Mazda CX-80: More confusion?

What is it?

Mazda’s march upmarket with its reworked range of CX large sports utility vehicles, the new CX-80 only leads to a plethora of choices for potential buyers. But does it all add up?

Mathematically, maybe but matching models with nomenclature could lead to confusion.

In fact, Mazda admits there will be some subtle ‘nudging’ between the CX-60, CX-70, CX-90 and now by the CX-80, but is confident customers will have the nous to deal with the situation.

Aping the three powertrains offered by its smaller CX-60 twin – an inline-six petrol, inline-six diesel, or four-cylinder plug-in hybrid – the CX-80 comes Down Under in four variants, Pure, Touring, GT and Azami, with a three-row seating configuration.

The CX-80 is smaller all round than the two-row CX-70 but is longer than the CX-60 and shorter than the CX-90, riding on the same wheelbase as the CX-70 and CX-90.

Confusing?

What’s it cost?

Pricing makes more sense with the single Pure petrol AWD variant hitting the market at $54,950, plus on road costs, the Touring AWD diesel costs $63,950 and the plug-in hybrid $75,000.

The top-of-the-tree Azami PHEV fetches $87,200. The plug-in hybrid took the test.

An optional $5000 SP package, available on Azami variants, adds 20-inch black alloy wheels, gloss black honeycomb grille and exterior mirror caps, dark signature for LED headlights, plus dark-coloured side signature.

Inside are tan Nappa leather upholstery with quilting, two-tone steering wheel, suede dashboard panel finish, second-row captain’s chairs with fixed centre console (making six-seat capacity) and ventilated second-row seats

Mazda calls its design language ‘graceful toughness’, which appears to have lost something in translation.

Let’s say there’s little complaint with the styling.

Eight paint colours are highlighted by the new Melting Copper Metallic.

CX-80 is a well-proportioned vehicle, with its long bonnet and extended bodywork and glass.

From behind, the L-shaped tail lights are a Mazda signature.

Twin 12.3-inch full colour screens combine to display, in connection with MyMazda app, Mazda Connected Services offering vehicle status and health info, stolen vehicle assistance, remote lock, flashing light function, vehicle locater, curfew notification geofencing and emergency SOS services.

The driver can take Advantage of the TFT LCD multi-information meter display behind the steering wheel, which can be personalised.

I quite appreciate the Mazda hallmark of the rotary info controller on the centre console.

However, Mazdas in my neck of the woods seem to suffer from some sort of dickie reception in which a local radio station drops out, to be replaced by some interstate broadcast.

This happened on numerous occasions with the CX-80 and has with other vehicles of the brand.

Also, performing some of the touchscreen systems, I inadvertently activated the hazard lights with the heel of my hand on the button on the dash below the screen.

Safety technology includes Smart Brake Support when turning across traffic (pedestrian/cyclist detection), reversing and rear crossing.

Also, rear cross traffic alert when moving into intersections and driver monitoring, which detects driver drowsiness, or inattention. This is backed up by 10 airbags.

All vehicles are covered by Mazda’s five-year unlimited kilometre warranty, while the battery is eight years 160,000km.

What’s it go like?

The seven-seat cabin is spacious and luxurious.

Highlights include black Nappa leather seat trim, heated front and second row, and ventilated at the front.

The steering wheel is also heated.

A panoramic sunroof opens up the cabin to a flood of light.

Access into the third row is relatively easy, thanks to large doors, tumble and slide functions for the second-row seats, and a decent aperture.

But Mazda has not flipped the layout of the rear-seat bench, so the larger, heavier portion remains on the kerb (passenger) side.

Boot space is rated at 258 litres behind the third row – enough for a couple of carry-on suitcases.

Folding the third row down with a pair of fabric straps reveals 566 litres, more than enough for big suitcases.

With the second row folded there’s 971 litres freed.

Seating back there, with the second row slid back, is best reserved for small children. Taller teens and adults need not apply.

A power tailgate is standard on all but the Pure, with the GT and Azami adding kick sensors.

The CX-80 PHEV is powered by a 241kW 2.5-litre petrol engine, combined with a 129kW electric motor, mated with a 17.8 kWh lithium-ion battery. Mazda says the electric-only range can go as far as 65km.

The maker claims a combined urban/highway petrol consumption of 2.7L/100km with carbon dioxide emissions of 64g/km.

The test vehicle recorded 5.1L/100km and 18.5 kWh/100km.

Mazda’s eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-biased all-wheel drive system are fitted across the CX-80 range, the former was jerky at times, while a double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension picked up more than a few minor road blemishes.

The all-wheel drive behaved up to expectations, producing neutral cornering as with a rear-wheel drive set-up.

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Mazda Intelligent Drive Select offers a choice of four drive modes – Sport, Normal, Off-Road – plus a full EV system.

Braked towing is rated at 2500kg.

When the battery runs out of charge, at around 28 per cent, the internal combustion engine takes over.

The plug-in system will charge up the battery to 80 per cent from a household three-pin 10A 240V socket at 2.4 kWh in 8.5 hours, according to the maker.

Via an AC Type 2 fast charger port, at a maximum of 7.2 kWh, takes 2.5 hours.