Compare the2025 Mazda CX-70VS 2025 BMW X3

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.

The CX-70 Premium has a standard Secondary Collision Reduction System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The X3 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

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.

The CX-70’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The X3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

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, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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 and available around view monitors.

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 X3 has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

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 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 M50 xDrive 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).

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. 255/40R21).

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 3.4 inches wider in the front and 2.6 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the X3.

For better maneuverability, the CX-70’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the X3’s (38.1 feet vs. 40 feet).

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

The CX-70 has 1.5 inches more front legroom, 1.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, 3.1 inches more rear legroom and 2.4 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. 31.5 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. 67.1 cubic feet).

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.

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.

The CX-70 has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning 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.