2025 Mazda CX-70 vs 2026 Lexus TX

The CX-70 midsize SUV mimics the Lexus RX by offering two rows of seats, seating for five people, distinctive styling, an upscale interior, and gas or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains. If this new Mazda model looks familiar, you’re not mistaken. The 2025 CX-70 is the same as the CX-90, but without a third-row seat. Subtle styling changes help it to stand apart from its family-friendly sibling in the Mazda SUV lineup.

Verdict: Mazda envisions itself as a premium brand and makes the necessary investments in its products to ensure credibility in that respect. However, its vehicles also cost less than luxury-badged alternatives, adding value to the equation. That value makes it easier to forgive the 2025 Mazda CX-70’s few shortcomings.

You may not have heard much about the Lexus TX, the company’s full-size three-row SUV. Introduced for the 2024 model year, it’s still a young’un compared to its competition, but it’s made its mark by offering a spacious interior and two different powertrains, wrapped in a stylish package.

In Lexus’s seven-model SUV lineup, the TX slots just below the GX and LX—two body-on-frame models focused on off-roading. In Canada, you can snag a gas-powered TX or one with a hybrid powertrain. (Note the test unit for this review, the 550h+ plug-in hybrid, is not yet available in Canada. Lexus plans to sell it here, but not in time for the 2026 model year).

Verdict: The 2026 Lexus TX is a great option for large families that need a spacious third row, but some of the technology comes with a steep learning curve.