Compare the2025 Mazda CX-70VS 2024 BMW X3

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mazda CX-70 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW X3 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mazda CX-70 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X3 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the CX-70 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The X3 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-70. But it costs extra on the X3.

Both the CX-70 and X3 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the CX-70 has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The X3’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the CX-70 and the X3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 around view monitors.

The Mazda CX-70 weighs 471 to 1119 pounds more than the BMW X3. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Mazda’s powertrain warranty covers the CX-70 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the X3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 55 percent more Mazda dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CX-70’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, BMW is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda 2 places higher in reliability than BMW.

The CX-70 has more powerful engines than the X3:

As tested in Motor Trend the CX-70 PHEV 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the X3 s/xDrive30i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the CX-70 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the X3:

The CX-70 PHEV can travel with zero emissions for 26 miles. The X3 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mazda CX-70 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended on CX-70 PHEV for maximum performance). The X3 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The CX-70’s standard fuel tank has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the X3 (18.5 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The CX-70 Turbo S’ standard fuel tank has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the X3 (19.6 vs. 17.2 gallons).

The CX-70 stops shorter than the X3:

For better traction, the CX-70 has larger standard tires than the X3 (265/55R19 vs. 245/50R19). The CX-70 Premium’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X3 (275/45R21 vs. 245/45R20).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-70’s wheelbase is 10 inches longer than on the X3 (122.8 inches vs. 112.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CX-70 is 3.6 inches wider in the front and 3.2 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the X3.

The CX-70 PHEV Premium Plus executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the X3 xDrive30i (26.9 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CX-70’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the X3’s (38.1 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-70 Turbo S/PHEV has a greater minimum ground clearance than the X3 (8.1 vs. 8 inches), allowing the CX-70 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the CX-70 PHEV Premium Plus is quieter than the X3 M40i xDrive (79 vs. 80 dB).

The CX-70 has 40.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the X3 (141.6 vs. 101.4).

The CX-70 has 1.4 inches more front legroom, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 3 inches more rear legroom and 2.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the X3.

The CX-70 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the X3 with its rear seat up (39.6 vs. 28.7 cubic feet). The CX-70 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the X3 with its rear seat folded (75.3 vs. 62.7 cubic feet).

The CX-70’s cargo area is larger than the X3’s in every dimension:

Maximum trailer towing in the BMW X3 is limited to 4400 pounds. The CX-70 offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the CX-70 uses the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The X3 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The CX-70 Premium’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The X3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The CX-70’s standard Advanced Keyless Entry and Start allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Comfort Go standard on the X3 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the CX-70 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the X3 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mazda CX-70 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the X3.

The CX-70 Premium Plus has a 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The X3 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.