Compare the2025 Mazda CX-70VS 2025 Volvo XC40

The Mazda CX-70 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The XC40 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the CX-70 and the XC40 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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 896 to 1337 pounds more than the Volvo XC40. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Mazda CX-70 is safer than the XC40:

The Mazda CX-70 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 XC40 is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

Mazda’s powertrain warranty covers the CX-70 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the XC40. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the XC40 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 2 times as many Mazda dealers as there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CX-70’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. With 10 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mazda higher than Volvo.

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 Volvo 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, Volvo is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda 18 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

The CX-70’s standard 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 33 more horsepower (280 vs. 247) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (332 vs. 258) than the XC40’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The CX-70 PHEV’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 76 more horsepower (323 vs. 247) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 258) than the XC40’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The CX-70 Turbo S’ standard 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 93 more horsepower (340 vs. 247) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 258) than the XC40’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the CX-70 PHEV 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Volvo XC40:

The CX-70 PHEV can travel with zero emissions for 26 miles. The XC40 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 XC40 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The CX-70’s standard fuel tank has 4.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC40 (18.5 vs. 14.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The CX-70 Turbo S’ standard fuel tank has 5.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC40 (19.6 vs. 14.2 gallons).

The CX-70’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the XC40 are solid, not vented.

The CX-70 stops much shorter than the XC40:

For better traction, the CX-70 has larger standard tires than the XC40 (265/55R19 vs. 235/55R18). The CX-70 Premium’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XC40 (275/45R21 vs. 245/45R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CX-70 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the XC40. The CX-70 Premium’s 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the XC40.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-70’s wheelbase is 16.4 inches longer than on the XC40 (122.8 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CX-70 is 4.1 inches wider in the front and 3.2 inches wider in the rear than on the XC40.

The CX-70 PHEV Premium Plus handles at .80 G’s, while the XC40 B5 Plus pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CX-70 PHEV Premium Plus executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the XC40 B5 Plus (26.9 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

The CX-70 has 43.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XC40 (141.6 vs. 98).

The CX-70 has .7 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more front hip room, 2.5 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, 3.3 inches more rear legroom, .9 inches more rear hip room and 1.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the XC40.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the CX-70’s rear seats recline. The XC40’s rear seats don’t recline.

The CX-70 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XC40 with its rear seat up (39.6 vs. 20.4 cubic feet). The CX-70 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XC40 with its rear seat folded (75.3 vs. 57.5 cubic feet).

The CX-70’s cargo area is larger than the XC40’s in every dimension:

Maximum trailer towing in the Volvo XC40 is limited to 3500 pounds. The CX-70 offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

A Trailer Stability Assist is standard on the CX-70, using 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. A trailer sway program costs extra on the XC40.

The engine in the CX-70 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XC40. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

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 XC40 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The CX-70 Premium has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The XC40 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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. Keyless Drive standard on the XC40 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the CX-70 has standard extendable sun visors. The XC40 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the CX-70 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The XC40 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the CX-70 Premium Plus/Turbo S keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The XC40 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

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 XC40 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.