In a time when every man and his dog ‘needs’ an SUV, Mazda has embraced the market and offers a total of eight distinct SUV models; the CX-3, CX-5, CX-8, CX-9, CX-30, CX-60, CX-90, and MX-30.
Today brings that SUV model range up to nine, with the addition of the CX-80, the car being launched.
DriveLife has spent an extensive amount of time behind the wheel of every Mazda SUV, and have generally found them to be refined, dynamic and well-built cars – as we’ve come to expect from Mazda.
So, will the all-new CX-80 simply slot in between the CX-60 and CX-90 with only a size difference between the two? We headed to Auckland to check the new model out.
Mazda New Zealand – Model Update
The CX-30 is still considered a key player in Mazda’s brochure of SUVs, especially with the recently introduced SP25. This has been so popular that Mazda is launching an SP version of the Mazda3 soon.
The MX-5 continues on, with its 35th birthday in 2024. It still remains an affordable sports car, says Mazda, and we have to agree.
The CX-5 will not be stopping any time soon, especially since it’s the largest volume seller for Mazda in New Zealand. As a hangover from its generation, while other newer Mazda SUVs get sexy names like Homura and Takami, the CX-5 goes on with its “non-emotional” model names like GSX. Interestingly, the gender split for buyers of the CX-5 is 50/50 male/female.
So, what about the new kids on the block, the CX-60 and CX-90 Buyer data says that 70% of buyers of these two models are existing customers, who have “embraced the new price points and new models”, says Mazda. CX-60 buyers are predominantly male, with half of sales of that model as the 3.3-litre, six-cylinder version.
This compares to the CX-90 where 60% of CX-90 buyers are male, and younger. Two thirds under 50 years old, and predominantly family buyers.
As a side note, that sales data and buyer info gives some reasoning of why Mazda buyers return to the brand time and again; Apparently the 5 year unlimited-kilometre warranty, 5 years of Roadside Assist, and 5 years of free scheduled servicing keeps Mazda owners coming back.
2024 Mazda CX-80: Overview
Mazda New Zealand says the CX-80 is the replacement for the CX-8 and CX-9, as the CX-80 is physically closer to those models than the CX-60 or CX-90. The diesel-powered CX-8 has represented around 5% of Mazda sales in New Zealand, with a couple of thousand sold over its lifecycle here. The CX-9 was introduced here in 2016, with its 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder turbo-petrol motor, and has been a popular model with 6,000 sold. Production for the CX-9 finished last year, and with the CX-8 and CX-9 being 6th generation Mazda products, it’s time for them to leave the market.
According to Mazda, the new CX-80 continues the vision of “creating a moving experience through the joy of driving”. We’d be spending some time over the next two days in both models and on windy roads, so will get a good feel as to whether or not they have nailed that brief.
The CX-80 is the 4th product off the Large Product Platform for Mazda, and the third model to be introduced into New Zealand. DriveLife will be spending 3 weeks behind the wheel of the 4th model, the CX-70, in Canada over the Christmas break and will be reporting back on it.
2024 Mazda CX-80: Models and drivetrains
We’ll see two CX-80 models here, separated by powertrain and trim levels. Mazda is very keen to point out that the entry SP model is not entry-level specs; it’s extremely well-equipped, they say. The top-spec model will follow the naming convention of other CX models, with Takami. Both models are all-wheel drive and have 7 seats.
As the 7th generation of SUV, Mazda says the CX-80 is a “design evolution from the CX60”, with a longer wheelbase, but the car is pretty much the same right up to the A-pillar. In fact, Mazda says the CX-60, CX-80 and CX-90 are all almost identical up to the A-pillar. That longer wheelbase means passengers up to 1.7m tall will be able to sit in the third row, says Mazda.
On the outside, the design follows the other two CX models it sits between, with what is claimed is a “simplicity in design, with no extra badges or grilles etc, making it as simple as possible”. The car looks so similar to the CX-60 and CX-90, we have no arguments on this front. It’s a great-looking SUV, potentially one of the best-looking SUVs in the market.
The CX-80 and CX-90 share the same wheelbase, but the difference is in both the width and length, with obviously the CX-90 being around 100mm longer and it’s also wider. Strangely, the CX-80 has more boot space than the CX-90, with an excellent 258 litres with the third row up, and 566 litres with the third row down. With all rows down, the total space is 1,971 litres. The extra space over the CX-90 is down to the underfloor storage since the CX-80 does not have a spare wheel.
All three models (CX-60- CX-80, CX-90) share the same a 3.3-litre straight six with mild hybrid powertrain, with the CX-60 and CX-80 available with a 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder plug-in hybrid. All modes have an 8-speed automatic transmission, where the gearbox has two clutches (but is not a dual-clutch automatic).
The e-SKYATCTIV G 3.3 M Hybrid drivetrain puts out 209kW of power, and 450Nm of torque, with fuel consumption rated at 8.4L/100km.
In comparison, the 2.5 e-SKYACTIV PHEV motor manages a healthy combined rating of 241kW and 500Nm of torque. This motor uses fuel at a suggested 1.7L/100km, and has up to 59km of pure EV range from its 17.8kWh battery pack. This model has a 1,500-watt power socket in the boot for plugging in 240-volt appliances, to run off the battery pack.
Both models of CX-80 have a braked tow rating of 2.5 tons (unbraked is 750kg).
2024 Mazda CX-80: Pricing
CX-80 SP 3.3 $74,990
CX-80 PHEV $80,990
CX-80 Homura PHEV $89,990
2024 Mazda CX-80: Drive Impressions
Unlike other car launches, we’d be spending some good time behind the wheel of both CX-80 models for the next two days, driving north to the all-new Te Arai Links golf course.
That meant 90 minutes of driving to get there, from stop-start traffic on the Southern Motorway in the pouring rain, to SH1 north of Auckland then on to very windy roads out to Tomarata, and the golf course.
It all feels very familiar inside the cabin of the CX-80; there’s the same wide centre console from the CX-60 and CX-90, and all the controls both on the console and the dash are in exactly the same place. It’s the same scenario for the steering wheel controls, dash and aircon controls – all the same as the CX-60 and CX-90, and pretty much the same as every other Mazda sold new today. Brilliant, and easy to just get in and go. For existing Mazda owners, this is bliss.
That’s not to say the controls are hard to learn; the AC controls are all physical buttons on the dash, and Mazda’s UI is easy to learn.
My first day in the new CX-80 was in the plug-in hybrid version, and I had memories of the jerkiness in the hybrid system that was evident in the early CX-60 plug-in hybrids. We were assured by Mazda that updates have been applied, and the jerkiness was all but gone, with more work on the system being done. While most of our driving would not be in the city where you would feel such jerkiness, the car has definitely improved and is so much more pleasant to drive. When we get a new CX-80 PHEV to review, we can test this out fully.
The drive assist systems are as you’d expect in a Mazda – perfectly tuned to the car. I got no false alerts for the driver monitoring systems, and other driver aids simply worked as they should. After a string of Chinese brands with driver aids that do not work well, the systems in the CX-80 show others how it’s done.
Like the CX-90, the car feels so planted on the road, and also so refined; road and wind noise are extremely well controlled, and you feel both disconnected from the outside world, but also engaged in driving the car. This is not an easy feat to accomplish, but it’s a highlight of the CX-80. Ride quality is very good overall, even in some of the roadworks we went through later on the drive.
The engine and drivetrain of the PHEV version of the CX-80 is one we’re already familiar with, and feels no different to the CX-60 – except for the improvement in the drivetrain already mentioned. It’s easily powerful enough, and sounds very, very nice when you have to wind the engine out to pass slower traffic. Performance in this model is excellent, as expected.
Handling on the windy road out towards Mangawhai was a surprise; I thought the car might roll more than the CX-60, with the CX-80’s longer wheelbase, but it doesn’t. It all feels well tied down, and in normal Mazda fashion, is a fun drive. You don’t expect that from a large SUV. Part of this is likely down to Mazda’s Kinematic Posture Control (KPC), which Mazda says “when cornering, Mazda-unique technology brakes the inside rear wheel to mitigate roll and draw the car body downwards, stabilising vehicle posture”. It works, that’s the main thing.
After getting to Te Arai Links at Tomarata, the car had used 5.6L/100km of petrol. This is a fair way higher than the 1.7L/100km suggested by Mazda, but we’ll wait to review the car fully to pass judgement. Power economy was a more respectable 16.6kWh/100km, a good number to achieve.
Te Arai Links is an amazing place; while the $50,000 joining fee might not entice me, the venue is stunning. It’s brand new, and two of its courses have just made the top 100 golf courses in the world. This achievement has meant an influx of overseas visitors, doing the 25-minute helicopter trek from Auckland. Another achievement is it 12-hole putting green – the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere. With accommodation, restaurants, mountain biking, water sports, tennis and pickleball, it is truly a destination venue.
The next day, I jumped into the ‘base’ six-cylinder CX-80 for the return drive to Auckland. Instantly, I love the sound of this engine. Mazda had big balls to launch a straight-six engine in 2023, but boy has it paid off – this engine is excellent. It’s not the powerhouse you might think it is, but while the 2.5-litre PHEV model feels refined, there is no comparison to the six-cylinder motor. It purrs at normal speeds, and then when you have to pass slower traffic, it howls so well. It’s not as powerful as you might think for a turbocharged, 3.3-litre six-cylinder engine, but it’s sheer refinement makes up for this.
While this is considered to be the entry-level car, I don’t see a lot of missing equipment. Gone are the ventilated front seats, sunroof, steering assist and electric steering wheel adjustment. I do like steering assist systems, but I could do without the other things that were missing if I wanted to save some cash and get the base-specification CX-80.
The rest of the car feels identical, as you’d expect. On getting back to base, my fuel economy for this car was 7.7L100km. While most of that was motorway driving, it’s still an excellent figure for a large, heavy, six-cylinder petrol SUV.
2024 Mazda CX-80: Summary
I was a bit dubious about the CX-80; surely it was just a slightly bigger CX-60, and a slightly smaller CX-90? What was the point of the model? After driving it and using it, I’m sold. It feels like the goldilocks model in the CX range; seven seats, great looks, a great driving experience and plenty of equipment. There’s a lot to love about the all-new Mazda CX-80.
We’ve got a model booked in for full review in January. Join our mailing list to ensure you see this review when it’s published.
2024 Mazda CX-80: Specifications
Standard equipment list includes features such as black leather seats, a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat and 8-way power adjustable front passenger seat, heated front seats, three zone-air-conditioning, a 12.3-inch colour TFT central touch screen and HMI Command controller, audio system with 8 speakers, Bluetooth, Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, an Active Driving Display and Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC).
For added comfort and convenience, the SP features a power tailgate, rear privacy glass, a 360° View Monitor, 150 W AC supply and wireless phone charging capability.
The CX-80 Homura further adds the Driver Personalisation System, adaptive LED headlights, and hands-free functionality for the power tailgate. See-Through View with Trailer Hitch View supplement the 360° View Monitor system, whilst panoramic glass sunroof, and a high-power 12-speaker Bose audio system.
Externally, both SP and Homura feature a uniform exterior body colour, a piano black honeycomb grille with black chrome signature wing and side signature plating, piano black door mirrors, and aerodynamic 20-inch black metallic alloy wheels.
As standard, there is also:
- All-wheel drive
- Seven seats
- Driver Personalisation System recognises the driver and automatically adjusts seat position, steering wheel, mirrors, Active Driving Display, even the sound and climate control settings.
- Wireless 15 W smartphone charging tray. Homura PHEV model equipped with 1,500 W AC power supply, to enable a wide range of outdoor activities to be carried out independently of the mains supply.
- Third row seating with USB-C charge port and headroom for occupants up to 1700 mm tall
- Three-zone air-conditioning with second row controls and third row seating vents
Choice of two model grades: SP and Homura
- Both grades feature comprehensive equipment, including three zone-air-conditioning, a 12.3-inch colour TFT central touch screen, Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, leather seat trim and 20-inch alloy wheels
- Homura adds: Panoramic sunroof, Bose audio system, Driver Personalisation system and 1,500W AC power supply
The all-new Mazda CX-80 is on sale now at Mazda dealers nationwide.
More information: www.mazda.co.nz
