2025 Honda Pilot vs 2026 Mazda CX-70

$40,200 · Crossover

$42,250 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most striking dimensional divergence is in cargo volume, where the 2026 Mazda CX-70 provides 39.6 cu ft compared to the 2025 Honda Pilot's significantly smaller 18.6 cu ft. However, the Pilot leads in raw power, boasting 285 hp versus the CX-70's 280 hp. Conversely, the CX-70 asserts dominance in low-end responsiveness with 332 lb-ft of torque, vastly exceeding the Pilot's 262 lb-ft. Fuel efficiency also favors Mazda, achieving 25 combined MPG (24/28 city/highway) versus the Pilot's 22 combined MPG (19/27). Priced at $40,200, the Pilot undercuts the CX-70's $42,250 MSRP, though the CX-70 includes standard All-Wheel Drive compared to the Pilot's standard Front-Wheel Drive setup, complicating a direct value assessment.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Mazda CX-70

The CX-70 offers superior fuel economy at 25 combined MPG and standard AWD, providing better efficiency and traction assurance for daily driving.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Mazda CX-70

The CX-70 offers nearly double the primary cargo capacity at 39.6 cu ft, a crucial advantage for family hauling compared to the Pilot's 18.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Mazda CX-70

The CX-70’s massive 332 lb-ft of torque delivers substantially better acceleration feel than the Pilot's 262 lb-ft, despite having 4 fewer horsepower.

💰 Best Value

2025 Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot has a lower entry price point at $40,200 compared to the CX-70's $42,250, offering 285 hp for less initial expenditure.

Choose the Honda Pilot if...

If maximizing initial budget savings is critical, as the Pilot starts at $40,200 versus the CX-70's $42,250.
If maximum overall height (71.0 inches) and traditional FWD architecture are preferred specifications.
If the user prioritizes peak horsepower (285 hp) over torque output for highway passing maneuvers.

Choose the Mazda CX-70 if...

If maximum usable storage space is required, given the CX-70's 39.6 cu ft cargo volume, exceeding the Pilot's 18.6 cu ft.
If maximizing low-speed responsiveness is important, due to the CX-70's superior 332 lb-ft of torque.
If achieving higher fuel efficiency (25 combined MPG) and standard All-Wheel Drive are non-negotiable requirements.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Honda Pilot	Mazda CX-70
Length	199.9"	200.8"
Width	78.5"	-
Height	71.0"	68.2"
Wheelbase	113.8"	122.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Honda	Mazda
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	✓	—
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	—
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Fog Lights	✓	—
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	—
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Honda	Mazda
Base Engine Displacement	3.5 L	3.3 L
Number of Cylinders	V6	inline 6
Base Engine Type	gas	mild hybrid
Horsepower	285 hp @ 6100 rpm	280 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque	262 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm	332 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
Number of Valves	24	24
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Cylinder Deactivation	✓	—

Drive Train

Feature	Honda	Mazda
Transmission Type	10-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Honda	Mazda
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	19/27 MPG	24/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	22 MPG	25 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	351.5/499.5 mi.	444.0/518.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.5 gal.	18.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Honda	Mazda
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Power Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	—
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Driver Vanity Mirror	✓	—
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Honda	Mazda
Infotainment Display	7.0 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Stereo Power	240W	—
Speaker System	7	8
Subwoofer Count	1	—
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	✓
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Honda	Mazda
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Moonroof Type	—	1st Row Power Glass

Frontseats

Feature	Honda	Mazda
Front Head Room	40.5 in.	39.7 in.
Front Leg Room	41.0 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	61.9 in.	59.2 in.
Front Hip Room	58.4 in.	56.2 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	4-way	8-way
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Seat Material: Leather	—	✓
Driver Seat Memory Settings	—	2
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Driver Seat Ventilation	—	✓
Passenger Seat Ventilation	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Honda	Mazda
Rear Head Room	40.2 in.	39.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	40.8 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	61.7 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	57.4 in.	55.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—
Heated Rear Seats (Multi-Level)	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Honda	Mazda
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	20 x 8.0 in	21 x 9.5 in.
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	255/50R	275/45R21
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Inside Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Honda	Mazda
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Honda	Mazda
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 24000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Honda Pilot and 2026 Mazda CX-70.

Which vehicle has the advantage in daily usability based on stated MPG figures?

The 2026 Mazda CX-70 holds the advantage with an EPA rating of 25 combined MPG compared to the 2025 Honda Pilot's 22 combined MPG. The CX-70's city rating is 24 MPG versus the Pilot's 19 MPG, suggesting greater efficiency during urban commuting.

How significant is the difference in driving dynamics given the horsepower and torque figures?

While the Pilot posts higher peak horsepower at 285 hp, the CX-70 offers significantly better low-end grunt with 332 lb-ft of torque against the Pilot's 262 lb-ft. This means the CX-70 will likely feel stronger during initial acceleration from a stop.

What are the key drivetrain differences affecting traction?

The 2025 Honda Pilot comes standard with Front-Wheel Drive, whereas the 2026 Mazda CX-70 includes All-Wheel Drive as standard equipment. This gives the CX-70 inherent traction benefits in low-grip conditions over the base Pilot model.

Is there a substantial difference in overall size between these two crossovers?

Dimensionally, they are similar in length, but the CX-70 is lower at 68.2 inches versus the Pilot's 71.0 inches, suggesting a slightly sleeker profile. The Pilot is narrower at 78.5 inches compared to the CX-70's likely wider stance given the general class comparisons (though specific CX-70 width was not provided, the Pilot's dimensions are listed).

Considering the MSRP, where is the better value found?

The Pilot offers a lower starting MSRP at $40,200 compared to the CX-70's $42,250. However, value depends on needs: the CX-70 bundles AWD and superior cargo capacity into its higher price point.

Which vehicle accommodates more gear inside?

The 2026 Mazda CX-70 provides vastly superior cargo accommodation, listing 39.6 cu ft. The 2025 Honda Pilot offers only 18.6 cu ft in the comparable measurement, making the CX-70 the clear choice for cargo volume.