Mazda CX-80 review

Pros: smooth engine, high-quality interior, smooth ride

Cons: expensive, small third-row seats

Mazda CX-80 Design

To create this new three-row, six- or seven-seat SUV, Mazda takes its existing five-seat CX-60 and stretches it by 250mm, all of which extra metal is inserted into the CX-80’s wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear axles). This gives the flagship model in the Japanese company’s portfolio much larger rear doors, which also open to almost 90 degrees to allow the easiest of access to the rear of the passenger compartment, and a view in profile which looks very long.

But it’s otherwise a handsome car, complete with a lot of Mazda’s trademark flourishes such as sleek lamp clusters and a big, imposing radiator grille, and the only visual differences between the straight-six diesel we’re testing here and the plug-in hybrid model are a discreet badge on the front-wing side grille – which either reads ‘Inline6’ or ‘PHEV’, depending on which one you’ve gone for – as well as a lack of a secondary ‘filling’ flap at the back of the internal-combustion-only SUV. On the diesel, there’s just the one for fuel on the nearside-rear panel, whereas the PHEV has that and another port on the offside-rear wing for the electrical charging socket.

Mazda CX-80 Interior

Mazda’s interiors have been of a suitably high quality for some time now, and the CX-80 conforms to this. Ergonomically sound, in terms of the operation of its major controls up front, and yet beautifully appointed, it starts off well at base spec in the CX-80 and simply gets progressively plusher from there, the further up the range you go.

For the seating arrangements, there’s the regular ‘2-3-2’ configuration, with a three-person bench in the middle of the cabin, or alternatively there’s a grander ‘captains’ chairs’ option which puts two plump, individual seats in the centre of the Mazda, complete with a central walkway between them. Either set-up provides plenty of room and comfort for those in the second row, but despite the CX-80’s physical size and plenty of sliding adjustments to the seating, anyone sitting right in the back of the SUV needs to be quite small (or preferably, a child). The two chairs back there are low-set to the floor and don’t have a lot of head- or shoulder-room, although at least there’s a commendable 258 litres of boot space behind all seven seats as a minimum.

Mazda CX-80 Performance & Drive

Mazda sells the CX-80 with a 2.5-litre plug-in hybrid petrol-electric drivetrain, developing 327hp, or this 3.3-litre, inline-six turbodiesel. Both powertrains are fitted with eight-speed automatic gearboxes and all CX-80s are four-wheel drive as standard, so really the only choice to make is whether you prefer the PHEV or the diesel’s manners. And, for what it’s worth, we definitely think the straight-six is the right engine for the range-topping Mazda.

It’s not the most powerful diesel in the world, given its large capacity, as it makes a relatively modest 254hp (73hp less than the PHEV) and 550Nm (50Nm more than the hybrid), but as the CX-80 is about 200kg lighter without any significant electrical propulsion systems onboard then the six-cylinder engine is a perfectly fine match for the Mazda. It delivers its power in such a smooth and cultured fashion that it’s hard not to be seduced by it within the first 50 metres you do in the CX-80, but once it’s up to speed then its effortless, relaxed performance is wonderful.

Mazda also quotes 5.7 litres/100km (49.6mpg) from the CX-80 diesel, and we drove it on a more convoluted test route with a few explorations of its power, and it still returned a commendable 8.2 litres/100km (34.5mpg) in such conditions.

The CX-80 has rather good steering and capable body control, but if you really push it through the corners then its mass eventually comes to the fore and makes it feel somewhat imprecise. Thankfully, it’s remarkably refined with a super-quiet passenger compartment at all road speeds, while the ride comfort is generally excellent – with the caveat that there are a few occasions when the CX-80 is a little too firm-edged when dealing with larger lumps and bumps in the road.

Mazda CX-80 Pricing

At first glance, with a starting price of €62,380 for a PHEV Exclusive-Line, the Mazda CX-80 looks quite a pricey upgrade on the five-seat CX-60 (from €56,880) on which it is based. But that’s because the smaller SUV has a lower spec called Prime-Line than the CX-80, so in reality it’s about a €3,700 walk to go from the 60 to the 80. There are then five specifications of the CX-80, culminating in the opulent Takumi Plus, but all versions come with a decent level of standard kit for the asking price. The slight issue is that the diesel, our preferred drivetrain, has much higher CO2 figures than the PHEV and so it is a not-inconsiderable €11,560 dearer model-for-model than the part-petrol car. We still think it’s worth it, though.

Carzone Verdict

Mazda’s large cars have always been elegant and thoroughly likeable, and the CX-80 continues that trend. It has a versatile and spacious cabin, as long as you’re not trying to sit seven tall adults within it on a regular basis, and aside from a few minor ride grumbles then it drives in a polished, high-class fashion. It’s also something of a rarity these days in offering a rich, muscular six-cylinder diesel engine in a posh SUV and for that, it deserves some serious consideration if you’re after a premium, well-equipped and more-than-five-seat vehicle for your family-ferrying duties.