Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Mazda CX-70

The 2025 Mazda CX-70 presented a sporty and appealing design, reminiscent of a sport appearance package for the CX-90. It featured redesigned front and rear fasciae, a unique grille insert, new wheels, and dark accents, creating an optical illusion that made it appear slightly smaller than its CX-90 counterpart. Inside, the differences were subtle, with the CX-70 offering exclusive red leather treatment, unlike the CX-90's white leather. The interior boasted quality materials and textures, though the absence of soft-touch lower dashboard panels in the higher trims was noted. Overall, the CX-70 exuded an upscale feel for a mainstream brand, though it didn't quite reach luxury model sophistication.

In contrast, the 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer underwent a refresh four years into its lifecycle, maintaining its upright stance and large windows while introducing a modern illuminated grille inspired by the all-electric Wagoneer S. The new Upland trim added front recovery hooks, enhancing utility without compromising elegance. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer featured a clean design with strong horizontal lines, though the 12-inch infotainment screen felt small for such a large vehicle. The seats, while plain in appearance, offered exceptional comfort and adjustability, making long drives enjoyable. The cabin's premium materials, including Nappa and Palermo leather, contributed to a solid fit and finish.

The 2025 Mazda CX-70 offered a range of powertrains, starting with the 3.3 Turbo and Turbo S models, both equipped with a turbocharged 3.3-liter inline six-cylinder engine. The Turbo variant delivered 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, while the Turbo S increased output to 340 hp and 369 lb-ft, requiring premium fuel. Both models featured a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, achieving an estimated 25 mpg in combined driving. The PHEV model combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a 68-kilowatt electric motor, producing 323 hp and 369 lb-ft, offering 26 miles of electric-only range and 25 mpg in hybrid mode. All CX-70 models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, providing a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds for the Turbo models and 3,500 pounds for the PHEV. The CX-70's handling was athletic, though an adaptive damping suspension would have improved ride quality on rough surfaces.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured the standard 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 420 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided smooth and effortless power, even in the hefty Grand Wagoneer. The 2026 model saw a power downgrade, with the high-output Hurricane engine no longer available, but the standard engine still offered ample performance. Additionally, a range-extended electric powertrain was slated for the Grand Wagoneer, combining a 92-kilowatt-hour battery pack with a 3.6-liter V6 gasoline engine, delivering an estimated 647 hp and 620 lb-ft of torque. Despite its large size, the Grand Wagoneer was surprisingly agile and absorbed road imperfections well, offering a quiet and comfortable ride.

The 2025 Mazda CX-70 provided ample space for up to five passengers, with standard heated front seats and a triple-zone automatic climate control system. Premium Plus trims added heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The front seats offered firm support, though adjustable side bolsters and massagers would have been appreciated. Small-item storage was limited, but the cargo space was generous, with 39.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 75.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. An accessory organizer and various cargo-enhancing options were available.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer excelled as a people mover, offering three rows of seating with ample leg and hip room. The optional second-row bench seat allowed for up to eight passengers, with the third row accommodating three people comfortably. Cargo space was 27.9 cubic feet with the third row in use, expanding to 42.6 cubic feet in the long-wheelbase version. The Grand Wagoneer could tow up to 10,000 pounds when properly equipped. Standard features included three-zone automatic climate controls, heated-and-ventilated front seats, and power-operated front seats. The Upland trim added off-road capabilities with Quadra-Lift air suspension and all-terrain tires.

The 2025 Mazda CX-70 featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. The Mazda Connect system offered touch-sensing capability only for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a control knob and function buttons on the center console. The system was graphically pleasing and logically laid out, though the voice-recognition system had been problematic in the past. However, the inclusion of Alexa Built-in improved voice command functionality. Most models came with a 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system, delivering excellent audio quality. Additional features included an Active Driving Display and a camera-based digital rearview mirror.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12-inch touchscreen display, a 10.25-inch digital cluster, and a wireless phone charger. Higher trims offered a 23-speaker McIntosh premium sound system, a front passenger interactive display, and four-zone climate controls. While most tech features worked well, the wireless phone charger overheated an iPhone 16 during testing. The 12-inch infotainment screen felt small for the vehicle's size, and adjustable pedals were no longer available for 2026. The Grand Wagoneer offered a comprehensive suite of tech features, though some improvements were desired.

The 2025 Mazda CX-70 came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, grouped into the i-ActiveSense collection. These included advanced driving-assistance systems such as active blind-spot assist, emergency lane-keeping assist, and road-keeping assist. The Premium trim added semi-autonomous steering-assistance features and a Cruising & Traffic Support system with Unresponsive Driver Support. The CX-70 received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was equipped with a range of safety features, including lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, and rear cross-traffic alert. Available features included automated parking assist, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera system. The Grand Wagoneer received fair ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with a mix of Good and Marginal scores in crash tests. The NHTSA awarded it a four-star safety rating.