Calling all Mazda owners esp.cx70/90

[edyvw]

Seriously thinking about one of these. I'm leaning towards the 70 as I don't need 3rd row seating. Any issues known out there? What makes the turbo s version higher output? Different tuning? I was thinking of cross shopping the vw atlas cross sport as well as I think it's very nice looking but a little leary with reliability...any insight on these two vehicles would be appreciated.

I had VW Atlas, and the issue was cracks in the windshield. Some people have that issue, some don't.
Mechanically, VW any time over Mazda. Things I have been reading about 2.5 engines are not encouraging. Also, the transmission is definitely not on par Aisin in VW.

 

[Glenda W.]

Disclaimer: I work for the brand, but have to be honest. I think the rest of the line up punches above their class/price, but the 70/90 are disappointing to me.

Thanks for an honest review as an owner and employee. I was looking at the 70/90’s but will look elsewhere.

 

[grampi]

A CX-7 model would have been intersting slotting it between the former CX-5 and CX-9 … I prefer a traditional SUV which sits up higher than the new lower sitting model Mazdas .

I'm still trying to figure out why Mazda dropped the CX-9...we love ours, and plan on keeping it for a long time...

 

[rijndael]

Do you need a CX-9 AND a CX-90?

 

[grampi]

31mpg is only 14.8% better than 27mpg. Nothing all that crazy.

I agree, Mazdas are built cheaper than their interior look makes them appear. They creak and rattle, all while superficially looking like a Lexus. They are more like dressed up Subarus than true luxury brands.

That being said I still think they’re a good buy with good drivetrains, although I think the lack of a torque converter on the i6 is a big miss.

I completely disagree about Mazda's build quality. Our CX-9 is built far superior to the two Toyota Siennas we had previously. The build quality of this vehicle is nothing short of superb...

 

[panthermike]

31mpg is only 14.8% better than 27mpg. Nothing all that crazy.

I agree, Mazdas are built cheaper than their interior look makes them appear. They creak and rattle, all while superficially looking like a Lexus. They are more like dressed up Subarus than true luxury brands.

That being said I still think they’re a good buy with good drivetrains, although I think the lack of a torque converter on the i6 is a big miss.

My experience with our '18 CX-9 has been quite the opposite. I wouldn't call it a luxury car by any means but the interior is nice and actually has had the least amount of creaks/rattles(none) I've experienced. At 86k now and still the same.

 

[edyvw]

I completely disagree about Mazda's build quality. Our CX-9 is built far superior to the two Toyota Siennas we had previously. The build quality of this vehicle is nothing short of superb...

Sienna has its own junk quality category.

 

[cammyfive79]

My experience with our '18 CX-9 has been quite the opposite. I wouldn't call it a luxury car by any means but the interior is nice and actually has had the least amount of creaks/rattles(none) I've experienced. At 86k now and still the same.

Agree. Our '21 CX-9 Signature was legit nice; excellent build quality, quilted napa leather, real wood trim, rode well and very quiet. Our CX-90 is none of those things. I was never one to be skeptical of first year new models but our experience has made me otherwise.

 

[cammyfive79]

31mpg is only 14.8% better than 27mpg. Nothing all that crazy.

I agree, Mazdas are built cheaper than their interior look makes them appear. They creak and rattle, all while superficially looking like a Lexus. They are more like dressed up Subarus than true luxury brands.

That being said I still think they’re a good buy with good drivetrains, although I think the lack of a torque converter on the i6 is a big miss.

Almost 15% better in a larger vehicle that is heavier, has a larger engine, and with more hp/tq is actually quite remarkable.

 

[goingplacesanddoingstuff]

I completely disagree about Mazda's build quality. Our CX-9 is built far superior to the two Toyota Siennas we had previously. The build quality of this vehicle is nothing short of superb...

That’s a sample size of one. I’ve had a 2008 Mazda6, a 2015 Mazda6, a 2016 CX-5, a 2017 CX-5, and a 2024 CX-30 Turbo. I stand by what I said. They are good cars but they are not built to the same standards as a Lexus.

 

[panthermike]

Agree. Our '21 CX-9 Signature was legit nice; excellent build quality, quilted napa leather, real wood trim, rode well and very quiet. Our CX-90 is none of those things. I was never one to be skeptical of first year new models but our experience has made me otherwise.

It's a shame that they kind of messed up the new one.

 

[panthermike]

That’s a sample size of one. I’ve had a 2008 Mazda6, a 2015 Mazda6, a 2016 CX-5, a 2017 CX-5, and a 2024 CX-30 Turbo. I stand by what I said. They are good cars but they are not built to the same standards as a Lexus.

Experiences are very individualized for sure. I certainly wouldn't claim it is built like a Lexus, but built well in my opinion.

 

[cammyfive79]

That’s a sample size of one. I’ve had a 2008 Mazda6, a 2015 Mazda6, a 2016 CX-5, a 2017 CX-5, and a 2024 CX-30 Turbo. I stand by what I said. They are good cars but they are not built to the same standards as a Lexus.

I would agree with that. Their strategy over the last few year has to seemingly split the difference between, say, a Toyota and Lexus - while "trying" to stay closer to the Toyota pricing matrix. Aside from my bashing on the CX-70/90 here, I am a big fan. I proudly sell them. However, I think fans of the brand do get a bit carried away - i.e. calling the CX-70/90 a Japanese X5 or an X5 killer. Doing so means you have never driven a (properly maintained) X5. I TOTALLY get the comparison on other fronts; the operating cost of a Mazda CX-70/90 will certainly be lower and the price of entry is dramatically lower. IMO, Mazda is at its best with their mainstream cars like a 3 Sedan or a CX-5 - both of which are so much nicer/entertaining to drive than a comparably priced Corolla or RAV-4.

 

[nomas]

I'm still trying to figure out why Mazda dropped the CX-9...we love ours, and plan on keeping it for a long time...

My wife drives a 2012 CX-9 . We plan to run it as long as possible . It's not a luxury car but it gets the job done .

 

[YZJB]

My wife drives a 2012 CX-9 . We plan to run it as long as possible . It's not a luxury car but it gets the job done .

Just keep the water pump in the back of your mind! Otherwise a solid vehicle

 

[edyvw]

I would agree with that. Their strategy over the last few year has to seemingly split the difference between, say, a Toyota and Lexus - while "trying" to stay closer to the Toyota pricing matrix. Aside from my bashing on the CX-70/90 here, I am a big fan. I proudly sell them. However, I think fans of the brand do get a bit carried away - i.e. calling the CX-70/90 a Japanese X5 or an X5 killer. Doing so means you have never driven a (properly maintained) X5. I TOTALLY get the comparison on other fronts; the operating cost of a Mazda CX-70/90 will certainly be lower and the price of entry is dramatically lower. IMO, Mazda is at its best with their mainstream cars like a 3 Sedan or a CX-5 - both of which are so much nicer/entertaining to drive than a comparably priced Corolla or RAV-4.

Theyare fine cars. I had several. OK, minus rust.
Their problem is strategy. They are not BMW, Alfa Romeo. However, they want to play that smaller, more dynamic game. On US market Subaru is the one that nailed marketing. Basically, if you don’t buy them and end up in an accident, your family will die in horrible death, and you will stay alive to witness that. They are selling like hotcakes. They also sold people this AWD thing, and off road towing companies in Colorado should cut some money to Subaru, bcs. business was never better.
Mazda doesn’t have Atlas, Grand Highlander or Pilot. If they offered something like Atlas size and volume inside, with that I6, they would have winner. People who go for style and dynamic will go X3,5 new or used. You can’t be competitive in mid size SUV segment with CX90 against Pilot, Atlas, GHL. But if they offered something as practical but very dynamic, they would sell like hotcakes.

 

[B6_Dolphin]

My relative in CO signed a 24-mth/24k-mi lease on a 2025 CX-70 PHEV Premium AWD ($58k MSRP) on the last day of the year. $15,500 of incentives (Mazda + CO state). $0 down, traded-in a '14 CX-5 Grand Touring AWD w/135k miles and 2 accidents + hail damage on Carfax (all repaired). $322/mth and only paid misc dealer fees & taxes at signing, and got a check for the balance of the trade-in value.

So far so good - still has 1/2 tank of gas from the delivery, as she puts on 20-35 miles/day, so most of the time is spent in EV mode. Her only complaint are the stock 21" Toyo A/S tires are not-so-great in the snow.

The CX-70 PHEV version has a 3,500 lb tow rating, which is sufficient as she plans to pull a teardrop-style camper.

 

[JoeDirt41]

I agree, Mazdas are built cheaper than their interior look makes them appear. They creak and rattle, all while superficially looking like a Lexus. They are more like dressed up Subarus than true luxury brands.

That being said I still think they’re a good buy with good drivetrains, although I think the lack of a torque converter on the i6 is a big miss.

I can testify to this. My dad bought a 2016 CX-5. We all loved it when he first got it. The interior was very upscale, it rode nice, felt zippy. IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus, AWD and got good fuel economy so he felt good about buying it. But after a year or two, it began to age like milk. The interior began to fall apart and looked horrible, it always needed some sort of suspension part- wheel bearings, shocks, sway bar links, etc. Always had a suspension related creak, hum, rattle, etc. Finally what did it in was the rust. The body and the subframes especially began to rot out.

The engine and transmission were flawless. Never had an issue with them. I'll give it that. But really was just disappointed in how it held up over time. He traded it in last summer on a 2021 Honda Passport which seems to have better materials and build quality throughout.

 

[Rand]

Too big. check the dimensions..
wonky transmission.. they missed the boat with their in house transmission
there is even a phev ZF 8 speed transmission that would have slotted right in.
first model year issues.

I'm still waiting on the cx-60 which is the UK version and the right size for me.

PS if anyone didnt know the 70 and 90 are the same vehicle.. except 70 is 2 rows and 90 is 3 rows..
IIRC at least when the 70 came out it still had 3 row accessories installed such as cupholders.

I was SO ready to buy a cx-70 before we knew it was a 90 with 2 rows.

I was looking for something in the 185-195" range 202" wasnt quite dealbreaker but it was 10pounds of potatoes in a 5 pound sack (fitting in my garage)

The last nail in the coffin was terrible financing available and no one was budging off msrp (maybe -500)

so I went 2024 outback xt. for a variety of reasons including those I listed above and other off-topic reasons.

If you are still reading other reasons for going with subaru
$4000 more trade in on 22 forester wilderness
1.99% financing (vs 6.9%)
outback was 3k+ off msrp.
I liked the turbo outback it "fixed all the ills" of my 22 forester wilderness(which I also liked)
small consideration: able to reuse my winter tire and wheel set.. michelin xice snow with 4000 miles on them

 

[goingplacesanddoingstuff]

I can testify to this. My dad bought a 2016 CX-5. We all loved it when he first got it. The interior was very upscale, it rode nice, felt zippy. IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus, AWD and got good fuel economy so he felt good about buying it. But after a year or two, it began to age like milk. The interior began to fall apart and looked horrible, it always needed some sort of suspension part- wheel bearings, shocks, sway bar links, etc. Always had a suspension related creak, hum, rattle, etc. Finally what did it in was the rust. The body and the subframes especially began to rot out.

The engine and transmission were flawless. Never had an issue with them. I'll give it that. But really was just disappointed in how it held up over time. He traded it in last summer on a 2021 Honda Passport which seems to have better materials and build quality throughout.

My 1 year old CX-30 Turbo with 6000 mi just blew its rear differential. A week at the dealership being fixed under warranty. I wonder what kind of defect it had.