Mazda

CX-80

The Mazda CX-80 is a full-sized SUV with seating for six or seven occupants. There is choice of PHEV or straight-six diesel powertrains, along with a selection of generously-equipped trim levels.

Test Drive

Mazda CX-80 – First Drive (2025)

Mazda has introduced its new flagship model, the CX-80 – a spacious, full-sized family SUV offering seating for either six or seven occupants.

Essentially, it’s a stretched version of the CX-60 launched in 2022, with a longer wheelbase, increased shoulder, head, and hip room, all resulting in more comfort and space.

The stylish CX-80 comes in a choice trims called Exclusive Line, Homura, Homura Plus, Takumi, and Takumi Plus, with prices starting at £49,670. While it’s marketed as a seven-seater, you can opt for a six-seat configuration and can add a second-row central console for an additional £750.

Every CX-80 comes with all-wheel drive, but powertrain-wise buyers can choose between a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or a diesel engine. The PHEV features a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine paired with a 129kW electric motor and a 17.8kWh high-capacity battery, while the diesel offers a robust 3.3-litre, six-cylinder 254PS engine with 48V mild hybrid technology. For our test drive, we went with the diesel engine in the top-tier Takumi Plus grade costing £50,165 (£60,815 with options).

When viewed from the front, the CX-80 is strikingly similar to its smaller sibling, the CX-60, with both models featuring a sculpted bonnet, sleek light clusters, and a honeycomb-effect gloss black grille. However, the CX-80’s side-view has real kerb appeal thanks to its extended length, which maximises passenger space. Its profile showcases larger windows, straighter D-pillars, body-coloured wheel arches, as well as rear privacy glass, a panoramic sunroof, and 20-inch grey diamond-cut alloy wheels.

Mazda has introduced two new colours for the vehicle called Artisan Red and Melting Copper. Our test car came in Artisan Red, a striking shade that seemed to alter under different lighting conditions, giving it a distinctive appearance.

Moving inside, the cabin exudes sophistication and elegance, with soft-touch surfaces and premium fixtures throughout. The seats are upholstered in white Nappa leather and are power-adjustable, as is the steering wheel. The seats can be heated or ventilated, while the steering wheel can also be warmed against the winter chill. White maple wood accents add a touch of class, though the light wood didn’t quite complement the lighter upholstery. We felt a darker wood shade might have been a better match.

The CX-80’s focal point and nerve centre is a 12.3-inch central infotainment display, which is intuitively controlled via a rotary dial. Quick-access buttons provide shortcuts to key functions like radio, navigation, and phone settings. The system is easy to use on the move, and premium features like the 12-speaker Bose surround sound system and wireless smartphone connectivity are seamlessly integrated.

The driver display screen behind the steering wheel is clear and informative, featuring three circular dials that provide essential data, including speed and fuel efficiency, along with a head-up display for easy reference. We also appreciated the separate climate control panel, which helps minimise driver distraction by simplifying basic functions such as adjusting the cabin temperature without having to navigate touchscreen menus.

With its six or seven seats, the Mazda CX-80 needs to cover practicality requirements well and it certainly does that. The car stretches almost five metres in length and has a generous 3,120mm wheelbase which results in a spacious and well thought-out cabin.

This was especially noticeable in our six-seat configuration, where the second row featured two individual seats that offered armchair-like comfort. Up front, two tall adults can stretch out without feeling cramped, and the same goes for the second-row passengers. The six-seat layout comes standard on the Homura grade and above, but on our test car, it was a £750 option as it also included the additional console with cup holders and added storage.

These second-row seats are exceptionally sumptuous, with heating and cooling settings to enhance comfort. Additionally, unlike some competitors, the CX-80 provides rear seats that can comfortably accommodate passengers up to six feet tall.

Accessing the boot is easy with the hands-free powered tailgate, and there is 258 litres of storage space with all seats in place, 687 litres with the rear seats folded flat, and a massive 1,971 litres when only the front-row seats are used.

For added convenience, the vehicle boasts numerous storage compartments, including a glovebox, central cubby, door bins, cup holders for all occupants, seat back pockets, trays, a small compartment beside the driver’s door, a sunglasses holder, plenty of USB-C ports, and a wireless charging pad.

So, the all-new CX-80 looks appealing, is packed with tech and offers impressive levels of space and comfort. But how does it handle when faced with the open road? The answer is rather well.

Powering the car is the straight-six 3.3-litre diesel engine that Mazda introduced back in 2022. With an output of 254PS and 550Nm of torque, it can power to 62mph from a standing start in 8.4 seconds and onto a maximum speed of 136mph while delivering a combined 48.7mpg with carbon emissions of 151g/km. There’s a smooth eight-speed automatic transmission, along with steering wheel-mounted paddles for those moments when you want a bit more control.

Despite its length, the CX-80 feels agile on the open road with smooth, responsive acceleration providing plenty of power for confident overtaking. While it can feel a little unsettled on rougher roads when driven enthusiastically, it remains composed and comfortable during everyday driving.

On dual carriageways, the CX-80 is a relaxed cruiser, effortlessly maintaining 70mph. The Mi-Drive switch offers three driving modes called Sport, Normal and Off-Road making it easy to choose the right set-up for your driving style, with Sport mode offering the most excitement.

The elevated seating provides excellent all-round visibility for the driver, and the third-row headrests can be folded forward when not in use to ensure an unobstructed view through the rear window. Comfort levels are impressive, with the new suspension system coping with both the added size of the CX-80, along with the extra 200kg weight over its CX-60 stablemate.

Designed with family trips in mind, the CX-80 features all-wheel drive for better traction and can tow up to 2.5 tonnes, making it more than capable of pulling a caravan or trailer.

Vehicles with seven (or six) seats cater to a specific niche, but the Mazda CX-80 certainly checks all the right boxes in its pursuit of sales. It offers a sleek design without being overly flashy, is packed with advanced tech, drives smoothly, and is practical for everyday use. Plus, its impressive range of safety features and driver assistance systems are essential on any family car.