Mazda CX-80 Review 2025: Price, specs & boot space
Quick overview
Pros
- Efficient plug-in hybrid
- Superb cabin quality
- Plentiful passenger space
Cons
- Diesel's emissions
- Wallowy handling
- PHEV engine noise
Verdict: Is the Mazda CX-80 a good car?
"Mazda is moving up a class with its CX-80, which takes on the likes of the Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento and the Land Rover Discovery Sport. Classy looks and build are present and correct, as is a plug-in hybrid powertrain, but the big diesel engine feels like a throwback nowadays."
Mazda is no stranger to the SUV market, so it makes perfect sense for it to top its range with the CX-80. Using the same undergarments as the CX-60, the CX-80 is stretched by 250mm between the wheels to create enough space inside for a third row of seats.
As a seven-seater, or a six-seat car with a choice of two layouts, the Mazda CX-80 is in contention with some of the biggest and best SUVs on the market. There's everything from the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento to the Land Rover Discovery and Volvo XC90. The likes of of the BMW X5 and Mercedes GLE are, perhaps, a step further upmarket, but the Mazda undoubtedly has the build quality to bear comparison with these potential rivals.
As you'd expect, Mazda has also gone with a plug-in hybrid powertrain for the CX-80 to put it on level terms with all of its competitors. This uses a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine mated to a 129kW motor that deliver a combined 327PS and impressive 500Nm of shove. The upshot is a claimed 176.6mpg average economy and EV driving range of up to 38 miles.
The Mazda CX-80 PHEV will be the car that appeals to company drivers and anyone with even half an eye on fuel costs. Or, you could opt for the 3.3-litre turbodiesel engine. Yup, Mazda has bucked the trend and gone for a big diesel motor, albeit with mild hybrid assistance from a 17PS electric motor.
For anyone who needs to tow up to 2500kg, the Mazda CX-80 3.3D will hold some appeal. However, it's a very small pool of buyers and they are served by some rivals that have a significantly higher towing capacity, such as the Land Rover Defender and Discovery. The Mazda CX-80 PHEV has the same maximum towing capacity as the diesel but we suspect it won't feel as at ease with such duties.
It may leave you wondering where the Mazda CX-80 fits into its class, then. However, take a seat inside and you soon realise the Mazda has plenty to offer in comfort, space and superb quality. The interior is put together with Savile Row attention to detail, while the infotainment is pleasingly easy to work - unlike many we could mention in this sector.
You can have the Mazda CX-80 as a traditional seven-seater, with a 2-3-2 layout, or with three rows of two seats and the option of a walk-through space between the middle row pews. Every seat offers excellent space and support, while the boot is just about big enough to carry some shopping or the family dog. Just don't buy one if you own a St Bernard...
A bit like Schnorbitz the dog (look him up), the Mazda CX-80 is more about comfort than fleet-footed dynamics. Where the shorter CX-60 is undeniably nimble and good to drive, the transition into the CX-80 with its extra length has lost much of that. There's a little too much lean in bends and too little steering feel for the Mazda to be considered alongside a BMW X3.
Choose the diesel version of the Mazda CX-80 and its ride is also firm, almost erring towards harsh on more ruptured surfaces. In the PHEV model, it's more compliant and a little more agile when turning into bends. However, use the full power on offer from the PHEV and its 2.5-litre engine becomes coarse and noisy.
All of this leaves the Mazda CX-80 in a bit of a quandary. Not quite posh enough to live with Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz large SUVs and not as good to drive as many others in the class, or Mazda's own CX-60. Its saving grace is the comfort and class of the interior, which few can match at an price.
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Is the Mazda CX-80 right for you?
Company car drivers will be interested in the Mazda CX-80 2.5 Skyactiv PHEV for its low emissions. However, it does miss out on the lower Benefit in Kind rate due to its sub-40-mile EV driving range. If you want a classy seven-seat large SUV, that might be a small price worth paying.
Far fewer will be willing to pay for the 3.3D version of the CX-80, which has a useful towing capacity. The smooth diesel engine is pleasing to use, but it's also out of step with most buyers' thinking in today's world.
What’s the best Mazda CX-80 model/engine to choose?
Much as we like the smooth, effortless urge of the 3.3-litre six-cylinder turbodiesel engine, it's hard to look past the 2.5-litre PHEV model with its low emissions and impressive combined economy figure. This model also handles more nimbly and rides bumps with greater refinement than its diesel counterpart. As for trim, the Homura offers a lengthy equipment list and decent value.
What other cars are similar to the Mazda CX-80?
There is no shortage of excellent cars in the large SUV sector, starting with the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia's Sorento and EV9 models. You should also consider the Skoda Kodiaq and Peugeot 5008, while a little further upmarket the Land Rover Discovery Sport and Volvo XC90 hold plenty of appeal.
Comfort and design: Mazda CX-80 interior
"Mazda is a master at mixing easy to use functional design with a style that appeals to both the eye and touch. Everything is made with a car and precision that adds to the ownership experience, and the CX-80 offers plenty of space for all its occupants."
If there is one area where the Mazda CX-80 has a distinct advantage over all its key rivals, its from the driver's seat. It's not so tall that you have to clamber up and in, but you still get the sense of being in a large SUV with a raised driving position.
Adjusting the seating position is simple thanks to electric seat adjustment as standard in all but the base Exclusive-Line trim - and that seems a bit mean to use in a car costing £50,000. Still, the driver's seat itself is trimmed in leather and is heated, as is the steering wheel.
The all-round vision from the driver's chair is good if you look directly in front or to the sides, but the oblique angles are obscured by the thick roof pillars.
The main dials ahead of the driver are digital ones and the presentation is a little fussy, so you do need a little while to be at home with this and spot the info you want at a glance.
No such complaints can be levelled at the rest of the controls or the superb infotainment set-up. Physical buttons (hurrah!) for the ventilation are easy to fathom and just as simple to use on the move.
You'll also find more than enough storage clustered around the driver and front passenger.
Quality and finish
We tried, we really did, but we couldn't find a single rough edge or sliver of sharp plastic anywhere in the Mazda CX-80's cabin. It truly is finished to a standard that elevates the CX-80 into the premier league in this respect.
All of the materials, with one exception, feel wonderfully solid and plush, and all of the controls with with Mazda's usual click-click regularity.
That one exception? It's the padded roll that runs across the upper stretch of the dash between the steering wheel on the right and passenger door on the left. It's neatly stitched but the padding feels just a little sparse and the material itself isn't as thickly lush as you might think it should be. Overall, though, there is a huge amount to like and admire in the way the CX-80 has been put together.
Infotainment: Touchscreen, USB, nav and stereo in the Mazda CX-80
Whichever trim of Mazda CX-80 you pick, they all come with an excellent 12.3-inch colour display. It can be used as a touchscreen when the car is at a standstill, but on the move you have to use the rotary controller on the centre tunnel. Far from being inconvenient, we quickly came to use this as our only interface with the main screen as it's so simple and precise.
The screen itself has pin sharp graphics, logical menus that will be familiar to anyone used to a modern Mazda, and there's also Alexa voice commands if you want to go down that route.
With Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Google Maps and Play Music, plus a fine Bose sound system with 12 speakers (in all but the base Exclusive-Line that has eight speakers), you are very well looked after with tech and sound clarity.
It's a pity, though, that only the top spec Takumi Plus model has wireless phone charging fitted as standard at this price point.
Space and practicality: Mazda CX-80 boot space
One of the reasons many drivers choose a large SUV is for the passenger space and versatility these cars offer. The Mazda CX-80 is bang on for this class as there is more than ample room for anyone sitting in the second row of seats. That applies to those in the outer two seats or whoever ends up in the middle.
You can also have the CX-80 with two seats in the second row, which only adds to the feeling of more than generous room for passengers.
Access to the third row seats is through the long rear doors that open wide, which will only be a problem in tightly packed parking spaces. The middle row of seats slide and tip forward, so there's enough space for an adult to climb into the back row.
Once installed in the third row, there is a lot of headroom, but the raised floor means knees end up being higher than is comfy for long journeys. Kids, though, won't have an issue and Mazda provides third row occupants with their own air vents and cupholders.
With the third row occupied, there's 258-litres of boot space on offer. It's not huge, but you will get a few shopping bags in there. Drop the rear-most seats and you can free up to 687-litres of cargo room. With all of the back seats tipped down, the CX-80 conjures up a maximum of 1971-litres of holdall space, though this does include the underfloor storage area in its calculation.
The load sill is not high and sits flush with the boot floor, but the tailgate opening is not as wide as we'd like. However, Mazda does offer its Trailer Hitch View camera to help with reversing up to a trailer. There is also a dedicated towing mode for the drivetrain to help when lugging a trailer.
Handling and ride quality: What is the Mazda CX-80 like to drive?
"You can have a wonderfully refined Mazda CX-80 and a CX-80 that rides smoothly. Unfortunately, you can't have both of these traits in the one car."
In fitting the Mazda CX-80 with two very different powertrains, Mazda has given its large SUV two very distinct driving characters. Let's start with the 2.5 Skyactiv PHEV.
With its four-cylinder petrol engine and plug-in hybrid system, you might think this would be the CX-80 that feels heavier and less agile. The opposite is what we've found and the PHEV turns into corners keenly and delivers just the right amount of steering feel for a large SUV with luxury leanings. It also grips well and follows the chosen line faithfully, although with more body lean than you get in a Hyundai Santa Fe or Skoda Kodiaq.
The CX-80 PHEV also does a commendable job of brushing aside lumpy road surfaces. It's not as accomplished in this as a Volvo XC90 or Kia Sorento, but still more than good enough for it not to be something you'll notice or comment on.
Step into the Mazda CX-80 3.3D, however, and it won't be long before you notice the marked difference in its ride comfort. The weight of the six-cylinder engine and its different layout under the bonnet all seem to conspire to give the CX-80 an unwelcome rough edge when it encounters poor roads.
The diesel's woes don't end there as it feels much heavier and less poised when heading into corners even at moderate speeds compared to the PHEV. It still grips keenly, but there's none of the fun or precision you get in a CX-60. As a result, you have to drive the CX-80 3.3D in a very leisurely manner whether you want to or not.
What engines and gearboxes are available in the Mazda CX-80?
As you'll have noted by now, there are two clear lines of Mazda CX-80 - the 2.5 Skyactiv PHEV petrol-hybrid and the 3.3D turbodiesel.
The diesel has some hybrid assistance, but you won't notice it as the car doesn't have any capacity to run on EV power alone. What you will notice when you press hard on the throttle is the smooth, unwavering power provided by the diesel. Its 0-62mph time of 8.4 seconds is not much to write home about, but this sells the engine short as it's all about how it just keeps on delivering without ever being harsh. It is an old-school experience in today's world, but it does feel effortlessly easy.
Switch into the Mazda CX-80 2.5 PHEV and it's a good deal quicker off the mark, covering 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds. That sounds much more like it, but you will have to suffer the noisy petrol motor's roar until you settle into a cruise. Then, the PHEV is at its happiest. You can also drive it in EV mode when there's sufficient charge in the battery and it will cover up to a claimed 38 miles on electricity.
Both versions of the Mazda CX-80 use the same eight-speed automatic gearbox, which is the only transmission on offer. It's slick and quick to change gear, while four-wheel drive is also fitted to all CX-80s.
Refinement and noise levels
If you want the quiet life in the Mazda CX-80, you need the 3.3-litre turbodiesel engine. It might not be on-trend in today's SUV world, but it is magnificently quiet when the car is trickling through town or cruising the motorway. The only time you will hear it is when you floor the accelerator pedal, and even then you're greeted with a cultured six-cylinder burr.
In the Mazda CX-80 2.5 Skyactiv PHEV, on the other hand, the four-cylinder petrol engine becomes too rowdy for our ears when worked hard. It does settle to an acceptably quiet tone when driven more gently, but it's not nearly as smooth as the diesel. In EV mode, the PHEV is more appealing, so it's a good idea to keep that battery topped up with charge when you can.
Some tyre noise can be heard in both models, which we've tried with 20-inch wheels so far. That aside, there's little wind noise from inside the Mazda CX-80 and it's on a par with rivals such as the Kia Sorento and Skoda Kodiaq for overall refinement.
Safety equipment: How safe is the Mazda CX-80?
The Mazda CX-80 had no trouble scoring a five-star rating from Euro NCAP in its crash tests. This came with a superb 92% rating for adult occupant safety, as well an 88% score for child occupant safety and 84% for vulnerable road user protection.
This sort of performance is unsurprising when you learn the CX-80 comes with twin front, side and curtain airbags, as well as one for the driver's knees and a central airbag between the front passengers. This is augmented by lane keep assistance, blind spot assist, and automatic emergency braking on all models.
Every CX-80 also has land departure warning, front and rear cross traffic alert, driver fatigue monitoring, e-Call, traffic sign recognition, and hill descent control.
There is also an optional Convenience and Safety Pack, which is tailored to the PHEV or diesel models. Both come with a 360-degree parking camera and trailer camera, Cruising and Traffic Support, Mazda Radar Cruise Control, and Adaptive LED headlights. To add this costs £200 more for the PHEV than it does for the diesel as the PHEV's pack also includes a 1500W AC socket.
MPG and fuel costs: What does a Mazda CX-80 cost to run?
"The plug-in hybrid Mazda CX-80 offers the best economy and has a claimed 38-mile EV driving range."
Both business and private buyers are likely to pick the Mazda CX-80 2.5 Skyactiv PHEV over the 3.3D for its lower emissions and greater fuel economy. The PHEV is claimed to deliver 176.6mpg if you make the most of its EV driving range. Forget to charge up and that drops to 34.9mpg, which is much less impressive, though the Mazda still has a longer EV driving range than an equivalent four-wheel drive version of the Hyundai Santa Fe.
In our time with the 3.3D, around 39mpg was showing on the clock versus a claimed bets of yup to 49.6mpg. That compares well against rivals like the Hyundai Santa Fe where we've seen low 30s for the hybrid.
Mazda CX-80 reliability and warranty
Mazda has a reputation for its cars lasting well, though 15th position in the most recent HonestJohn Satisfaction Survey only puts the company mid-table out of 29 manufacturers.
The CX-80 comes with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty, which is fine by far from exceptional when Kia offers seven years and 100,000 miles of cover. However, the plug-in hybrid model's battery is protected by an eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty separate from the rest of the car.
Mazda CX-80 insurance groups and costs
If keeping insurance costs is your main concern, a large SUV might not be the car for you. However, for those thinking in this way, the Exclusive-Line trim in either PHEV or diesel forms sits in group 37 (out of a total of 50).
The Homura and Takumi trims reside in group 38, while the Plus versions of these trims edge into group 39 to be the most expensive to get cover for. These are all higher than you'll find for the Kia Sorento.
VED car tax: What is the annual road tax on a Mazda CX-80?
Thanks to carbon dioxide emissions of between 35- and 36g/km for the Mazda CX-80 2.5 Skyactiv PHEV, you'll pay the reduced rate of £110 for the first year of Vehicle Excise Duty, or road tax to give it the familiar name. You'll also have to pay the £410 surcharge levied on new cars costing more than £40,000, which includes all CX-80s.
The 3.3D version of the CX-80 emits anything from 148g/km to 151g/km. Doesn't sound like much of a difference but means the lower emitting version of the diesel will pay £540 in first-year road tax compared to £1360 for those with higher emissions. And that's on top of the £410 charged for cars costing above £40,000.
In subsequent years, that £410 levy still applies till the Mazda passes its fifth birthday, but annual road tax drops to a standard rate of £195.
Mazda CX-80 price
"The cheapest Mazda CX-80 just sneaks in under £50,000, but the priciest will cost you more than £59,000 to put it in contention with some very premium rivals."
The most cost-effective route to owning a Mazda CX-80 is through the 2.5 Skyactiv PHEV models. They cost from £49,670 for the Exclusive-Line model. Next is the Homura at £52,820. Choosing the 3.3D diesel version of either of these will add £2535 to the price tag. The same premium for the diesel applies if you go for the Takumi trim that costs from £53,777 in 2.5 PHEV form.
The Homura Plus will require a spend of £55,470 for the PHEV or £56,420 for the Takumi Plus. If you want either of these trims with the diesel engine, you'll pay an extra £2745.
Desirable options such as the panoramic glass roof adds £1000 to the bill, while the six-seat captains chair seat layout for Takumi Plus will cost £750 but does come with heated and ventilated second row seats.
Trim levels and standard equipment
There are three basic trim levels on offer for the Mazda CX-80, as well as two Plus bonus levels for the pair of upper model versions. All trims are offered with both the plug-in hybrid and diesel engines.
The range gets going with the Exclusive-Line that comes sitting on 18-inch alloy wheels. It also has all-round parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers and front wiper de-icing, automatic headlights, roof rails, reversing camera, and powered tailgate with remote operation.
On the inside, the Exclusive-Line has black leather upholstery, grey roof liner, manually adjusted front seats with heating, and the 12.3-inch infotainment screen with rotary controller. There's also cruise and climate controls, and a head-up driver's display, while the PHEV models come with AC charging cables.
Next in line is the Homura that has black-painted 20-inch alloy wheels, piano black front grille and door cap covers, and wheelarch and side mouldings in body colour. The interior has a black headlining, Nappa leather in black, electrically adjusted front seats, electric steering column adjust, ambient lighting, and a 12-speaker Bose stereo. There's also the no-cost option of a six-seat configuration with captains chairs in the second row.
For the Homura Plus, you gain a 360-degree camera, adaptive LED headlights, panoramic glass roof, and rear privacy glass. This trim also has illuminated door pockets, wireless phone charging, adaptive cruise control, and Mazda's Cruising and Traffic Support.
The Takuma trim has 20-inch diamond cut alloy wheels, heated outer seats in the second row, White Maple leather upholstery and matching wood trim. Go for the Takumi Plus and you get all this as well as the same extra kit fitted to the Homura Plus.
Ask the heycar experts: common questions
Is the Mazda CX-80 just a seven-seat CX-60?
Where is the Mazda CX-80 built?
How big is the Mazda CX-80?
Mazda Cx 80 Alternatives
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