BMW X3 vs Mazda CX-70
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
BMW X3 scores higher, 73 vs 72
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 10 Nov 2026, price 6 Sep 2026
BMW X3
21 of 27 standard · no option data · 6 no dataFrom
$86,100
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol
- Power
- 140kW
- Economy
- 7.5 L/100kmWLTP test cycle, not directly comparable with ADR 81/02 figures
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2025
- Boot (seats up)
- 570L
Top CarSorted Score, 73 vs 72, but the Mazda CX-70 is $13,080 cheaper
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Mazda CX-70
24 of 27 standard · no option data · 1 not offered · 2 no dataFrom
$73,020
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol
- Power
- 254kW
- Economy
- 8.1 L/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP hasn't rated this model
- Boot (seats up)
- 598L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$86,100RRP
- no option data for this car
$73,020RRP
- with the BMW X3's standard kit: $73,020 (nothing to add)
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Fuel figures here come from different test cycles (BMW X3: WLTP; Mazda CX-70: ADR 81/02), so they are not compared like-for-like and no fuel winner is shown.
Price and cost per week
BMW X3 20 xDrive
$86,100
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $375 a week in repayments ($86,100 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Mazda CX-70 G50e GT
$73,020
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 6 Sept 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $315 a week in repayments ($73,020 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Mazda CX-70 starts $13,080 lower on RRP.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$315/wk(≈$1,363/mo)
Estimate on the Mazda CX-70 at $73,020 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW X3Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP's published ratings include no record for the Mazda CX-70. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 7 of 10 key systems on the BMW X3 and 7 on the Mazda CX-70.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
BMW X3
- REC-006668 · published 16 Jul 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the starter motor solenoid switch can experience increased wear that could cause an internal short circuit.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2025
- REC-006553 · published 4 Mar 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may develop an internal coolant leak.Year range on the notice: 2010 - 2022
- REC-006539 · published 17 Feb 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the starter motor solenoid switch can experience increased wear that could cause an internal short circuit.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2023
- 8 more on the model page.
Mazda CX-70
- REC-006434 · published 15 Sep 2025Due to a software programming issue of the Body Control Module (BCM), the instrument cluster fuel level may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2023 - 2025
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The BMW X3 features a 14.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Mazda CX-70 gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BMW X3 stands out with Bowers & Wilkins audio — features our data doesn't list for the Mazda CX-70. The Mazda CX-70 counters with head-up display, panoramic roof and Bose audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW X3 gets merino leather upholstery while the Mazda CX-70 offers leather. Climate control is 4-zone in the BMW X3 and 3-zone in the Mazda CX-70.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The BMW X3 uses a Petrol producing 140kW and 310Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.5 seconds.
The Mazda CX-70 responds with a Petrol making 254kW and 500Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.8 seconds.
The Mazda CX-70 has the clear power advantage at 254kW vs 140kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Mazda CX-70 is 1.7s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BMW X3 measures 4,755mm long on a 2,865mm wheelbase, 365mm shorter than the Mazda CX-70 at 5,120mm (3,120mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mazda CX-70 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 570L in the BMW X3 and 598L in the Mazda CX-70, giving the Mazda CX-70 a 28L advantage.
For towing, the Mazda CX-70 leads with a 2,500kg braked capacity vs 2,400kg. That 100kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Mazda CX-70's turning circle is 0.3 m tighter, 11.8 m against 12.1 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the BMW X3 costs about $2,138 a year (7.5 L/100km) and fuel for the Mazda CX-70 about $2,309 a year (8.1 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (BMW X3) and 5 years / Unlimited (Mazda CX-70).
Where each one leads
The BMW X3: nothing in the figures we hold puts it ahead of the Mazda CX-70.
The Mazda CX-70: the lower starting price ($73,020 against $86,100), more power (254kW against 140kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (598L against 570L) and the higher braked towing limit (2,500kg against 2,400kg).
The Verdict
BMW X3 scores higher, 73 vs 72
The BMW X3 scores 73 to the Mazda CX-70's 72 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 0 of the 5 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: safety (BMW X3 ahead by 17 points), performance (Mazda CX-70 ahead by 15 points), reliability (Mazda CX-70 ahead by 7 points).
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$315/wk(≈$1,363/mo)
Estimate on the Mazda CX-70 at $73,020 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW X3Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW X3 and Mazda CX-70?
The Mazda CX-70 is the cheapest at $73,020 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW X3 by $13,080.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BMW X3 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2025). ANCAP's published ratings include no record for Mazda CX-70, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mazda CX-70 has the largest boot at 598L with the seats up (2,015L with the seats folded).
Which can tow the most?
The Mazda CX-70 has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mazda CX-70 makes the most power at 254kW. The Mazda CX-70 is quickest to 100km/h in 6.8s.
Track the BMW X3 & Mazda CX-70
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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