The Complete Guide To Mazda SUV Models By Size & Performance

The Complete Guide to Mazda SUV Models by Size and Performance

Mazda isn’t just about sporty small cars anymore. These days, the brand is led by a lineup of Mazda SUV models that delivers a mix of sharp styling and handling with precision engineering, premium features, and now, a new focus on electrification.

Whether you’re looking for something compact and fun or something large and loaded with comfort and upscale amenities, Mazda has you covered with a smattering of SUVs that pack a serious punch.

See our guide to the full lineup of Mazda SUV models – ranging from the zippy CX-30 to the luxurious CX-90 – to discover what makes each one stand out.

Mazda SUV Model Comparison at a Glance

Mazda CX-30Mazda CX-5Mazda CX-50Mazda CX-70Mazda CX-90
Length173 in180.1 in185.8 in200.8 in201.6 in
Width70.7 in72.6 in75.6 in77.6 in77.6 in
Height61.7 in66.1 in63.5 in68.2 in68.2 in
Wheelbase104.4 in106.2 in110.8 in122.8 in122.8 in
Curb Weight3,419 lbs3,679 lbs3,741 lbs4,849 lbs4,885 lbs
Cargo Space Behind Back Seats20.2 cu ft29.1 cu ft31.4 cu ft39.6 cu ft14.9 cu ft
Max Cargo Capacity (Seats Folded)45.2 cu ft59.3 cu ft56.3 cu ft75.3 cu ft74.2 cu ft
Seating Configuration55556, 7, or 8
Standard Engine2.5L Skyactiv-G I-42.5L Skyactiv-G I-42.5L Skyactiv-G I-43.3L e-Skyactiv-G Turbo I-63.3L e-Skyactiv-G Turbo I-6
Standard Horsepower191187187Up to 340Up to 340
Standard Torque186 lb-ft185 lb-ft185 lb-ftUp to 369 lb-ftUp to 369 lb-ft
Available Engine2.5L Skyactiv-G Turbo I-42.5L Skyactiv-G Turbo I-42.5L Skyactiv-G Turbo I-42.5L e-Skyactiv PHEV2.5L e-Skyactiv PHEV
Available HorsepowerUp to 250Up to 256Up to 256323323
Available TorqueUp to 320 lb-ftUp to 320 lb-ftUp to 320 lb-ftUp to Up to 369 lb-ftUp to Up to 369 lb-ft
Max Tow Ratingn/aUp to 2,000 lbsUp to 3,500 lbsUp to 5,000 lbsUp to 5,000 lbs

Mazda CX-30: The Small Crossover With a Punch

Let’s start with the entry-level Mazda SUV model. The Mazda CX-30 is a small crossover that punches well above its weight. It blends Mazda’s signature driving dynamics with a tight, agile footprint that’s perfect for urban life but still versatile enough for extended weekend adventuring.

Standout Features:

  • Sporty Handling: A true Mazda at heart, the agile CX-30 offers responsive steering and a finely tuned suspension, making it a hoot to drive, especially around town and in the corners.
  • Skyactiv-G Engine: The base 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine generates 191 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, giving it just enough grunt to zip around without feeling sluggish. A high-powered turbocharged engine is also available.
  • Interior Quality: The CX-30 cabin feels more premium than its price tag suggests. Soft-touch materials, intuitive controls, and a sizable widescreen infotainment screen elevate the CX-30 above its rivals.
  • Safety Features: Mazda’s i-Activsense suite includes safety tech like a Lane Departure Warning System, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go.

CX-30 Hybrid or PHEV Available?

While the Mazda CX-30 doesn’t currently offer a hybrid or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option, it does get excellent fuel efficiency with up to 33 mpg combined. For now, you’ll need to look at other Mazda SUVs for electrified options, but the CX-30 should be one of the next models to add hybrid power in its next generation.

Mazda CX-5: The Right-Sized Mazda SUV

The CX-5 is a compact SUV that feels just right. It’s the sweet spot for many buyers, offering interior space rivaling the slightly longer and wider CX-50. It has enough cabin room, power, and tech without stepping into the realm of the larger and pricier midsize models like the CX-70. The CX-5’s sleek design and top-notch interior give it an almost luxury SUV feel but at a far more accessible price.

Standout Features:

  • Balanced Performance: With a standard 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G 4-cylinder engine (187 horsepower) or the turbocharged 2.5 Turbo engine (up to 250 horsepower), the CX-5 has power when you need it.
  • Premium Interior: Expect supportive leather seating, stylish cabin trim accents, premium soft-touch materials, and a driver-focused cockpit. Its responsive and engaging handling is easily felt through the steering wheel.
  • Infotainment: The CX-5 interior offers a sizable digital display in the center stack, paired with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. Plus, the available 10.25-inch screen takes the experience up a notch.
  • Driver Assistance: Standard safety tech includes Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Blind Spot Monitoring, and Lane-keep Assist.

CX-5 Hybrid or PHEV Available?

As of now, there’s no hybrid or PHEV option for the CX-5, but it’s efficient enough to hold its own against other gas-powered compact SUVs. If you’re looking for hybrid tech, the CX-50 or CX-70 might be a better option for now. But, expect electrified versions of the CX-5 to arrive shortly when this popular Mazda SUV model gains hybrid power in its upcoming next generation.

Mazda CX-50: Rugged, Refined, and Ready for Adventure

If the CX-30 and CX-5 feel a bit too “city,” the Mazda CX-50 is your weekend warrior escape vehicle. Slightly larger and wider than the aforementioned Mazda SUV models, and with more ground clearance, the CX-50 is built for those who enjoy a weekend road trip or maybe even some off-roading.

With an athletic stance and more rugged design elements, the CX-50 is Mazda’s answer to the growing demand for more outdoorsy SUVs without sacrificing the brand’s signature style and dynamic performance. This Mazda SUV model is only offered in a select few markets, including North America.

Standout Features:

  • Rugged Design: The CX-50 comes with a more aggressive front grille and pronounced wheel arches that give it a bolder look. It’s as ready for a muddy trail as it is for a coffee run.
  • All-Wheel Drive: Standard i-Activ AWD across the lineup makes the CX-50 more capable when the road turns less than friendly.
  • Skyactiv-G 2.5 Turbo Engine: If you’re after a little more oomph, the 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G turbocharged 4-cylinder engine pushes out up to 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel.
  • Off-Road Features: A unique drive mode selector with an off-road mode optimizes traction and stability on rougher terrain, giving the CX-50 a definite advantage over more pavement-focused crossovers.

CX-50 Hybrid or PHEV Offered?

For those looking to dip their toes into electrification, the CX-50 is available in a new hybrid variant, aptly called the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid.

It’s powered by a Toyota-developed hybrid system, rather than a Mazda one, and is tuned for maximum efficiency.

If you’re looking for a compact SUV with a sporty Mazda hybrid powertrain instead, you’ll have to wait until the new system debuts in the upcoming Mazda CX-5 Hybrid.

Mazda CX-70: Premium Midsizer

The two-row Mazda CX-70 midsize SUV sits at the forefront of Mazda’s efforts to bridge luxury, performance, and electrification in the midsize SUV segment. Designed as a more premium and powerful alternative to the CX-5 and CX-50, the CX-70 offers a larger, more refined driving experience and features the brand’s first-ever plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant as an available option.

The CX-70 is larger than the CX-60, an even sportier, shortened model based on the same Mazda large platform that’s offered in some markets outside North America.

Standout Features:

  • Inline-6 Engine or PHEV Powertrain: The CX-70’s plug-in hybrid system combines a 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G 4-cylinder engine with an electric motor, delivering a combined 323 horsepower and an electric-only range of 26 miles. It’s perfect for daily commutes with the occasional weekend getaway. Or, opt for the turbocharged inline-6 mild-hybrid setup for up to 340 horsepower.
  • Luxury Touches: Nappa leather, wood inlays, and an available 12.3-inch infotainment screen bring a touch of refinement to the CX-70, making it a genuine competitor in the premium SUV space.
  • Performance Handling: With AWD standard and a well-tuned suspension, the CX-70 feels composed in both urban and off-road environments. Mazda’s engineering prowess is evident here, with sharp handling, confident cornering, and generous grip.
  • Practical Technology: The CX-70 offers an innovative Trailer Hitch View, complementing its available 360-degree View Monitor with See-through View.

CX-70 Hybrid or PHEV Offered?

The CX-70 features mild electrification in its standard turbocharged inline-6 engine and also offers a PHEV powertrain. Both options deliver well over 300 horsepower, a substantial torque rating, and the automaker’s i-Activ AWD system, which now comes standard on every new Mazda SUV model.

Mazda CX-90: The Luxe Three-Row SUV

The CX-90 is Mazda’s flagship SUV, combining a midsize three-row layout with the luxury feel of a premium brand. It’s designed with the spaciousness of an SUV meant for family road trips, with the added bonus of electrified options, just like its midsize two-row sibling, the CX-70.

The Mazda CX-90 could easily be confused with the CX-80, an overseas model that’s essentially the same but slightly narrower to better fit tighter roads.

Standout Features:

  • Three Rows of Seating: The CX-90 comfortably seats up to six, seven, or eight people, depending on your selected cabin configuration.
  • PHEV and Inline-6 Engine: Select from an e-Skyactiv-G inline-6 turbo engine for serious performance (up to 340 horsepower) or a potent plug-in hybrid powertrain, dubbed e-Skyactiv-PHEV, that combines an electric motor with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine for 323 horsepower in the CX-90 PHEV. Both variants offer impressive towing capacity and performance.
  • Luxury Inside and Out: Premium materials abound inside, from the leather upholstery to the high-end Bose audio system. The 12.3-inch touchscreen and available 360-degree camera add a modern touch, making this a genuinely luxurious offering.
  • Advanced Safety: Standard with i-Activsense safety technology, including Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Lane Departure Warning. Even a 360-degree View Monitor with See-through View is offered here.

CX-90 PHEV or Hybrid Offered?

Yes, the Mazda CX-90 is available as a mild hybrid or PHEV, with the latter option boasting an electric-only range of about 26 miles and a combined 323 horsepower. The plug-in hybrid is ideal for those seeking to balance family practicality and eco-consciousness with plenty of low-end torque and driving excitement.

Closing Out Our In-Depth Guide to Mazda SUV Models

From the nimble CX-30 to the tech-loaded and luxe CX-90 three-row model, Mazda’s SUV lineup has something for nearly every driver and family. Whether you’re looking for an advanced PHEV, a family hauler, or a performance-focused crossover, there’s a Mazda SUV that fits the bill. And as the brand moves further into electrification and the premium SUV space, it’s clear that Mazda will continue to deliver exciting driving experiences.

So, which Mazda SUV model is calling you?

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