Review – Mazda CX-80 (2024) – New seven-seater plug-in hybrid

Mazda CX-80

Starting this fall, large Dutch families can finally get back into a Mazda with three rows of seats: the Mazda CX-80. The Japanese brand will begin pre-sales of the large SUV on May 7, which, with a starting price of 62,390 euros, is about four grand more expensive than the Mazda CX-60.

At nearly five meters in length and a wheelbase 25 cm longer than that of the CX-60, the new addition to the Mazda family is an impressive sight. The extra length translates to more interior space, allowing passengers to experience more comfort and freedom of movement than in the already no small CX-60.

Modest

The third row of seats, of course, is what the CX-80 is mostly about. At Mazda, they suggest that there is enough room for people up to about 5 feet tall. The Japanese, as is often the case, are very modest. Indeed, we, with our average Dutch height, sit surprisingly well in the back. So children will not be trapped there at all. Mazda cleverly installed two USB C sockets in the back, so little ones can spend hours there watching cartoons on their tablets. With four cup holders in the third row of seats, they won’t be thirsty anytime soon, either.

If the rear passengers still find themselves short of knee room, you can slide the rear seat forward by up to 12 inches or adjust the angle of the seatback. The CX-80 is also available with two separate captains seats combined with a center console or a walk-through to the third row.

Differ

From the front, by the way, it is hard to tell whether you are dealing with a CX-60 or CX-80. The design there retains Mazda’s signature style, but the side and rear of the CX-80 has a unique character, with a different D-pillar, the beautifully sculpted with a particularly shaped piece of aluminum. Of course, there is also an additional window for the rear passengers. With all rows of seats up, the luggage compartment holds 270 liters of stuff. With the third row of seats flat, you sit at 680 liters, which is over 100 liters more than in the CX-60.

Musubu stitching

The CX-80 almost completely takes over the interior of the CX-60. This is good news because few cars have a nicer interior. The interior offers a spacious feeling thanks to the continuous design from the instrument panel to the door trim. The Takumi trim adds a touch of luxury with white Nappa leather upholstery, maple wood trim and refined Japanese Musubu stitching.

Technology:

Mazda did not skimp on technological gadgets in the CX-80. The 12-inch infotainment system, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, offers good connectivity. The advanced system that automatically adjusts seat position, steering position and mirrors to suit the driver is useful if you regularly share the car with another driver.

With Alexa voice control, you can easily control various functions, from music to air conditioning, with voice commands. According to Mazda, this is a lot safer than operating a screen with your fingers while driving. And we can only agree with them on that. A second rearview camera, aimed at the tow bar, greatly facilitates the coupling of a caravan or trailer. The towing weight, as with the CX-60, is impressive: 2,500 kilograms.

Plug-in Hybrid

The CX-80 will be available only as a plug-in hybrid in the Netherlands, with the same powertrain as its smaller brother, the CX-60. The combination of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor produces fine performance: 327 hp and 500 Nm of torque. Power goes to all four wheels. With an 8-speed automatic transmission, the CX-80 accelerates from 0-100 km/h in just 6.8 seconds, with a top speed of 195 km/h. The 17.8 kWh battery pack offers an electric range of 53 km. In the video below, we tell you more about the big Mazda.