Midsize SUV Comparison
The 2026 Mazda CX-70 and the 2026 Honda Passport both target the same Wilmington shopper. Each wants a two-row midsize SUV with real capability, not a third row they will never use. Both come standard with all-wheel drive and both carry strong reputations for holding up over time.
The split shows up once you look at what each engine can do and how each brand chose to build around it. The CX-70 leans into power, efficiency, and price, while offering a plug-in hybrid the Passport cannot match. The Passport answers back with a bigger cargo hold and trail-ready styling.
SHOP MAZDA CX-70 INVENTORYComparison Overview
Stevenson Hendrick Mazda Wilmington built this comparison so shoppers across Leland and Hampstead can see exactly where each SUV pulls ahead:
Side-by-Side Specs
Specification |
Mazda CX-70 |
Honda Passport |
Starting MSRP |
$42,750 |
$44,950 |
Max Horsepower |
340 hp (Turbo S, premium fuel) |
285 hp |
Fuel Economy (combined, estimated) |
25 mpg (gas), 61 MPGe (PHEV) |
20-21 mpg |
Cargo Space (behind 2nd row) |
39.6 cu ft |
44 cu ft |
Overall Length / Wheelbase |
200.8 in / 122.8 in |
191.5 in / 113.6 in |
Towing Capacity |
Up to 5,000 lbs (Premium, Premium Plus, Turbo S) |
Up to 5,000 lbs (RTL Towing, TrailSport, TrailSport Elite) |
Standard Safety Suite |
i-Activsense (all trims) |
Honda Sensing (all trims) |
Basic Warranty Coverage |
3 yr / 36,000 mi |
3 yr / 36,000 mi |
Pricing shown reflects starting MSRP before destination charge, options, taxes, title, and dealer fees. Fuel economy figures are EPA estimates and vary by trim and drivetrain. Contact Stevenson Hendrick Mazda to confirm current pricing and availability.
Engine & Output
Both the CX-70 and the Passport run six-cylinder engines, but they build power differently. The Passport's 3.5-liter V6 makes 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque on every trim, gas only, with no hybrid option anywhere in the lineup.
The CX-70's standard turbo inline-6 makes slightly less peak horsepower at 280, but it produces 332 lb-ft of torque on regular fuel. That is more low-end pull for merging onto I-40 or pulling away from a light on Market Street.
Step up to a CX-70 Turbo S trim and the gap widens. Output climbs to 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel, a ceiling the Passport cannot reach at any trim or price point.
Browse CX-70 InventoryFuel Economy & Range
The Passport comes one way across all seven trims: gas only. Fuel economy runs an EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined on RTL trims and 20 combined on TrailSport models. Those are typical numbers for a V6 midsize SUV built for trail duty.
The CX-70 matches that gas efficiency on its Turbo trims at 25 mpg combined, then adds something the Passport cannot offer. The CX-70 PHEV is EPA-estimated at 61 MPGe combined, with roughly 30 miles of electric-only range. Plug it in overnight, and short trips around Wilmington, Leland, or Hampstead can run on electricity alone most days.
Utility
Honda built the Passport's cargo hold first, and it shows. The Passport offers 44 cubic feet behind the second row, more than the CX-70's 39.6 cubic feet. That extra room matters for beach gear, coolers, and weekend runs to Freeman Park.
Towing tells a closer story. Both SUVs top out at up to 5,000 pounds, as equipped. The Passport's RTL Towing trim adds a factory hitch at $45,650. A tow-ready CX-70 Premium trim runs $46,780, a $1,130 difference for the same hitch. Either path gets you to the same 5,000-pound ceiling.
Protection & Warranty
Both automakers back these SUVs with strong standard safety tech. The CX-70 runs Mazda's i-Activsense suite on every trim, and the Passport runs Honda Sensing on every trim. Each suite bundles automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assistance as standard equipment. Both the 2026 CX-70 and the 2026 Passport carry an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating.
Warranty coverage matches too. Each SUV carries a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Warranty length alone will not settle which SUV is the better buy.
Cape Fear Value
Pricing favors the CX-70 at every point on the lineup. The 2026 CX-70 Turbo Preferred starts at $42,750 against the Passport's $44,950, a $2,200 head start before either destination charge. That gap holds through the middle of both lineups. The CX-70 also adds a plug-in hybrid option the Passport's price tag cannot buy at any trim.
Stevenson Hendrick Mazda Wilmington backs every new CX-70 with three years of complimentary maintenance, real value on top of the lower price. The store has sold vehicles from the same stretch of Market Street since 1952. Our team can walk you through current CX-70 pricing, trim options, and available incentives.
Decision Guide
Both SUVs handle daily driving around Wilmington with ease. The right pick comes down to what matters most for your daily commute and weekend trips.
Unless maximum cargo room or trail styling is the deciding factor, the CX-70 comes out ahead on power, efficiency, price, and ownership perks. Stevenson Hendrick Mazda Wilmington can help you compare the CX-70 against the Passport in person.
Local Commitment
Stevenson Hendrick Mazda Wilmington has served the Cape Fear coast since 1952, with customers throughout Wilmington, Leland, Hampstead, and Boiling Spring Lakes. We're located at 5911 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28405.
Browse current CX-70 inventory online or reach out through our website to schedule a test drive. Our team can walk you through the Turbo, Turbo S, and PHEV lineup and show you how the CX-70 stacks up against the Passport.
A boat trailer headed to Snows Cut and a sandy run onto Freeman Park both call for the right SUV underneath you. We can help you find the CX-70 trim that fits how you actually drive.
FAQ
Comparing two well-built SUVs means weighing real tradeoffs, not badge loyalty alone. Here is what Wilmington-area shoppers ask most when they cross-shop the CX-70 against the Passport.
The clearest difference is power and electrification. The CX-70 offers up to 340 horsepower and a plug-in hybrid option with an EPA-estimated 30-mile electric range. The Passport sticks with a single 285-horsepower V6 and no hybrid option.
Both come well equipped. The CX-70 includes Mazda's i-Activsense suite standard on every trim, and the Passport includes Honda Sensing standard on every trim. Both the 2026 CX-70 and 2026 Passport carry an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating.
Yes. Both the 2026 Mazda CX-70 and the 2026 Honda Passport carry a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Warranty length is essentially matched between the two SUVs.
It depends on what you haul. Families who want the biggest cargo hold for beach trips or gear runs will likely prefer the Passport's 44 cubic feet of space. Families who tow occasionally and want a lower entry price will find the CX-70 a better fit.
Stevenson Hendrick Mazda, located at 5911 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28405, carries the full 2026 CX-70 lineup, including Turbo and PHEV trims. The dealership also serves shoppers from Leland, Hampstead, and Boiling Spring Lakes.
The Passport RTL starts at $44,950, about $2,200 more than the CX-70 Turbo Preferred's $42,750 starting price. The CX-70 also offers a plug-in hybrid trim, an option the Passport does not have. Contact Stevenson Hendrick Mazda to confirm current pricing and incentives.
For most Wilmington shoppers, the CX-70 is the stronger overall pick: more power, better efficiency, a plug-in hybrid option, and a lower starting price. The Passport is worth a closer look mainly if maximum cargo room or rugged styling is your top priority. A side-by-side test drive settles most remaining questions.
Ready To Compare In Person?
Read the specs, compare the features, and then experience the Turbo or PHEV difference behind the wheel. When you're ready for elevated performance, craftsmanship, and local dealer support, we are here to help.
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