Compare the2025 Mitsubishi OutlanderVS 2025 Mazda CX-70

The Outlander has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The CX-70 doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Mitsubishi Outlander achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Mazda CX-70 has not been tested.

Both the Outlander and the CX-70 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, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The Outlander comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The CX-70’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Mitsubishi’s powertrain warranty covers the Outlander 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Mazda covers the CX-70. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the CX-70 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Outlander’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the CX-70’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Mitsubishi pays for scheduled maintenance on the Outlander for 2 years and 30,000 miles. Mitsubishi will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance (up to 3 visits). Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CX-70.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Outlander’s reliability 41 points higher than the Mazda CX-70 and 55 points higher than the Mazda CX-70 Plug-In.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mitsubishi vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mitsubishi above average in initial quality. With 41 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is rated below average.

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mitsubishi Outlander uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CX-70 PHEV requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Outlander has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The CX-70 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Outlander has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The CX-70 doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the Outlander’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-70:

The Outlander stops shorter than the CX-70:

The Outlander has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The CX-70 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Outlander SEL AWC handles at .85 G’s, while the CX-70 PHEV Premium Plus pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Outlander’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the CX-70’s (36.1 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Outlander ES has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-70 (8.3 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Outlander to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Outlander SE/SEL/Platinum’s minimum ground clearance is .3 inch higher than on the CX-70 Turbo S/PHEV (8.4 vs. 8.1 inches).

The Mitsubishi Outlander may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1200 to 1300 pounds less than the Mazda CX-70.

The Outlander is 1 foot, 3 inches shorter than the CX-70, making the Outlander easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Outlander uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CX-70 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Outlander has standard seating for 7 passengers; the CX-70 can only carry 5.

The Outlander has .9 inches more front headroom and .5 inches more rear legroom than the CX-70.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Mitsubishi service is better than Mazda. J.D. Power ranks Mitsubishi 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 14% lower rating, Mazda is ranked 14th.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Outlander S-AWC has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The CX-70 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The Outlander is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The CX-70 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mitsubishi Outlander, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Mitsubishi Outlander outsold the Mazda CX-70 by almost five to one during 2024.