Compare the2024 BMW X5VS 2025 Mazda CX-70

The X5’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The CX-70 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The X5 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The CX-70 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the X5 and the CX-70 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

The BMW X5 achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The CX-70 has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

The X5 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The CX-70’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The X5’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the CX-70’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X5 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CX-70.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. With 11 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Mazda.

The X5 has more powerful engines than the CX-70:

The X550e xDrive can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 40 miles, up to 10% further than the CX-70 PHEV‘s -mile range on a full charge and a full tank of fuel. The CX-70 PHEV has to start its internal combustion engine after only 26 miles.

The X5 has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-70’s standard fuel tank (21.9 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The X5 has 2.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-70 Turbo S’ standard fuel tank (21.9 vs. 19.6 gallons).

The X5’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The CX-70 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the X5’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-70:

The X5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-70’s standard 55 series tires. The X5’s optional 275/35R22 front and 315/30R22 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the CX-70 Premium’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 offers optional 22-inch wheels. The CX-70’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the X5 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The CX-70 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X5 M60i offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The CX-70 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The X5 M60i xDrive offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Mazda doesn’t offer an active suspension on the CX-70.

The X5 offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The CX-70’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The X5 has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The CX-70 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For greater off-road capability the X5 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-70 (8.7 vs. 8 inches), allowing the X5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The X5’s minimum ground clearance is .6 inch higher than on the CX-70 Turbo S/PHEV (8.7 vs. 8.1 inches).

The X5 is 6.6 inches shorter than the CX-70, making the X5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the X5 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CX-70 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The X5 has 1 inch more front headroom, .8 inches more front shoulder room and .1 inches more rear headroom than the CX-70.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the X5. The CX-70 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The X5’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The CX-70’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The X5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the CX-70’s (5952 vs. 3500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Mazda CX-70 is only 5000 pounds. The X5 offers up to a 7209 lbs. towing capacity.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Mazda. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 10% lower rating, Mazda is ranked 11th.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the CX-70 Premium, the X5 M60i has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The X5’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The CX-70 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The power windows standard on both the X5 and the CX-70 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the X5 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CX-70 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The X5’s standard Comfort Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Advanced Keyless Entry and Start standard on the CX-70 doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The X5’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The CX-70’s power window (except driver window) switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The X5 offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the CX-70.

The X5’s Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The CX-70 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The X5 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The CX-70 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® chose the BMW X5 as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.