The all-new CX-80 has been launched in the UK – billed by Mazda as the new flagship of its line-up.
This elegant-looking family SUV offers three rows of seating, a high-quality cabin and technically advanced drivetrains.
Sitting above the CX-60, it’s the most spacious SUV ever offered by Mazda in Europe.
The CX-80 comes with a choice of two engines – a six-cylinder diesel or a plug-in hybrid petrol variant.
At the official UK media launch, we tested it in both flavours.
That makes for a 0-62mph time of 6.8 seconds, which feels swift for such a sizeable vehicle. That power is available from the moment you press the accelerator and is relatively smooth in delivery. In everyday driving scenarios, the engine is fairly refined, but I was aware of a fairly loud high-pitched sound under heavy acceleration.
The 17.8kWh battery allows for a claimed electric range of 38 miles, although that’s likely to be in the 25 to 30-mile bracket in real-world driving conditions.
My personal preference was the diesel option – a 3.3-litre mild hybrid unit first introduced in the CX-60.
It delivers 251bhp and 406lb ft of torque, allowing for a 0-62mph time of 8.4 seconds and a fuel economy figure of nearly 50mpg.
The diesel’s subtle growl seems more suitable for the CX-80’s refined characteristics than the sound produced by the hybrid.
On twisty roads, the CX-80 feels tidy and trustworthy, with body lean well contained and the suspension being compliant. The steering is accurate enough, but doesn’t provide huge amounts of feedback.
In terms of looks, the CX-80 is a handsome beast, with confident creases reflecting the light at different angles to add intrigue to the sizeable panels needed to built a seven-seat SUV.
As the latest model from Mazda’s Large Product Group, it has similar design characteristics to the CX-60, especially in terms of its nose.
The extended side windows feature thicker surrounds that are straighter at the D Pillar to emphasise the presence of the third-row of seating, while the roof rails highlight the length of the CX-80’s cabin.
Dimensionally, the all-new Mazda CX-80 sees the wheelbase grow by 250mm compared to the CX-60 to deliver the space needed for the three-row interior. It is also 26mm taller than the CX-60, with an identical width.
The driving position is excellent, while passengers are afforded plenty of headroom and legroom in an in interior that has a genuine premium feel, following the ‘Crafted in Japan’ ethos.
The CX-80 is available in the UK across five grades: Exclusive-Line, Homura, Takumi, Homura Plus and Takumi Plu. Takumi and Takumi Plus grade Mazda CX-80s feature white Nappa leather, maple wood trim and Japanese hanging stitching on the light fabric dash panel, while the Homura grade contrasts this with a darker cabin ambiance that features a black interior with Nappa leather upholstery and hair-line gunmetal trim finishes
Jeremy Thomson, Managing Director of Mazda Motors UK, said the CX-80 would allow Mazda to challenge the established premium brands in the UK.
On the evidence seen on the launch, it has a good chance of doing just that. It drives solidly, it offers bags of versatile space, and provides decent equipment levels across all trims.
Mazda CX-80 Exclusive-Line
PRICE: £49,670
ENGINE: 2.5-litre e-Skyactiv PHEV 327ps
TRANSMISSION: Eight-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
ECONOMY: 35g/km and 176.6 mpg (weighted combined)
EV RANGE: 38 miles
0-62MPH: 6.8 seconds
TOP SPEED: 121 mph
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