New Mazda CX-70 in doubt for Australian launch

Mazda’s all-new sporty five-seat coupe-style large SUV might not be an Aussie starter

Doubts are emerging over the chances of the sporty new 2024 Mazda CX-70 premium SUV making it to Australia.

While its three compatriots in the Japanese car-maker’s new Large Product Group (LPG) – the Mazda CX-60, CX-80 and CX-90 – have all been confirmed for local sale, the business case for the Mazda CX-70 is proving a challenge.

Yet to be revealed, the Mazda CX-70 is understood to be a five-seat ‘coupe’ version of the large wide-body Mazda CX-90, the latter a seven-seat family SUV that goes on sale in Australia in August.

There are believed to be concerns within Mazda Australia that the CX-70 would add more complexity to an already-crowded local SUV line-up in return for limited sales.

The first LPG model, the narrow-body five-seat Mazda CX-60, goes on sale in June, while its stretched seven-seat relation, the Mazda CX-80, is headed for Australia in 2024.

Like the CX-70, the CX-80 is yet to be revealed publicly. However, Mazda Australia has confirmed its local arrival.

So far Mazda Australia has confirmed the CX-60 and CX-90 will be all-wheel drive and offer petrol and diesel mild-hybrid and plug-in powertrains.

Mazda has also confirmed the addition of the CX-90 and CX-80 means the end for the Mazda CX-9 – the 2016 carsales Car of the Year – before the end of 2023.

Speaking at this week’s launch of the updated CX-8 seven-seat SUV, which does continue on at least through 2024, Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi said not to expect any decision on CX-70 to be announced this year, describing it as “unlikely”.

“There will be a time when we have to make a call on CX-70 but now is not the time,” he said.

“We are still doing our business case on whether it makes sense for us to release that model here once we get a bit more crystalised on what its purpose would be.

“We are still evaluating. Remember, we haven’t even unveiled 80, all we are saying is CX-80 will be on Australia’s product offering, etc.

“You need to give us a bit more time.”

Mazda Australia is a rarity in the Mazda world in having access to all four LPG variants. Broadly speaking, the wide-body models are intended for markets such as North America, while the narrow-body models are aimed at Europe and Japan.

It is understood the decision on CX-70 is Mazda Australia’s to make as the car is definitely available.

This week’s tempered language on CX-70 continues a trend started by Mazda Australia marketing manager Alastair Doak in 2022, when he told carsales that all four LPG models were “not guaranteed”.

Priced from $59,800 to $87,252 before on-road costs, the CX-60 will be available with four-cylinder plug-in and inline six-cylinder powertrains.

All models are all-wheel drive, although the new architecture all four models are based on can also be rear-wheel drive.

The launch line-up of the CX-90 is priced from $74,385 to $93,685 (plus ORCs) and will comprise mild-hybrid inline six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.

Four-cylinder plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) will follow in 2024.

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