The Mazda CX-80 is the Japanese brand’s new European flagship, sitting above the equally impressive CX-60. At almost five metres long and with a wheelbase of over three metres, the mammoth Mazda CX-80 is available with a choice of three second row configurations, including the choice of two separate captain seats combined with either a centre console or a walk through to the third row.
Dimensionally, the new Mazda CX-80 sees the wheelbase grow by 250mm compared to the CX-60 to deliver the space needed for a practical three-row interior. Furthermore, to ensure passenger comfort, the CX-80 is 26mm taller than the CX-60. However, with an identical width, the CX-80 retains its familiar attractive styling and nose on profile of its smaller sibling.
Behind the third row is a 258-litre boot, which is still impressive for a six- or seven-seater. Fold the rear-most two seats down in the CX-80 and the boot increases to 687-litres. Drop the middle row and you’re left with a giant 1,971-litres. Having the option of cargo space akin to a small van is quite literally a huge bonus for CX-80 buyers.
Powered by the same engines as the Mazda CX-60, there is a choice of plug-in hybrid – which combines a Skyactiv-G 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a 129kW electric motor and a 17.8 kWh high-capacity battery – or Mazda’s advanced in-line six-cylinder 254ps 3.3-litre e-Skyactiv D diesel engine. Across both powertrain options, the Mazda CX-80 is exclusively matched to all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Tested here was the responsive PHEV version, which has a total system output of 327 PS/241 kW and 500 Nm of torque. It accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 6.8 seconds and has a top speed of 195 km/h. From full, the 17.8 kWh battery returned around 60km of range – on par with most plug-in hybrids today. The CX-80’s environmental credentials are also commendable, with an average fuel consumption of around 2.0L/100 km when correctly using EV mode in conjunction with the petrol engine. Its combine range is about 700km.
Thankfully, the cabin of CX-80 is much the same as the smaller CX-60, with three new features added: A new Alexa in-car voice control, a new hybrid navigation system combining the advantages of both offline and online services, and a new Trailer Hitch View which uses the centre display and advanced graphics to help position the vehicle relative to a trailer. There still a bank of physical buttons above the smartly designed centre console, which has an easy-to-use rotary to control the 12-inch display screen.
Recently named as the safest SUV on the market by Euro NCAP, the Mazda CX-80’s platform features double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension to ensure high levels of ride comfort, a stable posture and smooth body control. Its rear-biased, permanent all-wheel drive system combines the stability and traction of AWD. It also has an impressive towing capacity of 2,500 kg.
There’s a total of nine exterior paint options to choose from, including a new ‘Melting Copper’ which I would urge any discerning buyer to look at (pictured here).
Irish pricing for the Mazda CX-80 starts from €62,380 for the ‘Exclusive-Line’ PHEV, which is about €3,700 more than the five-seat CX-60. Homura, Homura Plus, Takumi and Takumi Plus complete the trim line-up, all impressively equipped.
