2026 Mazda CX-80 review

In Australia, Mazda has, count ‘em, seven SUVs. That’s more than in any other market.

Of these, four use a new rear-/all-wheel drive platform and new inline six-cylinder engines.

TheMazda CX-80is intended to be one of the higher-volume vehicles on what’s called the Large Architecture.

Think of it as a CX-60 that’s hit the growth spurt, blossoming into a three-row hauler ready to shoulder the duties of the outgoing CX-8 and CX-9. But don’t confuse it with the CX-90, a pricier, more exclusive sibling also boasting three rows; this one’s designed to be a more accessible family-mover.

The CX-80? Think stretched CX-60, not CX-90 mini-me. Sure, it sports that long, imposing hood familiar from Mazda’s larger SUVs, but something’s off. Picture a sausage – elegant length, same girth as the CX-60. That’s the CX-80. It echoes the slightly ungainly silhouette of the departed CX-8, trading outright bulk for a slender, almost hesitant stance.

Don’t let the CX-8’s familiar face fool you. Underneath, it’s a different beast entirely. Forget its predecessor; this Mazda’s sights are set higher, directly challenging the Kia Sorento, Toyota Kluger, and other titans of the SUV world.

Hyundai Santa Fe.

Should it be on your shortlist?

How much does the Mazda CX-80 cost?

Mazda’s CX-80: a symphony of choice. Unleash your driving desires with a petrol-powered G40e, a torque-rich D40e diesel, or the electrifying P50e plug-in hybrid. Then, ascend through the Pure, Touring, GT, and Azami trim levels, each a crescendo of luxury and features.

All trim levels bar the Pure can be had with each of the three powertrains. See? Plenty of variety here.

| Model | Price before on-road costs | | — | — | | 2026 Mazda CX-80 G40e Pure | $55,200 | | 2026 Mazda CX-80 G40e Touring | $62,200 | | 2026 Mazda CX-80 D50e Touring | $64,200 | | 2026 Mazda CX-80 G40e GT | $69,200 | | 2026 Mazda CX-80 D50e GT | $71,200 | | 2026 Mazda CX-80 G40e Azami | $74,400 | | 2026 Mazda CX-80 P50e Touring | $75,250 | | 2026 Mazda CX-80 D50e Azami | $76,400 | | 2026 Mazda CX-80 P50e GT | $82,250 | | 2026 Mazda CX-80 P50e Azami | $87,450 |

Think of the Mazda CX-80 G40e GT and the CX-90 G50e Touring as siblings, nearly twins in price. Both hover around $68,800 before you add on-road costs, placing them side-by-side within the Mazda SUV family. The real question is: which sibling’s personality suits you best?

To see how the Mazda CX-80 lines up against the competition, check out ourcomparison tool.

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What is the Mazda CX-80 like on the inside?

Been there, done that, driven that? We’ve practically lived in the CX-60, CX-70, CX-80, and CX-90. For us, they’re old hat. But if you’re new to the Mazda SUV party, buckle up. Let’s get you acquainted.

You sit in comfortable seats and look out at a dashboard that’s simple and generally elegant.

The GT gets a serious tech boost with a vibrant, 12.3-inch infotainment screen. Finally, touch control is here at least when mirroring your smartphone. The adjacent 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is visually appealing, but surprisingly omits a map display, a curious omission in an otherwise impressive setup.

The dashboard’s heavily grained trim evokes a pleasing retro vibe, its surface surprisingly soft to the touch – a luxury extended to the dash top and door panels. It’s a shame the same consideration wasn’t given to the center console sides; while their tops offer a comfortable, yielding surface for your knee, the lower sections remain unforgivingly hard.

"A word to the wise before you slide into the driver’s seat: Mazda’s dashboard design, while sleek, features air vents with a penchant for knee-on-knee combat. Prepare for a potential, shall we say,intimateencounter with hard plastic upon entry – you’ve been warned."

The interior is an inky expanse, a midnight sea subtly accented by elegant bronze stitching. A less successful metallic-effect trim claws for attention on the center console. Above, a panoramic sunroof floods the space with sunlight, a welcome upgrade from the stingy sliver of sky offered in the previous CX-9.

The Mazda DNA, a heady mix of brilliance and baffling choices, pulses through the CX-60, CX-70, and CX-90 alike. Prepare for a familiar cocktail of delight and disappointment. As for the CX-80 and its wide-bodied siblings? From the driver’s seat, discerning the difference is an exercise in futility.

Stretch out and breathe easy in the second row, where headroom and legroom are downright luxurious. Passengers are treated like royalty with dedicated climate controls, directional air vents, and handy seatback map pockets. Need to charge up? Twin USB-C outlets are at your service. And for ultimate comfort, a fold-down center armrest boasts integrated cupholders, while the outboard seats offer soothing warmth on chilly days.

Cramming into the third row of the Hyundai Palisade isn’t exactly a red-carpet experience. At six feet tall, I found my scalp tickling the headliner, and legroom behind the split-folding second-row seats? Non-existent.

Cramming adults in the back? Prepare to nudge the second row forward – legroom becomes a precious commodity. Kids, though, should be perfectly comfortable. Keep in mind, even the bigger CX-90 isn’t exactly spacious when it comes to foot space in the very back.

There’s a pair of USB-C outlets back here, plus cupholders and air vents.

Pop the GT’s hands-free tailgate, and discover a surprisingly spacious 169 liters of cargo room behind the third row, cleverly concealed beneath the cargo cover – perfect for stashing weekend essentials.

The cargo hold boasts 258 liters of capacity when you factor in the sneaky under-floor storage – a perk of ditching the spare wheel for a tire repair kit.

Transform your cargo capacity! Stow away the 50:50 split/folding third row and unleash a generous 566 liters of space. Need even more room? Collapse the 60:40 split/folding second row to reveal a cavernous 1,971 liters – perfect for everything from weekend getaways to serious hauling.

There’s a 12V outlet back here plus a 220V/150W power outlet.

| Dimensions | Mazda CX-80 G40e GT | | — | — | | Length | 4990mm | | Width | 1949mm (mirrors folded) 2134mm (mirrors extended) | | Height | 1710mm | | Wheelbase | 3120mm | | Boot space | 258L (incl. underfloor storage; to height of seatback) 566L (with third row folded) 1971L (with second and third row folded, measured to roof) |

To see how the Mazda CX-80 lines up against the competition, check out ourcomparison tool.

What’s under the bonnet?

The CX-80’s petrol engine stands out in a segment dominated by turbocharged petrol and diesel four-cylinder engines.

| Specifications | Mazda CX-80 G40e GT | | — | — | |Engine| 3.3L turbo inline 6cyl | |Electrification| 48V mild-hybrid | |Power| 209kW @ 5000-6000rpm | |Torque| 450Nm @ 2000-3500rpm | |Transmission| 8-speed auto | |Drive type| All-wheel drive | |Weight| 2114kg | |Fuel economy (claimed) | 8.4L/100km | |Fuel economy (as tested)| 9.1L/100km (inner-city, suburban and highway loop) 11.1L/100km (over the course of a week) | |Fuel tank capacity| 74L | |Fuel requirement| 91-octane regular unleaded | |CO2 emissions| 197g/km | |Emissions standard| Euro 5 | |Braked tow capacity| 2500kg |

To see how the Mazda CX-80 lines up against the competition, check out ourcomparison tool.

How does the Mazda CX-80 drive?

Mazda’s SUV lineup: a sea of sameness? Shared platforms, powertrains, and transmissions might lead you to believe each model offers an identical driving experience. But does it?

Coming directly out of a CX-70, however, the CX-80 is both frustratingly and refreshingly different at the same time.

Forget the usual suspects. Mazda’s CX-80 enters the ring swinging a rear-wheel-drive haymaker in a crossover class dominated by front-wheel-drive stalwarts. Think Toyota Kluger, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Kia Sorento – all built on a fundamentally different platform. The CX-80 dares to be different from the ground up.

The CX-80 sheds its skin, revealing a poised athleticism beneath. Gone is the predictable comfort of its rivals, replaced by a taut, responsive ride that begs to be driven.

The bumps telegraph through, a constant reminder of the road’s imperfections, yet the ride maintains its composure, never jarring. This isn’t the CX-60 of yesteryear, that awkward adolescent with a bone-jarring stiffness masking a lack of true body control. Mazda has clearly ironed out the kinks.

Navigating a cramped parking garage isn’t effortless. The steering requires genuine muscle; forget fingertip twirling – this demands two-handed commitment.

The CX-80 boasts a crystal-clear, surround-view camera that turns parking into a breeze. But traditionalists beware: if you’re a mirror devotee, prepare for a slight quirk. While the camera shines, the CX-80 only dipsonemirror in reverse. So, if you’re accustomed to both mirrors angling down for a complete view of the curb, you’ll need to adjust your habits.

Beneath the CX-80’s sleek Mazda skin beats the heart of something unexpected: a silken inline-six, boosted by mild-hybrid tech. Forget your typical family hauler – this powertrain whispers of Bavarian performance, a touch more BMW than your average Mazda.

The inline-six snarls a defiant tune in a landscape of hybrid whispers and four-cylinder sighs. On paper, it’s a symphony of power. In reality? A hesitant conductor. A noticeable lag off the line, a frustrating pause before the surge, muddies the experience. Blame the turbo or the gearbox, the result is the same: a tantalizing promise, slightly delayed.

The engine note, a sterile imitation of combustion, offers no discernible improvement over the clatter of its diesel sibling. An unflattering comparison, hinting at an engine robbed of its soul.

The CX-80’s allure is undeniable, but the real intrigue lies in how it stacks up against its stablemates. Prepare for some tough decisions in Mazda showrooms.

Think of the CX-80’s steering as the CX-90’s younger sibling – eager to please in tight spots like parking lots. While not feather-light, it offers a welcome reprieve from its larger counterpart, even if it doesn’t quite waltz through corners like some of the competition.

The CX-90’s steering? I dig the heft. Feels substantial. But let’s be real, wrestling a weighty wheel isn’t exactly a family SUV’s forte. Maybe feather-light is the way to go for soccer runs and school zones.

Consider the CX-90 a step up. While Mazda’s newest three-row SUV retains a firm ride – perhaps still not pillow-soft enough for family hauling – it’s a marked improvement over the jarring CX-60.

So what happened to the transmission, then?

Mazda’s new SUVs? Stunning designs, yes. Powertrain perfection? Not quite. These sophisticated vehicles suffer from some uncouth transmission manners. Expect a disconcertingclunkas you brake to a stop, and be prepared for awkward stumbles when transitioning from deceleration to acceleration. These drivetrains desperately need a finishing school diploma – or, at least, a software update.

The CX-80, flanked by the CX-70 and CX-90 in my recent memory, should have been a seamless experience. Instead, its automatic transmission felt inexplicably…off. Where the others purred, the CX-80 stumbled, leaving me scratching my head.

"The perfect automatic transmission in a car like this should be invisible, like expertly designed museum lighting. You shouldn’t be aware of its existence until it falters, at which point it becomes glaringly, unforgivably obvious."

Forget silent gear changes and seamless transitions. The CX-80 makes its presence known. Each shift is a tangible event, a deliberate mechanical ballet that’s either a quirk you embrace or a constant reminder that something isn’t quite polished. This isn’t a car for those seeking automotive anonymity.

Despite its turbocharged inline-six, the CX-80’s acceleration, while respectable, lacks the exhilarating punch one might anticipate. The engine note, disappointingly, remains subdued, failing to deliver the evocative soundtrack promised by Mazda’s new six-cylinder petrol SUVs.

Forget the smaller Mazdas for a moment. When it comes to the CX-80 versus the CX-90, the CX-90 emerges as the clear winner, capturing hearts and turning heads with its superior design and presence.

To see how the Mazda CX-80 lines up against the competition, check out ourcomparison tool.

What do you get?

The CX-80 is offered in four different trim levels.

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Mazda CX-80 Pure highlights:

• 18-inch grey metallic alloy wheels
• Tyre repair kit
• Automatic LED headlights with LED daytime running lights
• Automatic high-beam
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Rear intermittent wiper
• Power-folding, heated exterior mirrors
• 10.25-inch infotainment screen
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wireless and wired)
• DAB+ digital raido
• Satellite navigation
• 8-speaker sound system
• Head-up display
• 7.0-inch instrument cluster screen
• Dual-zone climate control with rear vents
• Black cloth upholstery
• Paddle shifters
• Tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter
• USB outlets for all three rows
• Electric parking brake with auto hold
• Idle stop/start
• Hill descent control

Touring adds:

• Power tailgate
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (P50e only)
• Leather upholstery
• 10-way power driver’s seat with two-position memory
• 8-way power passenger seat
• Heated front seats
• Wireless phone charger

GT adds:

• 20-inch black metallic alloy wheels
• Adaptive LED headlights
• Body-coloured wheel arches and lower cladding
• Hands-free power tailgate
• Panoramic sunroof
• 12.3-inch infotainment screen
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• Heated second-row seats
• Heated steering wheel
• 12-speaker Bose sound system
• Personalise system (auto restoration of settings)

Azami adds:

• 20-inch grey metallic, machined alloy wheels
• LED headlights with ‘bright signature’
• Black Nappa leather upholstery
• Ventilated front seats
• Ambient lighting
• Personalise system with Easy Entry & Driving position guide

Imagine tapping your phone and instantly commanding your CX-80 – that’s the power of Mazda Connected Services. Through the MyMazda app, you’re in control. Lock the doors, flash the lights, and more. Consider it your CX-80’s digital sixth sense, and this is just the beginning.

• Emergency SOS call
• Geofencing capability
• Curfew notification
• Vehicle locator services
• Stolen vehicle assistance
• Vehicle status and health

To see how the Mazda CX-80 lines up against the competition, check out ourcomparison tool.

Is the Mazda CX-80 safe?

Drive with unwavering confidence. The entire Mazda CX80 family, from its fuelsipping diesels to its electrifying plugin hybrids, has earned ANCAP’s highest safety accolade: a fivestar rating achieved through rigorous 2024 testing. This isn’t just safety; it’s peace of mind engineered into every CX80.

| Category | Mazda CX-80 | | — | — | | Adult occupant protection | 92 per cent | | Child occupant protection | 87 per cent | | Vulnerable road user protection | 84 per cent | | Safety assist | 83 per cent |

Standard safety equipment on the CX-80 includes:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)

• Junction assist
• Pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Reverse AEB

• Blind-spot monitoring
• Driver attention monitoring
• Emergency lane-keep assist
• Lane-keep assist
• Front cross-traffic alert
• Rear cross-traffic assist
• Safe exit warning
• Surround-view camera
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Front and front-side airbags
• Front far-side and knee airbags
• Curtain airbags (front and rear)
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• Traffic sign recognition

The Azami adds:

• Surround-view camera with see-through view
• Cruising & Traffic Support

To see how the Mazda CX-80 lines up against the competition, check out ourcomparison tool.

How much does the Mazda CX-80 cost to run?

The CX-80 is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty like the rest of the Mazda Australia lineup.

| Servicing and Warranty | Mazda CX-80 G40e GT | | — | — | | Warranty | 5 years, unlimited kilometres | | Roadside assistance | 5 years | | Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km | | Capped-price servicing | 7 years | | Average annual service cost | $620.42 | | Total capped-price service cost | $4343 |

To see how the Mazda CX-80 lines up against the competition, check out ourcomparison tool.

childcareman.xyz’s Take on the Mazda CX-80

Mazda’s new Large Architecture SUVs swing for the fences. The CX-80, on paper, reads like a gearhead’s wish list: rear-biased all-wheel drive, a silky inline-six. Yet, behind the wheel, the thrill fades. Instead of a triumphant successor, it feels like a diluted echo of the CX-9’s driving charm. The ambition is clear, but the execution leaves enthusiasts wanting.

The interior, while familiar, isn’t a revelation. In fact, new air vent placement promises a fresh perspective on knee pain.

Given the amount of investment in this new family of SUVs, including their new platform and powertrains, that’s disappointing.

Mazda’s latest SUV family? We applaud the ambition, even if the design playbook feels a tad…familiar.

Mazda’s CX-60 went through multiple refinements to reach its current form. Expect a similar, iterative journey for the CX-80, potentially evolving into a remarkably polished vehicle over time.

Forget the crossover cliché. Mazda, the masters of "zoom-zoom," dared to swerve off course. They didn’t just churn out another mundane, turbocharged four-cylinder SUV. They crafted something… unexpected.

For Mazda devotees, the CX-80’s allure might eclipse rivals like the Sorento. Just be warned: its charm comes with quirks. That transmission? Enthusiasts might find its clumsy shifts particularly grating.

However, if gearheads and engine enthusiasts aren’t part of your crew, the Hyundai Santa Fe offers a more compelling package overall.

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