Drew Dowdell

This is a Japanese-reliability, low-maintenance BMW X3 clone. Look at it next to an X3 interior and I think you'll see they nailed it.

The much anticipated 2025 Mazda CX-70 has finally been released after a bit of a delay. The new model to the Mazda lineup, the CX-70 further moves Mazda into the premium segment. The CX-70 rides on the same rear-wheel drive platform as the new Mazda CX-90. Powered by Mazda's new 3.3-liter, turbocharged inline-6 hybrid or 2.5-liter 4-cylinder plug-in hybrid trims, the powertrain promises a smooth and effortless driving experience typically reserved for luxury-branded vehicles. While the specifications for the CX-70 haven't been released yet, in the CX-90, the power output from the mild hybrid is 280 horsepower @ 5,000 - 6,000 rpm and 332 lb-ft @ 2000 - 3,500 rpm. The plug-in hybrid model makes 323 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm on premium fuel or 319 horsepower at 6,000 rpm on regular fuel. The torque output of 369 lb-ft remains the same regardless of the octane. Both powertrains feed the rear-biased all-wheel drive system via an eight-speed automatic. If plugged in, the system can provide an EV range of 26 miles and an MPGe of 56 mpg in the CX-90. Those numbers could improve with the smaller and lighter CX-70. Keeping with Mazda's Zoom-Zoom personality, the CX-70 was designed with a wide, athletic stance, a benefit of being derived from a large platform. The interior maintains the luxury car level of quality with an available red Nappa leather coupled with high-end finishes. The Mazda CX-70 goes on sale in the U.S. later this year. Click the gallery below to see more of the 2025 Mazda CX-70. View full article

Just last week, we reported that the all-new 2024 Chevrolet Traverse will see a large price jump. In what is looking to be an industry trend, Hyundai just reported significant price increases for its large mid-size 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe. The new 2024 Santa Fe base price starts at $33,950 plus a destination charge of $1,395, bringing the out-the-door MSRP to $35,345. That is $5,260 more expensive than a 2023 Santa Fe SE at $28,750 plus $1,335 destination. The middle-of-the-road "rugged" trim XRT sees the largest jump in price, climbing $6,350 from $34,250 to $40,600 before destination charges. Buyers of the base hybrid trim see the least of the increase, only $2,540 from the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Blue trim to the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid SEL AWD trim. New for 2024 is the availability of the hybrid in front-wheel drive which brings the hybrid cost back down to around the 2023 AWD Hybrid base price. That said, these price increases aren't without merit. The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe has increased significantly in size, adding a third row. The base, naturally aspirated 4-cylinder has been dropped and all non-hybrid models now have the 277-horsepower 2.5-liter direct-injected 4-cylinder turbo as standard. Hybrids are powered by a 1.6-liter turbo with 231-horsepower combined system output. Gasoline models come with an 8-speed automatic while hybrids get a 6-speed unit. All trims, except the all-wheel drive only XRT, are available in front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The plug-in is absent for now, but mules have been spotted, so it could be coming. View full article