Here's what to expect from Mazda's upcoming mid-size crossovers, the two-row CX-70 and three-row CX-90 that are both slated to debut within the next year.
www.caranddriver.com
Final products never quite turn out the way these kinds of imaginings present them. I think we can say the envisioning of CX-50 before Mazda started putting out videos were pretty far off the mark. It's kind of like watching NFL pre-game commentary. The accuracy of prognostications is random.
Anyway, judging from CD's picture, I'd say they don't imagine the cargo capacity being increased from CX-9 that's currently among the smallest in the class behind the front row. I'm going by the distance from the rear door seam to the back of the vehicle in that CD picture. The cabin looks to be about the same size as the current. That would be a no-go for me.
The overall length may increase if CD is correct about the increased dash-to-axle and consequently a longer engine compartment. That might make sense given it has to accommodate a longitudinal in-line 6 cyl. Or maybe not. I'm surprised to see that the current CX-9 is 199" long while Highlander is 195-197" in different configurations despite Highlander having a larger cargo capacity behind the first row. That suggests the CX-9's engine compartment is already pretty long in comparison to the Highlander V-6. We'll just have to wait and see.
I find CD's description of the engine options a little confusing. They don't expect the Skyactive-X initially. That is a novel gasoline engine (with spark plugs) that employs some diesel-like compression-ignition principles. Then they go on to say:
"...our market will likely get a gasoline 3.0-liter. The engine is expected to have a turbocharger and a 48-volt hybrid system with an output somewhere in the mid-300-hp range."
Do they mean to say the turbo and hybrid will be the standard engine? Or are those upgrade options? I doubt they would be standard, but if they are along with AWD the $40,000 starting point starts to look like a bargain compared to similarly equipped 3-rows. If not standard, what's the hp in the base 6 engine Mr. CD? I guess they wouldn't care since they wouldn't be testing those trims.
Long and short, this is probably more digital ink than the matter deserves.