New Mazda Survey Reveals Nearly Half of Car-Sharing American Couples Have Monthly Vehicle Disagreements

Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) has unveiled insights into a surprising source of arguments among couples: sharing a vehicle.

While issues like infidelity and finances are common causes of relationship conflicts, a recent survey of 2,000 married or cohabiting couples, conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Mazda, reveals that sharing a car is also a significant source of tension.

The survey found that nearly half (45%) of couples argue monthly about their shared vehicle. Common points of contention include readjusting seat positions (62%), mirrors (55%), seatbacks (51%), and stereo volume (50%) after their partner has used the car. To address these issues, Mazda’s all-new 2025 CX-70, a two-row mid-size crossover SUV, features the innovative Driver Personalization System.

The Driver Personalization System uses an internal camera to scan facial features, creating a numeric driver profile. This profile automatically adjusts over 250 personalized settings, such as seat position, mirror position, driving display, and stereo settings, ensuring that each driver’s preferences are restored effortlessly. Importantly, these profiles are stored locally on the vehicle and can be deleted at any time, ensuring privacy and security.

This system aims to reduce the minor stressors that can lead to larger conflicts, as evidenced by the survey’s finding that 21% of respondents would reward their partner with a romantic dinner for properly readjusting vehicle settings. Additionally, one in four Americans with long-term partners would clean the car weekly to avoid arguments.

To further assist couples in managing vehicle-related stress, Mazda has partnered with Elizabeth Earnshaw, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and founder of A Better Life Therapy.

Earnshaw, who is also the author of “I Want This To Work” and the upcoming “Till Stress Do Us Part,” provides tips for dealing with car-incompatibility while highlighting how the Mazda CX-70’s features can help.

Earnshaw emphasizes the importance of understanding the mental load, managing stress, fostering interdependent relationships, and practicing active listening. She advises couples to make lists of daily responsibilities, redistribute tasks as needed, and practice self-soothing techniques like deep breathing. She also highlights the value of balancing time together and apart and using active listening to understand each other’s perspectives better.

The 2025 Mazda CX-70, with its thoughtful cargo solutions, advanced technology, and conveniences, is designed to help couples focus on what matters most, reducing conflicts over minor adjustments.

For more information on the all-new Mazda CX-70, visit: www.mazdausa.com/vehicles/cx-70.

About Mazda North American Operations

Mazda North American Operations, headquartered in Irvine, California, manages sales, marketing, parts, and customer service for Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Colombia through approximately 795 dealers. Mazda’s operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada Inc. in Richmond Hill, Ontario; in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City; and in Colombia by Mazda de Colombia in Bogota, Colombia. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, visit the online Mazda media center at InsideMazda.MazdaUSA.com/Newsroom.

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