After previewing it last spring, I had the chance to drive the new Mazda CX-80, the Japanese brand’s flagship SUV. Spacious and sophisticated, it inherits the engine lineup of the CX-60, with which it shares much, but introduces particularly smart solutions for the category, focusing on practicality and quality.
New Mazda CX-80: Our tops&flops
Imposing yet refined. And, as always, meticulously crafted. Seven-seaters were once mostly minivans, with bland designs that sacrificed everything for practicality. Today, this type of vehicle is embodied by trendier SUVs, and Mazda has entered the fray. It has done so by taking its well-received flagship, the CX-60, retaining its defining features, and adding even more. The result is a vehicle for seven people, all enjoying equal seating “rights,” with cupholders, USB-C ports, and climate control for the last two seats. Access is also a highlight, thanks to wide rear doors that allow relatively easy entry into what feels like a handcrafted lounge, with design details varying based on the trim. If you need a car with excellent build quality, Mazda’s signature craftsmanship applied to ample space, and efficient yet powerful engines—ranging from a plug-in hybrid with significant electric range for city driving to the potent diesel I tested for long journeys and enhanced efficiency—this SUV is worth considering.
What we like:
- Wide and convenient rear access
- Equal comfort for all passengers
- Pleasant driving experience
What we don’t:
- The gearbox can be hesitant
- Infotainment is still lacking
- Seat-folding mechanisms feel cheap
Prices in Scandinavia
The reliable 3.3 diesel
Let’s start with the engine performance. It’s the same 3.3-liter inline-six mild-hybrid diesel I praised in the CX-60 diesel, and it reaffirms its qualities here. This is a unique engine, with its longitudinal layout, rear-wheel drive, and smooth yet capable driving dynamics—a welcomed divergence in a market dominated by transverse four-cylinder engines.
The engine delivers smooth performance thanks to its size and power, perfectly suited to a vehicle of this stature. It’s assisted by a 48-volt M-Hybrid Boost system that offers 17 hp, particularly during braking or deceleration, almost shutting off the combustion engine to significantly improve fuel economy. This setup allows for brisk acceleration (0–100 km/h in 8.4 seconds), powered by 550 Nm of torque and a responsive throttle.
While the eight-speed automatic gearbox generally works well, it sometimes struggles to interpret pedal pressure, delaying shifts. This is less of an issue in Sport mode, which enhances responsiveness and lets you enjoy the sound of the 3.3-liter engine when pushing hard.
Fuel economy is commendable. Though my test drive wasn’t long enough for a comprehensive assessment, I stayed close to Mazda’s claimed 5.7 liters per 100 km during efficient driving, achieving around 5.9 liters. Pushing the car a bit more—such as hitting 190 km/h on German autobahns—raised consumption to about 6.7 liters per 100 km, which is reasonable considering the vehicle’s weight and engine capacity.
Despite its power, the CX-80 prioritizes comfort. It features a double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear setup optimized for stability and comfort. Additionally, the Kinematic Posture Control (KPC) system, borrowed from the MX-5, reduces body roll in corners. However, on the uneven roads of Bavaria, some vibrations were noticeable at lower speeds.
Design and practicality
I won’t dwell on the design or the Melting Copper paint—one of two exclusive colors for this model alongside Artisanal Red—since I covered it extensively during the preview. For the record, I prefer Melting Copper, though both hues showcase Mazda’s commitment to unique, striking colors.
Compared to the CX-60, the CX-80 is taller (+24 mm), longer (+250 mm), and has a longer wheelbase (+250 mm), with shorter overhangs, especially at the rear. The design retains hallmark features like the large front grille and sleek rear light clusters.
The designers focused heavily on practicality. Rear-row access is among the best for a seven-seater SUV, thanks to wide doors that open a full 90 degrees. The middle-row seats fold electronically but must be manually slid forward, which can be cumbersome but allows reasonably easy access to the third row, even for taller individuals like myself.
While the third row isn’t suitable for anyone taller than 1.90 meters, it offers USB-C ports, cupholders, and well-upholstered seats—uncommon in this segment. The second row feels like a lounge, with a central armrest, dedicated climate controls, and sunshades.
The interior is generally bright due to large windows. The driver’s seat remains height-focused, and the dashboard mirrors the CX-60’s, featuring black Nappa leather and Gunmetal trims in the Homura trim, or white Nappa leather and maple wood in the top-tier Takumi trim.
The CX-80 offers a six- or seven-seat configuration. With all seats up, the trunk has a capacity of 258 liters, which expands to 637 liters when the third row is folded, and up to 1,971 liters with all rows down. Folding the seats is simple, requiring just a pull of a cord, though a powered option would be more fitting for this segment.
Safety
The CX-80 scores highly in safety, earning five stars in EuroNCAP tests. It introduces new features like Rear Seat Alert, which detects occupants in the rear seats and prompts seatbelt use.
The vehicle also includes standard ADAS features such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Keeping Assist, and Driver Fatigue Detection. Additionally, the new Smart Brake Support and Unresponsive Driver Support systems enhance safety. The latter can slow the car to a stop and engage the parking brake if the driver becomes unresponsive, unlocking the doors and sounding the horn to alert others.
Mazda has also made it easy to adjust these systems with a single button near the steering wheel, avoiding convoluted menu navigation—a thoughtful touch.
