If you've been looking into the Mazda CX70 cargo space, you've probably realized that this isn't your average midsize SUV. Usually, when a car company makes a "two-row" version of a larger vehicle, they shrink the whole frame. But Mazda took a different path. They kept the massive footprint of their three-row CX-90 and simply ditched the back seats. The result? A cargo area that feels more like a cavern than a trunk.
For anyone who spends their weekends hauling mountain bikes, massive IKEA boxes, or enough camping gear to survive a small apocalypse, this layout is a game-changer. You aren't just getting a "big trunk"; you're getting the wheelbase of a flagship SUV dedicated entirely to your stuff and five passengers.
The actual numbers and what they mean
Let's get the dry stats out of the way first so we can talk about how they actually feel in the real world. Behind the second row, you're looking at roughly 39.6 cubic feet of room. If you fold those rear seats down, that number jumps up to about 75.3 cubic feet.
Now, numbers on a spec sheet can be deceiving. Some SUVs claim high volume but have weird, narrow shapes or sloped rooflines that eat into your actual usable space. The CX-70 is relatively boxy, which is great news. It means you can actually stack things. It's wide enough that you aren't constantly playing Tetris with your groceries, and deep enough that most strollers can slide in lengthwise without a struggle.
The "secret" under-floor storage
One of the coolest parts of the Mazda CX70 cargo space is what you can't see at first glance. Since Mazda didn't have to pack a folded-up third row under the floorboards, they used that extra depth to create some pretty clever storage compartments.
Under the main floor panel, there's a massive sub-trunk area. It's the perfect spot to hide things you want to keep in the car but don't want rolling around—think jumper cables, a first-aid kit, or even a pair of muddy hiking boots you want to keep away from the nice carpet. It's also a great security feature. If you're traveling with a laptop bag or camera gear, you can tuck it under the floor and keep the main cargo area looking empty to anyone peeking through the windows.
Folding the seats is actually easy
We've all dealt with those heavy, clunky SUV seats that require a gym membership just to fold down. Mazda thankfully put some thought into this. In the cargo area, you'll find remote release buttons. One quick pull and the rear seats drop forward.
The best part? They fold almost completely flat. Some SUVs leave a weird hump or a steep incline when the seats are down, which makes sliding long items like lumber or a ladder a total pain. In the CX-70, it's a smooth, continuous surface. It's so flat that I've seen people talk about throwing a thin mattress back there for some light car-camping.
Comparing it to the CX-90
It's impossible to talk about the CX-70 without mentioning its big brother, the CX-90. From the outside, they are virtually identical in size. The difference is purely internal. In the CX-90, that rear area is cramped because it's trying to accommodate humans. In the CX-70, that same space is dedicated entirely to cargo.
If you don't have kids or frequently haul around a sports team, the CX-70 is objectively more practical. You get a larger "default" trunk because you aren't losing floor depth to a folded seat. It feels more intentional. It's for the person who values a massive, organized cargo hold over having "just in case" seating for seven.
How it handles a heavy load
One thing people often overlook is the lift-over height. The CX-70 sits on a platform designed for performance, so it's a bit higher off the ground than a small crossover. This means you might have to lift that heavy cooler a little higher to get it in. However, once it's in, the wide opening makes everything easy.
Mazda also included solid tie-down points. If you're hauling something heavy or awkward—like a new water heater or a stack of plywood—you can actually strap it down properly. There's also a 150W power outlet back there (and a 1,500W one on the plug-in hybrid models), which is a lifesaver if you need to plug in a portable cooler for a road trip or blow up an air mattress at a campsite.
Is it enough for your lifestyle?
Let's be real: not everyone needs this much room. If you're just zipping around the city and grabbing a bag of groceries once a week, the CX-70 might feel like overkill. It's a big vehicle. But if your life involves "stuff," it's hard to beat.
For the weekend warrior
If you're into outdoor sports, the Mazda CX70 cargo space is a dream. You can fit two adult-sized bikes in the back with the wheels off (and sometimes with them on, depending on the frame size) without having to mess with a roof rack. Because the interior materials are high-end, you'll probably want to buy a cargo liner to protect the carpet from mud, but the physical space is definitely there.
For the family road trip
Even though it only seats five, those five people can bring a lot of luggage. In a standard midsize SUV, a family of four usually has to pack carefully. In the CX-70, you can basically bring the whole house. Huge hardshell suitcases fit with room to spare, and you can still see out the back window because you aren't stacking things to the ceiling.
A quick word on the "Luxury" feel
Sometimes, "utility" means "cheap plastics." That's not the case here. Mazda is leaning hard into the premium market, and even the cargo area reflects that. The carpeting is thick, the side panels feel sturdy, and the LED lighting is bright enough that you aren't fumbling around with a flashlight at 9:00 PM in a dark parking lot. It feels like a space designed for someone who appreciates the nicer things but still needs to get work done.
The practical downsides
Nothing is perfect, right? The main "con" of the Mazda CX70 cargo space is actually the size of the car itself. Because it's built on a large-platform chassis, the vehicle is long. If you have a small garage, you might find that you can't easily open the power liftgate with the garage door closed. It's worth measuring your space before you bring one home.
Also, because it's a wide opening, the liftgate itself is quite large. If you're parked in a tight spot with a car right behind you, you'll need to make sure you have enough clearance to let that big door swing up.
Final thoughts
At the end of the day, the Mazda CX70 cargo space is the car's biggest selling point. It's a specific solution for a specific type of driver—the one who wants the luxury and presence of a full-sized SUV but wants that space used for gear rather than extra passengers.
It's spacious, it's thoughtfully designed with those hidden under-floor bins, and it's incredibly easy to expand by dropping the rear seats. Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or a serial road-tripper, you're likely going to find that it's more than enough room for whatever you throw at it. It's nice to see a manufacturer realize that sometimes, "bigger" doesn't have to mean "more seats"—sometimes it just means "more room for life."