Compare the2026 Honda PassportVS 2025 Mazda CX-70

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Passport deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Passport’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The CX-70’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Both the Passport 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, 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.

There are almost 2 times as many Honda dealers as there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Passport’s warranty.

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 Passport’s reliability 26 points higher than the Mazda CX-70 and 40 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 Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda above average in initial quality. With 51 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda fourth in overall reliability. Mazda is ranked 6th.

The Passport’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 5 more horsepower (285 vs. 280) than the CX-70’s standard 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Passport’s fuel efficiency. The CX-70 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Honda Passport 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 Passport 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.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Honda Passport higher (7 out of 10) than the Mazda CX-70 (5 to 6). This means the Passport produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CX-70 every 15,000 miles.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Honda Passport, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the CX-70.

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

The Passport 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 Passport offers an optional full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the CX-70; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

For greater off-road capability the Passport has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-70 (8.3 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Passport to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Passport’s minimum ground clearance is .2 inch higher than on the CX-70 Turbo S/PHEV (8.3 vs. 8.1 inches).

The Honda Passport may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 500 pounds less than the Mazda CX-70.

The Passport is 9.3 inches shorter than the CX-70, making the Passport easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Passport 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 Passport has .8 inches more front headroom, 2.1 inches more front hip room, 2.7 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, 1.5 inches more rear legroom, 1.9 inches more rear hip room and 3.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-70.

The Passport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-70 with its rear seat up (44 vs. 39.6 cubic feet). The Passport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-70 with its rear seat folded (83.8 vs. 75.3 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Passport. The CX-70 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Passport’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the CX-70’s (5000 vs. 3500 pounds).

The Passport’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The CX-70’s power window (except driver window) switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Honda Passport has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Homelink® is only available on the CX-70 Premium.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Honda Passport, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Honda Passport outsold the Mazda CX-70 by almost three to one during 2024.