Mazda CX-80 Review 2024

Demand for SUVs continues to rise unabated, with successful manufacturers offering a suite of them in a variety of sizes. One of the latest to arrive is the Mazda CX-80, which is aimed at larger families who appreciate high quality without the price tag normally associated with upmarket brands.

Not since the Mazda 5 was discontinued almost a decade ago has the Japanese firm offered a seven-seater model. As MPVs have been deemed as deeply unfashionable by car buyers, they’ve essentially been replaced with van-based alternatives or larger SUVs.

Based heavily on the existing five-seater Mazda CX-60 range, the CX-80’s wheelbase and overall length have been stretched by 250mm to 3120mm and 4995mm, respectively. Viewed from the side, it’s clear how much wider the CX-80’s rear doors are, in addition to the extra bodywork behind the rear wheels.

Something else the Mazda CX-80 isn’t short of is highly competent alternative choices from rival manufacturers, including the radical-looking Hyundai Santa Fe, which in plug-in hybrid format is both less powerful than the Mazda and more costly to get into at just under £52,000 versus almost £49,000.

Seemingly offering better value is the refreshed Kia Sorento — again, less powerful than the CX-80 in PHEV form, it’s a useful £2500 cheaper. Opt for the diesel-engined Kia — similarly short of the Mazda’s grunt — and the price difference is around £11,000 in the Sorento’s favour. Countering that, the CX-80’s interior feels more upmarket.

Therein lies a key part of the Mazda CX-80’s appeal, because to find a rival seven-seater SUV with a similarly sumptuous cabin, you need to spend significantly more money. Take the evergreen Volvo XC90, for instance, where the least expensive PHEV version is approximately £72,500.

What about a diesel-engined BMW X5? Once you’ve added the third-row seat option you’ll be looking at the thick end of £74,000. That’s around £1500 less than the least expensive Mercedes GLE diesel, too.

Diesel-powered Skoda Kodiaq seven-seaters can be had for a more reasonable £39,000 but once you’ve upped the power to a figure that’s still 61PS shy of the Mazda’s output and added four-wheel drive — standard on all CX-80s — the Kodiaq weighs in at over £46,000. What about the Kodiaq PHEV? It’s not available with seven seats.

Large SUVs are still popular with diesel engines, particularly as many customers appreciate the ease with which they can tow caravans, although both Mazda CX-80s are rated at up to 2500kg in this regard.

It’s a large diesel, too — a six-cylinder, 3.3-litre unit equipped with mild hybrid technology for modest efficiency gains at low speeds. Producing 254PS and driving all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox, the CX-80 e-Skyactiv D MHEV has a top speed of 136mph and will cover the 0-62mph acceleration benchmark in 8.4 seconds.

At a smidge over two tonnes unloaded, the Mazda isn’t a light car, which makes its WLTP Combined cycle claim of 48.7-49.6mpg all the more noteworthy. CO2 emissions are rated at 148-151g/km, depending on the trim level.

Of more interest to company car drivers in particular is the CX-80 e-Skyactiv PHEV which combines a four-cylinder 2.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor to produce 327PS. Its top speed is governed to 121mph although its extra oomph shows up with a 6.8-second 0-62mph time.

Its 17.8kWh battery delivers an electric-only driving range of up to 38 miles, while fuel consumption is quoted at 176.6mpg in full hybrid mode and 34.9mpg when the engine’s working alone. Emissions are between 35-36g/km CO2 depending on the chosen specification.

A full recharge using a domestic wallbox charger with a Type 2 connection requires 2 hours 20 minutes to top the battery back up to 100%.

Both engine choices are available in each of the five trim level choices — Exclusive-Line, Homura, Homura Plus, Takumi and Takumi Plus. Even in its least expensive form, the Mazda CX-80 is generously appointed with automatic LED headlights, a reversing camera, leather seats and steering wheel, heated front seats, three-zone climate control, a head-up display, integrated Amazon Alexa and wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

There’s also an array of option package bundles to elevate the specification of various trim levels further, while a more limo-like ambience can be provided by swapping the middle-row three-seater bench for a pair of reclining captain’s chairs, turning Homura, Homura Plus and Takumi Plus CX-80s into six-seaters.

Despite the Mazda CX-80’s upmarket feel, its requirement to be a practical SUV hasn’t been forgotten. Behind the third row of seats is a modest 258-litre boot which can be extended to up to 687 litres when the rearmost bench is folded flat into the floor. Lower the middle row seats as well to maximise the available space and you’ll have a 1971-litre volume at your disposal.

Order books opened for the Mazda CX-80 in May 2024, with the first customer deliveries set to commence in January 2025.