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This is going to be a big year for Mazda. It’s starting with the newly revealed 2024 CX-90. But speaking to Jeff Guyton, President and CEO of Mazda North America, this is just the first big development. He told us that the next CX-70 will also be released this year. The CX-70 will be built on the same platform as the CX-90, which means it will be rear-wheel drive oriented and offer a plug-in hybrid four-cylinder and a mild-hybrid inline-six. But it will be smaller, with two rows of seats.
We asked Guyton why Mazda decided to introduce its new engine and chassis platform in the US with the larger three-row CX-90, when it started with the smaller CX-60 overseas (another two-row file, but different from our upcoming CX -70). He said a major factor was the need to address growing competition in the three-row segment and the potential weaknesses of the CX-9 it replaces. Specifically, they saw that the CX-9 suffered in horsepower, interior space, and towing. At first glance, all of these appear to be addressed, though until we ride it, we can’t tell exactly how it holds up to the other three rows.
The other part is that the CX-70 will be in a segment that Mazda hasn’t really competed in much. Guyton noted the closest thing would be the CX-7, which was discontinued just over a decade ago. But he felt that even that is not exactly the same type of vehicle or segment. We’re certainly curious to see how the CX-70 shapes up and whether it’s going to be basically just a shorter CX-90 or perhaps something a little more unique.
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Of course, we also had to ask about that other Mazda plug-in hybrid revealed: the MX-30 R-EV. So far, Mazda representatives have said it will go on sale this year. Guyton didn’t really commit to any US plans and specifically noted that the MX-30 R-EV will be prioritized for Europe and Japan. He has given some reasons for this. First he noted that they face production constraints, so there are only so many they can build. Furthermore, he said that the MX-30 R-EV is a product that makes more sense for those regions, and backed that up with European sales of the all-electric MX-30. Apparently Europe has bought more than 15,000. It’s a rigid in contrast to the fewer than 600 sold in the U.S. So it definitely makes sense to send any MX-30 R-EVs that can be built to the regions most likely to buy them.
Now, Guyton didn’t mention that the R-EV I wouldn’t come here, but his comments make it seem like the future of the small PHEV in America is uncertain. And the regular electric one is back for another model year in the U.S. We’ll just have to wait and see.
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