Mazda’s four Large Platform SUVs missed their combined global sales target last year. Exterior, interior and powertrain changes are planned on an “unprecedented” scale. Mazda wants the CX-60, CX-70, CX-80 and CX-90 recognized as true flagships. Mazda spent years pushing upmarket with a new rear-drive-based platform, inline-six engines, and a quartet of increasingly large SUVs. That’s great for enthusiasts, but it appears the company isn’t entirely satisfied with the results. Mazda CEO Masahiro Moro says major changes are coming to the CX-60, CX-70, CX-80 and CX-90, and he isn’t describing them as your typical mid-cycle nip-and-tuck. Speaking with Japan’s Chugoku Shimbun, Moro said Mazda intends to make substantial changes to the exterior, interior, and powertrains of its four Large Platform SUVs. “We will make changes to the exterior, interior and powertrain, and implement upgrades on a scale unprecedented to date,” Moro said, according to a translation of the interview. More: Mazda’s Biggest Problem Isn’t Its Cars, It’s That Nobody Can Say What Mazda Is There’s a pretty obvious reason for the attention. Mazda sold a combined 150,637 examples of the four SUVs globally during its 2025 fiscal year, well short of its 200,000-unit target. That matters particularly in the United States, where Mazda sells more than half of its Large Platform vehicles. Earlier this month, CFO Jeffrey Guyton acknowledged that the company needs to grow the business, particularly in America, while confirming that several product enhancements are already in development. Exactly what those changes will entail remains unclear. However, Moro’s wording suggests something considerably more comprehensive than new bumpers, wheels and upholstery. The powertrain reference is probably the most interesting bit. We know that the next-gen Skyactiv-Z tech Mazda is building will spread beyond its four-cylinder. That could easily lead to a lineup full of engines that can better compete with today’s hybrid-heavy industry. On top of that, it’s clear that Mazda doesn’t want to abandon its flagship aspirations. If anything, Moro sounds determined to double down on them. “We will develop these models into products that people will recognize as Mazda’s flagship,” he said. “It will take time, but we will certainly succeed.” Timing for the overhaul hasn’t been announced, and it’s possible the four SUVs won’t receive their updates simultaneously. The CX-60 is the oldest, having debuted in 2022, while the CX-70 only reached North America in 2024. Now we wait to see just how much better the brand will make them. Photos: Mazda
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