2026 Mazda CX-70 vs. 2026 Acura MDX
If you’re already set on a larger midsize SUV and narrowing it down to the Mazda CX-70 or Acura MDX, you’re shopping in a smart lane. Around Bountiful, daily life mixes I-15 commutes into Salt Lake City with quick grocery runs on 500 West and weekend escapes toward Mueller Park or Antelope Island. You need something comfortable, confident in winter, easy to park, and efficient on mixed routes. Both SUVs are strong contenders—but for many Davis County drivers who don’t truly need three rows every day, the CX-70 tends to be the better match.
Interior Dimensions & Seating
The biggest fork in the road is simple: two rows or three. The CX-70 is a two-row midsize SUV with adult-friendly space in both rows and a cargo area shaped for real life—strollers, ski bags, soccer gear, and a Costco run all fit without creative packing. If you typically travel with four or five people, the Mazda’s layout avoids the tradeoffs that come with squeezing a third row into a midsize footprint. The cabin feels calm and airy, so the after-school shuffle to Viewmont, a loop through the South Davis Rec Center, or a dinner along Main Street feels unhurried.
The MDX answers a different need: seven-passenger flexibility. If you regularly carry six or seven, the third row is a genuine advantage. Just remember that extra seating brings added length and weight, the kind you notice parallel parking near Bountiful City Park or shimmying into tight trailhead lots on a Saturday morning.
Driving Character on the Wasatch Front
You’ll feel the CX-70’s personality as soon as you merge onto I-15. It has a composed, long-wheelbase glide that calms down patched winter asphalt and keeps the body settled through sweeping highway curves. The steering is precise without being twitchy, which makes lane changes by North Salt Lake relaxed and confident. Power delivery is another highlight: the CX-70 offers strong, easy-to-access torque for brisk passes and effortless merges, so you don’t have to plan every gap like a chess move.
The MDX leans sport-luxury in its tuning, especially in performance-oriented trims. It’s composed and capable at speed and feels lively on dry pavement. If the upscale badge and a more overtly athletic vibe are your top priorities, it’s appealing. But if you want a daily driver that reads the road like a seasoned local—quiet, surefooted, and never strained—the Mazda’s balance often hits the sweet spot.
AWD for Traction and Confidence
Bountiful winter driving is its own sport: sudden lake-effect flurries on the benches, shaded black ice on Orchard Drive, and slush that lingers along neighborhood routes. Both SUVs offer advanced all-wheel drive systems that shuffle power to the wheels with grip. What stands out in the CX-70 is how naturally that traction pairs with its chassis balance. The steering stays true even as the system quietly moves torque around, which helps you feel in control when conditions are iffy. Add in a robust suite of driver-assistance and safety tech, and you’ve got a winter partner that behaves predictably when it matters.
Engine Options & Efficiency
If a typical week blends stop-and-go on 500 West with longer freeway stints, efficiency has a real impact on your budget and your schedule. This is where the CX-70’s available hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains shine. The plug-in can handle short local errands mostly on electric power—school drop-off, a quick Smith’s run, a swing through downtown Bountiful—and then switch seamlessly to gas for a spontaneous dinner in Salt Lake. Plug in overnight, start with a warm cabin and a full charge, and you’ll notice fewer stops for fuel and a quieter start to the day.
The MDX keeps things straightforward with traditional gas power. It’s smooth and proven, and you never need to think about charging. Still, if you like the idea of lower running costs and serene electric miles without committing to a full EV, the CX-70’s electrified path is a simple advantage you’ll feel every week.
2026 Mazda CX-70 vs Acura MDX Towing
Utah weekends rarely stay light, and the numbers make the choice clearer. When properly equipped, non-hybrid CX-70 models are rated to tow up to 5,000 lbs, while the CX-70 PHEV is rated at 3,500 lbs—plenty for a pair of dirt bikes, a small camper to East Canyon, or a utility trailer for backyard projects.
By comparison, the Acura MDX is rated to tow 3,500 lbs with FWD or up to 5,000 lbs with SH-AWD (typically with the proper towing equipment/ATF cooler).
Honda News
In day-to-day use around Bountiful, that means a CX-70 Inline-6 can match the MDX’s top tow rating while offering the option of a PHEV for drivers who want electric miles during the week and 3,500-lb capability on the weekend. If your passenger count is usually five or fewer, the Mazda’s stable, long-wheelbase feel and confident torque make towing feel calm and predictable on I-15 and up toward the canyons, without giving up weekday efficiency.
Maneuverability and Parking Around Town
From parallel spots near Bountiful City Park to crowded lots by trailheads, a big SUV that drives small reduces stress. The CX-70’s tidy feel and precise steering make quick work of tight angles, construction pinch points, and quick darts into a just-opened spot. The MDX is easy enough to live with—and it’s certainly not unwieldy—but if you value effortless maneuvering day in and day out, the Mazda’s footprint and steering calibration are quiet advantages you’ll notice immediately.
Interior Features
Both SUVs check the modern-tech boxes: seamless smartphone integration, crisp displays, and comprehensive driver-assistance features. Where they differ is in tone. The CX-70 delivers a “quietly premium” experience—supportive seats, tasteful materials, and an interface that puts function first. On snowy mornings when you’d rather keep gloves on and eyes up, simple, intuitive controls are a relief. The rear seat offers genuine adult comfort, and the cargo hold is shaped for bulky items without awkward angles. The MDX counters with polished luxury cues and the flexibility of that third row. If you truly need the extra seats, that may win. If not, the Mazda’s elegant restraint makes everyday life feel easier.
Which One’s Right for You?
Choose the 2026 Mazda CX-70 if you want two roomy rows, serene highway manners, confident winter traction, meaningful towing capability, and the option to slash fuel stops with a plug-in hybrid—all in a package that’s easy to park around town and relaxing to drive on I-15. It’s the right size for most Bountiful families most of the time, with the refined feel of a luxury SUV minus the luxury price.
Choose the 2026 Acura MDX if you truly need three rows on a regular basis and prefer a sport-leaning luxury personality. For bigger families or frequent carpools, those extra seats can outweigh the benefits of the CX-70’s maneuverability and efficiency gains.
Take Your Next Step at Bountiful Mazda
When you’re ready, stop by Bountiful Mazda. We’ll tailor a test drive around your real commute, walk you through at-home charging if you’re curious about the plug-in, and help outfit your CX-70 for ski season or summer camping. For many Bountiful shoppers who don’t need seven seats every day, the CX-70 delivers the right blend of refinement, capability, and value—exactly what life along the Wasatch Front demands.