New Mazda CX-80 flagship a premium challenger
Mazda’s ambitious move into the premium segment of the car market has been gathering pace with first the mid-sized CX-60 and now the new flagship, the CX-80.
Using the Mazda concept ‘Graceful Toughness’, it is very much like its smaller sibling with a distinctive grille and headlight design.
A brand long famed for its reliability, innovation (see the rotary engine) and iconic sports cars (see the MX-5), it still features those attributes, but now offers a challenge to the German market leaders – at a sensible price.
With a starting price of just under £50k, the entry-level Exclusive-Line offers 18-inch metallic alloy wheels and matte black side mouldings. The Homura and Homura Plus models feature 20-inch black alloy wheels and matching mirrors, while the Takumi and Takumi Plus have 20-inch two-tone grey metallic wheels with body-coloured mirrors. Across the range there is a host of the standard equipment you would expect on a premium model.
The big vehicle demonstrates Mazda’s commitment to a multi-layered approach to its engine production. While still committed to the Government's electrification targets, the brand still offers a choice of petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and EV models. The CX-80 utilises the same units as CX-60, with a choice of a plug-in hybrid combining a Skyactiv-G 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a 129 kW electric motor and a 17.8 kWh high-capacity battery, or Mazda's powerful six-cylinder 254 PS 3.3-litre e-Skyactiv D diesel engine.
Longer and taller than the CX-60, which itself has been tweaked for 2025, the longer wheelbase means there is extra room to accommodate the third row of seats, which can be arranged in either six, or seven-seat combinations.
The interior has that premium feel with range toppers featuring white Nappa leather, maple wood trim and soft touch finishes throughout. Controls are logically placed and central is the Mazda Connect system, displayed on a 12.3” screen which allows access to vehicle information, DAB Radio, Bluetooth connectivity for calls and contacts, and a European Navigation system with seven years of free map updates.
The flagship also features Amazon Alexa in-car voice control to play music, check the weather, set a destination, control the air-conditioning and more. It also comes with a couple of eye-catching and eye-catchingly named colours, including the Artisan Red and Melting Copper, which join a palette of nine options.
On the road, both powertrains are impressive performers. The PHEV delivers 327PS and 500Nm of torque, making a strong towing vehicle. It uses an eight-speed automatic transmission and Mazda’s i-Activ all-wheel drive. It’s electric only range of 38 miles, however, does not compare well to some rivals.
The 254PS diesel engine includes a 48V mild hybrid system to boost performance and economy but is also specifically engineered to reduce emissions, particularly NOx, to a third of the Euro 7 compliance level. Both are quick off the mark, the plug-in hits 60mph in 6.8 seconds. with a theoretical economy of 176.6mpg and CO2 emissions of 35-36g/km. The battery fully charges in 2 hours and 20 minutes.
The diesel is also quick off the mark, hitting 62mph in 8.4 seconds, with CO2 emissions starting at 148g/km and offering good economy for such a large engine.
However, on a relatively short drive on both, it was impossible to properly gauge economy.
The drive comes via a slick-shifting eight-speed auto box, which can be switched to steering wheel paddles for a more engaging drive.
On a mix of main roads, winding country lanes, and potholed narrow streets, this large vehicle handles surprisingly well. Inevitably there is some noticeable body roll when taking corners, but it still feels quite stable overall. Additionally, it offers excellent manoeuvrability with a great turning circle.
There is a bit of wind noise, and the large wheels - up to 20 inches - can generate significant road noise on rough surfaces. However, the ride quality is generally good, although it can become unsettled on some of the bumpier tracks.
It is also highly practical, with 258 litres of stowage space available when the third-row seats are up, and 687 litres with the second row folded. With all seats down, a huge 1,971 litres is available via the standard hands-free powered tailgate.
With a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating, it features Mazda’s i-Activsense systems like Cruising & Traffic Support, Unresponsive Driver Support, Smart Brake Support and Emergency Lane Keeping. It also features 360-degree monitor with an extended field of view at low speeds, Hill Descent Control, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Traffic Sign Recognition.
Special features for elderly passengers include lower seatbelt loads and knee airbags. Another clever addition is Rear Seat Alert which notifies the driver of items or passengers left in the rear seats when exiting the vehicle. Its purpose is to prevent leaving children or personal belongings behind.
Commenting on the all-new Mazda CX-80, Jeremy Thomson, Managing Director, Mazda Motors UK, said: “The Mazda CX-80 is a car that will allow us to challenge the established premium brands in the UK market with a luxury SUV that is the most spacious car in Mazda’s European line-up. This opens the Mazda brand up to UK customers who need the space and practicality of a three-row large SUV.”.
