Read Caroline’s Mazda CX-80 review for everything you need to know about buying Mazda’s new seven-seat SUV in Ireland.
For many years, the Mazda CX-5 has been a bestseller for the Japanese car brand but what if it’s just not big enough?
Now Mazda Ireland has expanded its range with the arrival of the new CX-80. The follow-up to the CX-60, it brings an upmarket seven-seat SUV to the Mazda range, along with an interesting six-seat option.
There’s some attractive power options too: a plug-in hybrid and a newly-developed, six-cylinder diesel with mild hybrid technology for even greater fuel saving.
Let’s take a closer look.
Design
The CX-80 is Mazda’s new flagship for Europe. It’s hard not to be impressed by the sheer size of it and its upmarket presence. It’s the same width as the CX-60 and from the front, both cars are identical with the same long nose, imposing grille and sharp LED lighting. But it’s longer and taller overall to allow for three rows of seating inside.
Like every Mazda, the sheet metal has been meticulously crafted for timeless grace and elegance. There are a range of colours including the classic Soul Red Crystal and new Artisan Red and Melting Copper. There are five trim levels in total – Exclusive Line, Homura, Homura Plus, Takumi and Takumi Plus – which adjust the look of the car a little.
For instance, the entry level Exclusive-Line has 18-inch metallic alloy wheels and matt black body side mouldings. Step up to Homura or Homura Plus for 20-inch black alloy wheels and matching black door mirror casings.
Takumi and Takumi Plus versions are the most exquisite of all with 20-inch two-tone grey metallic machined alloy wheels, chrome around the grille and body-coloured mirrors and side mouldings.
Homura Plus and Takumi Plus add features such as adaptive LED lights, panoramic sunroof and rear privacy glass.
Mazda CX-80 Interior
The cabin design is much like the CX-60, which is a good thing as it’s very classy and elegant. The material quality and build is excellent also. The Takumi really takes the interior trims to the next level with real maple wood inserts, Nappa leather and special Japanese stitching.
It’s easy to get comfortable behind the wheel. But if you’re not bothered adjusting the seat, steering wheel and mirrors, Mazda’s Driver Personalisation System will do it for you. All you have to do is input your height and the CX-80 does the rest.
There are no flashy displays, which is quite refreshing. The driver’s display is very simple. There’s also a 12.3-inch screen that can be controlled by touch when stationary or by a rotary dial on the centre console while driving. It’s a simple, safe and intuitive system to use. There’s also wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity.
Takumi models also come with a Bose sound system.
Practicality
The CX-80 is the most spacious SUV ever offered by Mazda in Europe. The wheelbase is 250mm longer than that of the CX-60 to allow for three rows of seating. All CX-80s are seven seaters as standard with a three-person bench seat in the second row. But there is the option of a six seater for even more luxury for passengers: two captain’s chairs in the second row and a fixed centre console between them or a walk-through space.
The seats are very flexible too. You can slide the bench seats forward to create more legroom if needed for those in the third row. The seats can also recline or be put in a more upright position. It’s easy to access the extra seats too: on all but the entry model, the outer seats have a powered one-touch seat back fold and forward slide to help access into the third row.
Mazda hasn’t forgotten amenities for all those on board. Tri-zone air-conditioning comes as standard. There are separate controls and vents for those in the second row, as well as climate vents in the third row. There are USB-C charge ports and cupholders in all rows too.
In five seat mode, the boot is huge at 687 litres. Even with all seven seats in place, there’s about 258 litres to fit a few small suitcases or bags.
The CX-80 can tow up to 2.5 tonnes.
Driving the CX-80
The CX-80 is powered by the same engines as the CX-60. Both versions come as standard with Mazda’s i-Activ all-wheel drive system. The plug-in hybrid combines a four-cylinder, 2.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and a 17.8 kWh battery with up to 60 kilometres of range possible on EV power alone. The combined power output is 327hp and 500Nm of torque.
There’s also Mazda’s relatively new in-line, six-cylinder, 3.3-litre diesel engine with 254hp. It’s one of the cleanest diesel engines in the world thanks to advanced combustion technology called Distribution-Controlled Partially Premixed Compression Ignition (DCPCI).
It really suits a big SUV like this and is likely to be desirable to premium SUV buyers seeking power, performance and efficiency. It’s very refined for a diesel engine, though there’s a pleasant six-cylinder growl when pushed. At cruising speeds, it’s not audible at all. The 8-speed automatic is smooth and responsive. The drive modes (normal, sport and off-road) are easy to access from a button on the centre console.
The diesel delivers impressive efficiency for such a large capacity engine. Mazda says as low as 5.8 litres per 100 kilometres and over a week of driving my average was 5.9 litres! Indeed, part of Mazda’s theory is that an engine with large displacement will deliver better fuel economy than a smaller diesel. So it clearly works.
Just like the CX-60, the CX-80 has a tendency to pick up any imperfections in the tarmac, particularly in town or on rural roads, which can break the silence of the otherwise serene cabin. There’s also road noise at high speeds on the motorway. But on the plus side, the steering is precise, the handling excellent for a large SUV, and it’s fun to shuffle it around corners.
Mazda CX-80 Price
The CX-80 Exclusive Line starts from €62,380 on the road, the diesel from €73,940. The Homura starts from €66,080, the Homura Plus from €69,280, the Takumi from €67,230 and the Takumi Plus from €70,430.
The Takumi Plus diesel on test is available from €81,990.
Verdict
The Mazda CX-80 is a fine machine and is another reminder how well Mazda builds cars and SUVs. It’s hard not to be beguiled by it: its stately good looks, the finish of the cabin, the attention to detail, the clever seating.
Yet like the CX-60, its main Achilles heel is the less than perfect ride quality. Yes it’s a brilliant handling SUV. But it does seem at the expense of a cushioned feel to the suspension that would be more desirable in a large SUV like this. It’s not all bad but the occasional shudder from a crack in the tarmac does break the serenity other aspects of the car flawlessly create.
It is considerably more expensive to buy, but diesel feels like the most desirable fuel type for the CX-80. The six-cylinder unit is bound to impress premium buyers seeking power, performance, but also incredible efficiency and low carbon emissions.
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Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year
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