Compare the2026 Mazda CX-70VS 2026 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.

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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mazda CX-70 is safer than the BMW X3:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mazda CX-70 is safer than the BMW X3:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the CX-70 is 1.4% to 4.2% less likely to roll over than the X3.

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 54 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 rated the CX-70 second among midsize suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The X3 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda third in reliability, above the industry average. With 28 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 9th.

As tested in Car and Driver the CX-70 PHEV 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the X3 30 xDrive 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid:

The CX-70 PHEV can travel with zero emissions for 32 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 Turbo/Turbo 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).

Maximum trailer towing in the BMW X3 is limited to 4850 pounds. The CX-70 offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

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 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The CX-70’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the X3’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

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 X3 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

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.