Compare the2024 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, side-impact head airbags, front 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 and rear cross-path warning.

Honda pays for scheduled maintenance on the Passport for 2 years or 24,000 miles. Honda will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CX-70.

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.

The engine in the Passport has a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engines in the CX-70 have dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 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 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 2 places higher in reliability than Mazda.

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 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Passport has a gallon more fuel capacity than the CX-70’s standard fuel tank (19.5 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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.

A nine-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.

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.

For greater off-road capability the Passport has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-70 (8.1 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Passport to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Honda Passport may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 to 950 pounds less than the Mazda CX-70.

The Passport is 11.7 inches shorter than the CX-70, making the Passport easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Passport uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The CX-70 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Passport has 2.9 inches more front hip room, 2.8 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, .2 inches more rear legroom, 1.8 inches more rear hip room and 3.8 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 (41.2 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 (77.7 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 standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The CX-70 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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.

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