Party tricks, witchcraft and the 2026 Mazda CX-70 D50e GT

The 2026 Mazda CX-70 D50e GT has a neat party trick: it can make a fuel gauge look optimistic without requiring witchcraft, a tailwind or using the downhill run into Mooney Mooney. We actually managed to increase the range to empty.

Somewhere between Beresfield and Branxton, cruising along the New England Highway, that number began climbing back up like the car had found an extra jerry can under the floor. Conversely, in the city, a vehicle this large asks for patience.

Once the Hunter Valley opens up, though, the big Mazda starts to make sense. Coffee runs to The Deck Cafe in Lovedale, gravel detours to cellar doors, the weekly shop at Greenhills in East Maitland and longer stints across the valley gave the CX-70 a proper Australian test.

That matters because this is not a small, throwaway SUV review based on a quick loop around the block. The CX-70 is the sort of vehicle that needs time, distance and a few ordinary Australian inconveniences to reveal what it is really like to live with.

Big SUVs can look brilliant on paper, then feel clumsy the second a shopping centre ramp or rain-slicked B-road gets involved. This one had plenty of chances to prove itself. The Mazda CX-70 D50e GT is a large five seat SUV powered by a 3.3-litre straight-six turbo diesel.

At more than five metres long, nearly two metres wide and over 2.2 tonnes, it is not simply a stretched CX-5. It is a different kind of Mazda: bigger, more premium and aimed at buyers who want long distance comfort without luxury brand pricing.

The formula is simple but increasingly uncommon: a big body, five seats, all-wheel drive, a proper automatic transmission, and a diesel engine built for distance. It is not trying to be the sharpest thing in the school pick-up line, nor is it pretending to be a compact city SUV.

Mazda’s straight-six diesel is the headline act. In a market increasingly focused on downsized engines and electrification, it feels old-school in concept but modern in execution. At idle there is only a distant murmur.

Once moving it settles into a refined hum that gives the CX-70 a calm, long-legged character. Peak torque (500Nm) arrives at 1500rpm, with the 3.3-litre turbo diesel mild-hybrid powertrain generating 254kW of power through a rear-biased all-wheel drive setup.

It suits a large SUV perfectly. The eight-speed automatic generally does the right thing too. Mazda claims 5.4-litres/100km. We returned 6.1-litres. With a 74-litre tank, the CX-70 has the kind of range that suits Australia.

More importantly, that figure didn’t feel like a one-off number achieved by driving like there was an egg under the accelerator. The diesel’s low-rev strength means it doesn’t need to be worked hard, and that relaxed character is a big part of its appeal.

On the road, the steering is precise, body control is well managed, and the chassis feels composed through corners. Even on standard 21-inch wheels, the suspension deals well with Australia’s average road surfaces.

Wet roads, gravel driveways and uneven country tracks did not unsettle it, with Mazda’s i-ACTIV AWD working quietly in the background. The Hunter Valley proved a useful test environment. The CX-70 handled sudden downpours, rural lanes, and steep climbs out of the valley floor.

It also avoids the lumbering feel that can affect large SUVs when the road begins to twist. There is no disguising the size, and you are always aware of the width, but the Mazda feels measured rather than heavy handed.

Inside, the CX-70 continues Mazda’s habit of punching above its weight. There are soft touch surfaces, neat stitching and a clean dashboard layout that avoids making everything feel like a tablet stuck to the dash.

The driving position is excellent, and the seats remain comfortable over proper distance. Rear passengers benefit from the long 3,120mm wheelbase, while the boot offers 598-litres with the seats up and more than 2,000-litres folded.

The 2,500kg braked towing capacity is enough for smaller caravans, boats and weekend gear, and the diesel’s low-down torque makes hauling feel natural rather than strained. There are compromises though.

The CX-70’s size is obvious in tighter urban spaces, particularly underground car parks, where the long bonnet and broad body need care. The infotainment system still relies on Mazda’s rotary controller, which can frustrate when a simple touchscreen would be easier.

It does at least have wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system. The cabin feels airy, storage is useful, and boot space gives the CX-70 genuine practicality without needing a third row.

It offers a premium experience without the badge-driven pricing of some luxury SUVs although it does come with a steepish price at $73,990 drive away. For that you get a 5-year unlimited kilometre warranty and 5-years roadside assistance.

It may not carry the same badge cachet as some European alternatives, but it also avoids the sense that every service invoice will hurt, even if the price of entry is a little bit of a sting. For the money, the CX-70’s appeal is the fact it leans into comfort, refinement and economy.

There’s a sense it has been engineered for a specific kind of Australian buyer. If you’re wondering, that’s someone who wants space and substance, but still appreciates a car that feels thoughtfully tuned and feels cohesive.

The engine, gearbox, ride and cabin all work to make long journeys easy. That may not sound exciting in a world obsessed with instant torque and enormous screens, but on Australian roads it counts for a lot.

This review first appeared on Exhaust Notes Australia.

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