If you want a family grand voyager, the new Mazda CX-80 is one fine machine.
This is a new seven-seater SUV that doesn’t believe in chest-thumping machismo or aggressive chrome grilles.
Technically, it’s a stretched-out CX-60, with the wheelbase extended by 250mm to make room for a third row of seats. But, Mazda’s ambitions for this car go beyond adding more bum space.
Does it look the part?
Oh, it certainly does. The CX-80 carries itself with quiet dignity; not too flashy, not too frumpy. Mazda’s designers have refined that Kodo design language into something almost Scandinavian in its restraint.
No oversized nostrils or fussy lines here, just clean, confident sheet metal that gently hints at something a little more premium.
In Singapore, the CX-80 is the brand’s new flagship SUV, and Mazda wants this to be a contender against posh fare like the Volvo XC90, Audi Q7 and Land Rover Discovery.
Realistically, it’ll draw curious glances from families eyeing up a Hyundai Santa Fe or a Skoda Kodiaq, but that doesn’t make it any less premium.
Cabin class
Step inside, and the CX-80 makes a strong case for itself. Upper trims get leather, maple wood, and a smattering of chrome. The seats are comfortable, the ventilated ones in particular providing a breeze strong enough to ruffle your shirt.
And yes, the dashboard has physical buttons, an increasingly rare and welcome sight in a world of endless touchscreen menus.
However, while the top half of the cabin is plush, the bottom half starts to whisper reminders of its real-world pricing. Harder plastics linger where your knees meet the door.
The CX-80 offers a plush 2-3-2 seating layout. The middle bench seats slide and fold too, giving you flexibility to play Tetris with passengers and cargo alike. Children in the rearmost seats will be perfectly happy; Mazda says anyone under 1.7m will fit comfortably.
With all three rows in use, you’re left with 258 litres of boot space, enough for a few shopping bags or a compact stroller. Fold the third row and you get 566 litres, expanding to a cavernous 1,971 litres if you flatten everything behind the front seats.
Grace over grit
Given its size, you might expect the CX-80 to feel like piloting a school bus, and yet it doesn’t. The ride is firm, but it never crosses the line into harshness.
The steering is light, if not brimming with feel, and the updated chassis (compared to the CX-60) delivers smoother responses. It doesn’t flinch on winding roads, nor does it wallow about like a tipsy uncle at a wedding.
Singapore only gets the plug-in hybrid, and it claims a brisk century sprint time of 6.8 seconds. The 2.5-litre engine does provide enough huff, but prod the throttle in quick succession and the drivetrain occasionally panics, sending up a flare of engine noise without much forward motion.
The 8-speed gearbox is great when the engine is working, but gets flustered when juggling between electric and petrol duties, occasionally resulting in jerks while you’re applying the power down.
It would be better if Mazda offered a drivetrain option that keeps the CX-80 in pure petrol mode, giving the car a chance to regain more energy before dispensing it again in a clean burst.
Thoughtful with grace
At first glance, the CX-80 might not wow you with headline-grabbing gimmicks. But spend a bit of time with it, and it wins you over through sheer competence. It’s a rare thing; a genuinely thoughtful seven-seater that doesn’t try too hard to be something it’s not.
No, it’s not as soft as a Santa Fe. It’s not as luxurious as a Range Rover. And it’s not quite as badge-conscious as an Audi. But it balances comfort, flexibility, and driving satisfaction in a way that feels unmistakably Mazda.
If you’re a family buyer who’s allergic to cliché and appreciates a car that’s been designed with both head and heart, the CX-80 is worth a look. A true quiet achiever.
Technical Specifications
Mazda CX-80
Engine: 2.5-Litre e-SKYACTIV G Plug-In Hybrid
Drivetrain: All-Wheel Drive
Power: 323 bhp
Torque: 500 Nm
Gearbox: 8-speed (A)
0-100km/h: 6.8 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 195km/h
Battery Capacity: 17.8 kWh
Battery Efficiency: 22.5 kWh/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity: 70 Litres
Fuel Economy: 62.5 km/litre (claimed)
Price: S$344,888 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)
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