, it's the rest of the interior storage that wasn't up to my expectations.

 

I've heard that about the CX90 as well. It's too bad Mazda's newest iteration of the family hauler didn't take "family" into consideration!

One good thing that Acura does well is that it knows its market well enough (essentially all of North America) to make a compelling product. If I didn't already have a bigger car than the MDX, I might have bought it out after the lease was up.

 

I'm planning to upgrade my 18 RLX Sport Hybrid in a few years to a CUV sized vehicle (wife and I are close to 60 years old, empty nesters, roof cargo box option, hitch needed for bikes or swing out cargo box). I really love the hybrid powertrain and not ready for full BEV as a main X-country travel vehicle. I would jump 100% into a future Acura "IF" it had a hybrid powertrain option like other Japanese, Korean, and European brands. Can't wait until the real world testing of the CX70 compared to other ICE and hybrid brands. The CX70 would be my choice (on paper) compared to 2.0T RDX if I had to pick today.

 

Is the longer CX70 needed for the roof cargo box? I would imagine CX70 + bike hitch would make it more difficult to park, no?

My expectation is that the CX70 will have similar 0-60 and fuel econ numbers as the CX90 (i.e. except the PHEV, disappointing for mid-size SUV segment).

 

I used my 11 MDX and 19 MDX Sport Hybrid the same way with the option of roof box, bike rack, or StowAway Max hitch cargo carrier. We had adult size kids back them and needed the extra room (but not the 3rd row seats hauling 3-4 around. I switched to the Sport Hybrid because of the improved city mpgs and bump in performance/power at those under 50 mph speeds. It kinda suck driving 12 hours to the west coast in my 11 MDX getting 20-22 mpg hwy just to get 13-15 mpg city. Problems solved with the Sport Hybrid always getting 24-27 mpgs city/combined/hwy. Looking to replace my 18 RLX Sport Hybrid with something with more utility, taller sitting position, and smaller overall exterior size similar to our old 08 RDX. It was nice to have my 08 RDX or 11 MDX as options depending on what we needed to do for errands/vacation/fun. My 19 MDX does all the Utility now and racking up the most of the miles. I will still have my 19 MDX Sport Hybrid as back-up until around 2030.

 

Honda kind of/sort of does this with the Pilot and Passport. I am a Mazda fan but they do seem to be making some odd moves lately e.g. the CX-5 and CX-50, doesn't seem to be much of a point in this really.

Which model do you own? Mazda's fit and finish is well put together and quite a bit of quality for the money.

 

I was about to mention the Passport, but at least Honda lopped off half a foot from the rear to give it some semblance of being a slightly different vehicle. Mazda phoned it in hard here.

 

10" difference b/w the Passport and Pilot is huge! Good luck parking your "mid-size" CX70 where an older MDX barely fits!

I wanted Mazda to be somewhat competitive to the Germans but even an X5 or GLE is still a good 6"+ shorter!

 

I have a 2020 Mazda CX-5. And yes, honestly, it's a very good car. It has been flawless and interior design, fit and finish are great. But there are little things that bug me like storage, how it drives in the corner and sound system. I compared it to RDX before buying and RDX was so much more superior product. But i opted-in for CX-5 due to cost, simple is that. I got a really good deal and it was 50% cost of the RDX and not 50% lower than RDX lol

 

To add insult to injury, it looks like they left the cupholders from the CX90's third row?!!! I'm sure this is just a pre-production model. Luggage don't need drinks, right?

 

Toyota did this with the new Land Cruiser, too. No third row for North America, but the cupholders remain. The manufacturing cost savings has to be significant. I would actually put it to use - the cargo area is a pretty good place to have a container of Wet Wipes, which fit in most cupholders nicely.

 

Back in my working days I would have loved a 2-row crossover offering such a massive cargo area. With literature, samples and gear, I could easily fill up my Touareg and MKX and wish for more. I avoided 3-row crossovers because most of them have little or no underfloor storage. Even now that I'm retired there are times when I get frustrated with my GLE. Golf clubs do not fit sideways or longways, so the bag has to go corner-corner. The CX-70 is ideal for carrying lots of cargo without folding seats. Plus the second row slides forward so the cargo space can be opened up even more. But I still don't understand why they made it a distinct model. The only explanation I can come up with is that they intend to market it to a completely separate demographic, and advertising will be unique and target accordingly.

 

I don't know which MY your GLE is but a MY22 GLE has 2" more width than my X3 and I can fit a full-size cart bag sideways (albeit extremely tight). The TLX was easier as it's nearly 1" wider than the X3.

Amongst X7 and GLS owners, a common complaint of the CX90 (and possibly inherited by the CX70) is that it's extremely narrow inside!

 

I have a '21 GLE 450. My bag does not fit sideways. Interestingly, our '13 X1 - the really small one - could easily accommodate a golf bag sideways. Having cutouts behind the wheel wells is enormously beneficial for golfers.

 

I have the cutouts and that's the only way to shimmy the bag in sideways (my bag is about the same size as yours). Is the pic of your older X1?

 

Yep, that's my X1. That's an older bag, but it contained a full length driver. My current bag might have a thicker base, but I also carry a shorter driver these days, and yet the bag won't fit sideways in my GLE.

 

My top pet peeve with newer CUVs/SUVs is eliminating the spare tire and sometimes no option to add one later. I would even take a donut spare option or even a full size spare option you might need to deflate/inflate to fit inside or under the CUV/SUV. The donut and full size spare tire option would be one of my check boxes if I was deciding between the CX-70 or CX-90.

 

I read this and immediate thought of MDX as a good solution.... unless you need hybrid, why bother with the Mazda twins?

 

I don't have the cargo requirements I once did, so the golf bag is rarely an issue. That said, with the MDX finally ditching the touchpad, it will be back on my short list. Unfortunately, the Type-S is the model that suits me best, but I don't think I can tolerate the lousy fuel economy. And I won't deny I hate that third row of seats. It will never be used, so it's just adding cost and weight and taking up space. Like I said, I can relate to the customer who wouldn't buy a CX-90 but will now consider the CX-70. If only Acura would launch a 2-row "tweener" model to fit between the RDX and MDX ... an Acura-ized Passport so-to-speak.

 

I prefer the MDX to the RDX but I have no use for the third row either.

 

I am always reserved towards products that are announced as "killer_____" and usually listed is the competition level product.
I would say, 99 times out of 100 times I would not buy the "new" flashy killer, for example, the Mazda CX SUV, compared to MDX. Car design, the technology thrown into the car, does not make it A GREAT CAR. What a great car is the product if it comes from a reputable manufacturer. In this case, I would never go with Mazda because in the past two decades, I have never heard anything overwhelmingly positive about it that would tarnish my first pick of Japanese manufacturers like Honda/Acura or even Toyota/Lexus. I think that Honda/Acura offers a little more performance than Toyota, and styling is also something I prefer - while at the same time being pretty reliable... Mazda, Nissan/Infiniti, or any Korean car brands, I am simply not even looking at them, not considering them, just a no for me

 

Prior to purchasing our MDX we started shopping at the Mazda dealer, they had a couple used SUV's we wanted to look at. We test drove a Volvo XC90, then a VW Atlas, then a Bronco. The only one she liked was the Volvo but it had white interior and being used you could see that wasn't going to stay white. I liked the bronco but being a manual my wife wasn't interested, as well as it lack of features like power seats, etc. Anyway, before we went on our last test drive, we had said we were going to look at a couple MDX's. When we got back from the Bronco drive, he had a CX70 sitting there to show us. My wife wouldn't even walk over to it - her words, I will never drive a Mazda... Long story short, we went to the Acura dealer to look at a 2020 MDX and it was sitting next to a 2023 - we bought the 2023

 

As I mentioned above, Mazda makes some great cars with beautiful design but if you drive Mazda and Acura like I do. You will understand Mazda is not Acura and there is no competition. Of course, we all cross shop and check but in reality, Mazda is not in the same league as Acura.

I will pick up a Mazda any day over the Koreans though.

 

Fail…Mazda just announced reduced pricing on their cx90. I think they priced themselves out of the mass market segment. Mazda is a ‘mass’ market manufacturer despite low sales volume. They are not and have never been a ‘luxury’ brand.

 

Reduced pricing only applies to the US as the pricing for Canada was probably the "proper" pricing since last year (as much as $4k difference)!

Since the CX70 is the same price as the CX90, who the hell is going to buy a car w/less options?!!!

 

Seems to me that the only difference between the 70 and 90 up here in Canada are wheels and a few paint options. That said, the Zircon Sand and Melting Copper do look really, really nice.

 

I may be answering my own inquiry as I write this post. My 22 MDX Advance Lease expires August (can't believe how fast almost 3 years went by). I have about 21K miles on the clock - by that time- with a Buyout price of $38,500. That is very attractive but like all things one should leave options open and dig into a possible alternatives. The Mazda CX-70 is one consideration. I really don't need a 3 Row SUV, but I picked the 22 MDX because I really dug the redesign, the looks, the feel, the roominess, the seating comfort, the whole shooting match. I even put the TTIP to the side especially after I test drove her in 2021 after watching countless YT review videos. Mine has been trouble free. Other competitor models ( you know who they are) are simply too Much $$$$$. The Mazda became attractive for two reasons: The TURBO S Premium Plus model CX-70 is more powerful with Type S power / Torque for $13-14L less compared to the Type S and the Non Type S like mine, for a new 2024 /2025 is about $4 -5 K more than the PP CX-70 Turbo S. The extra HP/Torque is attractive to me for sure (I may be 72 YO, but Not DEad Yet!!) for less money for anew one does "wink" at me.

Having said that, the $38,500 is very attractive option. Doing that probably makes the most sense, leaving me with more options down the immediate road if I so desire. IMHO, my MDX could probably fetch $46-48K for my MDX in Excellent condition (except for some "curbed Wheels") with 21K Miles on the clock, comparing various offerings on Acura Dealer sites. I could also await the release of the new 2025 RDX - initial renderings look dynamic and there has been whispers of a Gas/Electric Hybrid - a model more powerful than the new CRVs. EVs or PHEVs (that could be a remote possibility) are NOT desired by me.

 

Why does everything have to be a "killer"? I cant recall the last time Mazda killed anything in my lifetime.

 

Drove the cx70 turbo premium plus and I can say it’s not an mdx killer…at all. While it’s an attractive vehicle the seats are horrible (8 way power) and the stereo is awful. To be honest the turbo inline is a bit of a slouch as well. The transmission is an odd one too being that it doesn’t have a torque converter.

 

THX for that honest Review. You may have saved some time and helped me make my decision. My 22 MDX Advance, Fathom Blue Pearl with Grey Leather interior lease matures in August. I have only 20K miles on the Clock with a Buyout at $38,500!. I have two optiions offered by Acura Financial : 1) Buy it from them now or 2) Extend the lease up to 6 months which will incorporate a further reduction of the buyout price (est to $35,00) , then Buy it. By my calculations, applying my $610 a month payment for 6 months with those FV numbers, the lease rate is about 3.25%. I could keep the funds (which I will take as a Required Minimum Distribution [RMDs] from my IRA - I'm turning 73 this year, so RMDs are now applicable) invested in a 4-6 month T-Bill at 5.35% and make about 2% for keeping the money "in the Bank" so to speak.

I was wrestling with looking at other vehicles, and the Mazda CX-90 (or CX-70) was a consideration as well as a new RDX. I really don't require a 3 Row SUV , but I do enjoy the comfort and the room. I truly enjoy my 22 MDX in all respects - it Still "Winks" at me everyday sitting in my driveway. I pine for that Turbo S six from Mazda, but your comments may be putting that idea to Bed. Buying my MDX at these prices - seeing low mileage MDXs on my dealer lots at $49K+ + gives me that ability to look at the new upcomeing 25 RDX in the upcoming months too.

 

The 25 RDX is probably not going to be better than your MDX, and is going to cost you more. The 25 RDX technology refresh would at best bring it on par with 22 MDX, so unless you want to switch to a smaller car, I feel MDX is the better choice.

Also a curveball suggestion. For similar price to buy out your MDX, I would consider getting a used MDX Type-S. It will be a significant upgrade, except for the fuel economy.

 

I extended the lease on my 22 MDX Advance with only 20.6K miles which matured August 2024 for 6 months at the same pay rate of $610/Mo. The current Residual of $38,500 (the Buyout ) will be reduced to $35,400 by February 2025. My dealer was "pushing" me toward a new 25 MDX Advance for consideration. After looking at the initial numbers and sadly that I have very little "equity" in my current vehicle, I have decided to hold off doing anything now. I just saw the first PA of the new 25 RDX - sadly Acura decided to NOT incoprorate the new Touch Screen and other touches form the 25 MDX. I'm not a fan of the TTIP even after 3 years. However, getting a new Touchscreen, massaging seats, and a B&O stereo (the ELS system in my MDX is Plenty good - spectacular in fact to me) for $66K+ MSRP equating to a new lease at upwards of $750+ per month (with the same Upfront $$$$ form the 22 MDXlease parameters) is not worth it.

I will take Sonyfever's advice, and Look around for a 23 or 24 Type S for consideration.

 

They killed the Millenia, 626, 929 😆 🤣