2026 Mazda CX-80 review
It’s hard to believe ‘large SUV’ as a segment barely existed 20 years ago.
Vehicles such as the Ford Territory and Toyota Kluger took the practicality of traditional large 4x4s and added better road manners, a recipe that became so popular there are now more than 30 models offered in the sub-$80k category alone (and nearly as many again at the luxury end).
The Mazda CX-80 is one of four SUVs that employ the company’s ‘large architecture’ – the others being the mid-sized CX-60 and the larger CX-70 and CX-90. Though similar to the CX-70 and CX-90 in many ways, the CX-80 takes the broadest approach to family motoring, with three powertrain options, two seating configurations, and a wide price spread.
How much does the 2026 Mazda CX-80 cost?
The Mazda CX-80 comes with a choice of three all-wheel-drive powertrains and several model grades.
On the bottom rung is the G40e Pure mild-hybrid petrol for $55,700 before on-road costs. Above that are the Touring ($62,700), GT ($69,700), Azami ($74,900) and Azami SP ($79,900).
Only the petrol range offers a Pure spec level, with the mild-hybrid diesel lineup starting at the Touring for $64,700. Next up are the GT ($71,700), Azami ($76,900) and Azami SP ($82,300).
Unlike its CX-70 and CX-90 brethren, the CX-80 is also offered as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) with a 65km pure electric range and claimed 2.7L/100km fuel economy. These PHEVs start at $75,750 for the Touring and top out at $93,419 for the Azami SP.
The Mazda CX-80 bridges the gap between regular large SUVs and low-end luxury models (something reflected in the almost $40,000 disparity between base petrol and flagship PHEV), so the list of potential competitors is extensive.
These range from the MG QS ($46,900), Hyundai Santa Fe ($54,400) and Nissan Pathfinder ($60,220), all the way up to the Audi Q7 ($108,815) and Genesis GV80 ($120,000). This is also the territory of popular urban-focused off-roaders such as the Isuzu MU-X ($49,900), Ford Everest ($59,490) and Toyota Prado ($73,200).
The Mazda CX-80 is covered by a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, which is par for the course at the luxury end but a bit ungenerous compared to many cheaper large SUVs. The service schedule is every 12 months or 10,000km, with the total cost over five years around $2500-$3500 depending on the powertrain.
— Kris Ashton
What is the 2026 Mazda CX-80 like inside?
If the upper echelons of the CX-80 model list are to compete with luxury brands the cabin needs to have a plush and spacious feel – and it does. In the Azami, padding is the order of the day, with dashboard, doors, armrest, and knee rest on the centre console all soft-touch and tactile. Similar attention to comfort and cushiness is found in the second row.
Cabin styling is sensible and elegant but not pedestrian, with a nice balance and cohesion in the way panels and components fit together. The kelpie-coloured interior that comes with the SP pack (fitted to our test vehicle) won’t be to everyone’s liking, but we found it added a warmth and richness that upped the CX-80’s luxury feel another notch.
The main thing that sets the CX-80 apart from the CX-70 (with which it shares engines and a platform) is its seating arrangement. Where the CX-70 is a dedicated five-seater with a capacious cargo area, the CX-80 has either seven seats or an optional 2+2+2 configuration with captain’s chairs in the second row (SP package only). The logic for opting for the captain’s chairs seems to be parents + grandparents + kids, with the deletion of the second-row centre seat allowing adult passengers more comfort and mod cons.
RELATED: 2026 Mazda CX-70 review
In the Azami SP (our test vehicle), these include a fair-sized glove box/centre armrest, two drink holders (plus two more in each door), two USB-C charging points, two reading lights and two window shades. Best of all, second-row occupants have dedicated air conditioning controls including moveable/closeable vents, temperature and fan controls, and seat heaters and coolers.
Access to the third row is good for an SUV (as distinct from a people mover or van) and the kids these two seats are designed for will have no trouble climbing in. The seats are well shaped and padded with a slight back recline. Knee, shoulder and head room are excellent, but if your son or daughter has big clodhoppers they’ll be battling for space with the second-row seats’ electrics and rails. Both third-row passengers get a cupholder, an air conditioning vent and a USB-C charging port. The third row also has two top-tether points for child restraints but no Isofix attachments; the second row offers both.
On to the boot and, while it’s not as enormous as that offered in the CX-70, it’s right up there. With the third row folded down it measures a very healthy 1170mm from seat back to boot lip and there’s still a handy 470mm when all six seats are in use. Quoted cargo volumes are 566 litres and 258 litres respectively, even bigger than the 552 and 241 offered in the Toyota Kluger. The CX-80’s third-row drink holders cut down width somewhat, but the cargo space remains more than a metre wide at the narrowest point.
Like the CX-70 it also has 220-volt and 12-volt sockets, but it doesn’t have the electric seat-dropper buttons, and there’s only an inflator kit rather than a space saver spare. On the plus side, there’s a dedicated recess under the boot floor for cargo blind storage.
What equipment does the 2026 Mazda CX-80 come with?
There’s no doubting the Mazda CX-80 Pure is the affordable model, as it’s the only one in the extensive CX-80 range with cloth seats. It’s not poorly kitted out, though, with 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and start, a leather steering wheel, satellite navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, automatic LED headlamps, a 10.25-inch infotainment screen and seven-inch driver display, 360-degree view monitor, and an eight-speaker audio system.
Move up to Touring grade and you get leather seats with heating and power adjustment for driver and passenger, a wireless phone charger, second row sunshades, and a remotely operated power tailgate. It’s also available with a diesel or PHEV powertrain.
Fork out for the GT and you can expect 12.3-inch infotainment and driver information screens, 20-inch black alloy wheels, adaptive headlamps, body-coloured wheel arches and cladding, gloss black side mirrors and honeycomb grille, electric steering wheel adjustment, hands-free powered tailgate, seat heaters for the second row, a heated steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, and a premium 12-speaker Bose audio system.
Elect for the full-fruit Azami and you’ll receive grey 20-inch machined alloy wheels, black Nappa leather seat trim, a frameless rearview mirror, ventilated front seats, a ‘see-through view’ on the surround view monitor, and a few other cosmetic and technological niceties.
Shell out for the optional $5000 SP package (fitted to our test vehicle) and you’ll get black 20-inch machined alloy wheels, tan Nappa leather seat trim, a suede-finish dashboard panel, two-tone steering wheel, second-row captain’s seats with ventilation and a second-row centre console with storage.
How safe is the 2026 Mazda CX-80?
The CX-80 earned a five-star ANCAP crash test rating in October 2024. Safety equipment is extensive, even on the Pure, with 10 airbags, anti-lock brakes and emergency braking assistance, blind spot monitoring with vehicle exit warning, emergency lane keeping, driver monitoring and attention alert, forward obstruction warning, front and rear cross traffic alert, traffic sign recognition and more.
What powers the 2026 Mazda CX-80?
One of three powertrains – 3.3-litre turbo petrol inline six-cylinder mild hybrid (209kW/450Nm), a 3.3-litre turbo diesel inline six-cylinder mild hybrid (187kW/550Nm), or a 2.5-litre plug-in hybrid petrol four-cylinder (241kW/500Nm).
All are connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission and have all-wheel-drive capability, including an off-road setting and hill descent control.
Claimed fuel consumption is 5.2L/100km for the diesel engine and 8.4L/100km for the petrol engine.
The PHEV has a pure electric range of 65km, while the lithium-ion battery has a maximum 7.2kW charging rate, meaning a 90-minute charge time from 20 to 80 per cent (it does not have DC charging capability). Claimed fuel consumption is 2.7L/100km, although without daily charging discipline a four-cylinder petrol engine will be hauling around more than two tonnes, sending fuel usage through the roof.
What is the 2026 Mazda CX-80 like to drive?
In some respects, the 3.3-litre mild hybrid petrol CX-80 (our test vehicle) isn’t so different to its diesel sibling, which we discussed in our Mazda CX-70 review. It offers the same muscular and silken acceleration and the straight six engine has a similarly pleasing rumble under throttle. It also revs out more, allowing it to pull long after the diesel has left its power/torque sweet spot, although things become less silken and sonorous under serious throttle.
The main difference, however, is the petrol engine doesn’t co-operate with the eight-speed transmission as well as the diesel. It races through the lower gears when the engine still has plenty to give and the overall effect is that it feels jerkier and less composed than the diesel. (Sport mode alleviates this issue somewhat.) On one occasion the i-stop fuel saving system – which shuts off the engine during coasting – was caught by surprise and the powertrain made a clunk as it resumed operation.
These are gentle criticisms, though. For the most part, Mazda’s big six is a beauty, the sort of engine that makes driving a pleasure. But you do pay for this pleasure at the pump. Even with mild-hybrid assistance and the i-stop system, we saw more than 12L/100km from 220km of suburban driving – a far cry from the phenomenal 4.0L/100km we got from the diesel in similar circumstances.
Ride quality is on the firmer side for a large SUV while remaining compliant and well damped. The CX-80’s lowish stance and nicely sorted chassis mean it corners as well as a 2000kg+ vehicle could hope to, while all-wheel drive provides additional confidence in corners and on wet roads. There’s some body movement but not much considering the vehicle’s size.
As noted in our CX-70 review, that size is an issue in urban areas. It’s especially tricky when reversing into a tight spot, as it’s almost impossible to judge where the car’s rear corners are. The ‘see-through’ parking camera on our Azami SP test vehicle does help somewhat, although the squashed image (the infotainment screen is wide but not very tall) and predictive guidelines remain untrustworthy.
A special mention is due to the exquisite 12-speaker Bose sound system, which delivers the perfect audio mix whether you’re listening to Katseye or Slipknot.
Open Road’s take on the 2026 Mazda CX-80
The Mazda CX-80 is comfortable, spacious family transport and, in the case of the Azami SP, lavished with luxury. While similar products from prestige brands might edge it out on badge cred and high-tech gizmos, the enormous savings – even if you plump for the top-of-the-line models – make the CX-80 the head-over-heart choice any day of the week, at least when comparing with luxury alternatives.
It’s slightly less compelling at the cheaper end, especially when so many newcomers are bristling with tech, but it remains a quality large SUV and the CX-80 deserves a spot on your test drive shopping list.
What we liked
- Loads of space and comfortable seating
- Easy access to the third row
- Rich black and tan interior with SP package
What could be better?
- Petrol engine’s prodigious thirst during suburban driving
- Size and shape make parking difficult in tight situations
- $5000 SP package with captain’s chairs only available for Azami
