Mazda CX-80 – Review

By Liam Bird, September 2025

It’s a near 200 mile trip from here in the far unlit unknown of the Shropshire Marches to Wisborough Green on the edge of The South Downs in West Sussex; it’s a journey I’m almost too familiar with. Google Maps quotes 3 hours and 50 minutes door to door but, from experience, I know, traffic, pit-stops – everyone needs a pee by the time we reach Chieveley, and, apparently, a bag of Colin the Caterpillars – and road works included, you can add at least another hour to that.

Needless to say then, for such schlep one must pick one’s chariot very carefully. I could’ve taken my ageing Porsche Boxster, an extended run down the A34 would’ve probably done it the world of good.

The recent 33 degree Celsius heat on the other hand… My Boxster is an early, pre-aircon model: a case of bake yourself inside with the roof up, or slowly sun yourself to a crisp, leathery texture with the roof down. No thank you.

“Very comfortable and nicely appointed”

Fortunately my most recent need to go south in the middle of heatwave conveniently corresponded with a Mazda CX-80 being delivered a day or two before. In Takumi Plus spec, CX-80s come not only with three-zone climate control – all CX-80s get that – but also ventilated (i.e. cooled) driver and passenger seats. Those under-bum blowers were a God-send on what was one of the hottest weekends of the year – as were the integrated blinds on the rear passenger doors.

And did I mention that Takumi Plus spec also adds the 12 speaker Bose surround sound system, white nappa leather, and white maple wood inserts too? Make no mistakes modern Mazda interiors are very comfortable and nicely appointed places to spend some time in, especially so when you’ve a long drive planned. Smug, me? Honestly, not in the slightest…

Perfectly chilled and cosseted derrière and lumbar aside, the other thing that will raise a smile, in certain camps at least – company buyers may baulk due to the tax implications – is that Mazda’s SUV flagship can be had with diesel engine. A 3.3 litre, 251bhp, straight-six diesel to be precise.

“Acres of room”

Mazda have never been the type of manufacturer to follow the crowd, and they’re convinced, that if you’re the type of driver that likes or needs to tow something, and/or clocks-up high miles, then diesel power still makes a lot of sense. Besides, who actually wants to drive something you have to plug-in somewhere no doubt inconvenient, if you actually want to get any further than three-quarters of the way home? I’m not sure I do.

That said, actually, it’s the Plug-in Hybrid CX-80 that’s predicted to be the biggest seller. It pairs a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a 175PS electric motor to deliver an impressive 322bhp and 369lbft of torque.

Both CX-80s come with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, which swaps out its torque converter for an electronically controlled clutch. Electronically controlled four-wheel drive is standard, as are, what feels like, acres of room.

“Might not be quite as visually attractive”

At nearly 5 metres long and boasting a wheelbase of 3120mm the CX-80 is to all intents and purposes a CX-60 that’s been stretched. It’s available as either a 6 or 7 seater either with an extra centre console between the second-row ‘captains chairs’ (In the 6-seater, as per “my car”) or without one, should you prefer easier ‘walk-through’ access to the rearmost row – which might actually be best suited for children.

The boot is huge with rearmost row folded and significantly more modest in size with those extra dickie seats deployed. Thus you can carry your family, or their luggage, to the airport. I’ll let you decide which you deem more important.

Standing a little taller than the CX-60, the CX-80 might not be quite as visually attractive as the smaller car nevertheless, from the majority of angles it’s still quite easy to confuse one for the other.

“Very well accomplished”

Having driven both, I’d argue the CX-80 is the nicer to drive. The longer wheelbase, and softer suspension set-up make for a more forgiving, more unhurried, driving experience than that offered in sportier and somewhat more unforgiving feeling CX-60. Let’s not get carried away here, the CX-80 is never going to rival a Range Rover when it comes to ironing out the bumps, but as a long distance cruiser the CX-80 proves itself very well accomplished. That silky-smooth diesel and 8-speed auto ‘box combo also mean you’ll more often than not see close to 50mpg. I went to Sussex and back, easily, on a single tank of the oily stuff.

The question is: Would I really recommend you to spend nearly £60,000 on a Mazda? If you need something in which to clock-up the miles, something to tow with, something to carry your ever-expanding brood, something reliable, and something that’s going to surprise people by just how premium it feels: Yes, I definitely would.

And the fact that it’s a diesel, and it’s not an obvious choice? To me, that only adds to the CX-80’s appeal.

Mazda CX-80 3.3D 254ps AWD Takumi Plus with Captain Console (six seat layout)
Engine: 3,283cc 6Cyl e-Skyactiv D MHEV
Transmission: 8-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Power: 251 bhp @ 3,750 rpm
Torque: 406 lbft @ 1,500–2,400 rpm
0–62 mph: 8.4 Sec
Max Speed: 136 mph
CO2: 151 g/km
MPG: 48.7 (combined)
Price: from £59,845 (as driven £61,495)

Liam Bird( Writer )

Liam Bird first stepped into automotive journalism in 2009, and since then has gone on to write motoring-related content for numerous titles. A former approved driving instructor – he also holds a motorcycle, and a HGV licence – Liam is a member of the Guild of Motoring Writers and, despite being born on the other side of the border, is treasurer of The Welsh Motoring Writers. He lives in the South Shropshire Marches with his partner Rebecca, her VW Up!, and his ever increasing collection of cars both large and small. When he’s not writing, more often than not, Liam can be found test-driving something worryingly expensive.
@bird_liam

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