the first meeting with the extended 7-seat version of the CX-60

In the automotive industry, Mazda is often considered the original of the group, which likes to offer innovative technical solutions such as rotary engines. In 2022, the brand surprised again by launching the CX-60, a family SUV with an engine that is new to the market: a six-cylinder diesel with a large displacement. The 4.75 meter SUV competes with the BMW X3, Audi Q5 and Mercedes GLC, and has only five seats. In order to reach more customers and respond to the Germans, Mazda is going even further today presenting an extended version of the model, called the CX-80.

The brand is not its first attempt in this segment, as it already offers two versions of the same SUV in the United States, and the CX-70 and CX-90 are slightly different and put more to compete with the domestic market. This time, the CX-80 is aimed at Europe, and was designed between Japan and the brand’s European headquarters in Oberursel, Germany. This is where we discover him in the studio.

25 cm more for passengers

Not surprisingly, the CX-80 largely adopts the CX-60’s features and philosophy. A long hood, a close-to-station wagon look, an imposing grille and headlights, lots of chrome… So the front is very similar, but it’s when you move to the back that you see the difference. From the central pillar, the SUV extends visually, and a long door enables access to the rear seats. Mazda announces that it has added 25 cm to the size of the CX-60, especially in terms of wheelbase which therefore reaches 3.12 m! The CX-80 is 5 meters long, 1.89 m wide and 1.71 m tall. Thanks to this design trick, the CX-80 avoids the “bag” effect of some seven-seat competitors resulting from a small car.

To comfortably carry passengers in the third row, Mazda has also revised the rear design with a more vertical door, and a rear window that is less inclined than the CX-60. The older brother, however, keeps the classic (and almost Latin) lines of the brand, with the famous “Kodo Design” launched 14 years ago.

Similar dashboard

On board, there are no surprises either. We get the CX-60 layout, with a modest dashboard and polished materials. In our example available with the top Takumi finish, there are for example inserts in real maple wood on the center console and door panels, as well as fabric with ancestral stitching on the dashboard and white Nappa leather on the seats. The console includes the same lever for automatic transmission, a few shortcuts, a small closed storage area and the wheel of the multimedia system, only touch when stationary or when Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are working. The panel measures 12.3 inches and is placed high up but away from the passenger. The 12.3-inch digital gauges are supported by a head-up display directly on the windshield.

6 or 7 seats, your choice

The passenger compartment, however, is different in the second row, with three possible configurations. The 7-seat version is offered with a 2nd-row rear seat and two 3rd-row seats, while two rare 6-seat variants are also available. In the 2+2+2 configuration, they are distinguished by the presence or not of a central console placed between the two seats in the second row. The bench in the second row slides by 12 cm to adjust the position. In the third row, the two seats are real armchairs and not uncomfortable folding chairs that have been hastily installed. Not very strong, they accommodate people under 1m70 without problems, according to Mazda’s specifications. Above this size, however, it will be less comfortable. Even if additional space is provided for rear passengers, the trunk is not left with a volume of 687 liters in a 5-seat configuration, or 258 in a 7-seat configuration with storage under the floor. The luggage compartment goes up to 1,971 liters when the rear seats are folded.

Price and penalty

By choosing this diesel engine, which is not very common, but was adopted by such a car, Mazda cannot avoid punishment in France. Its small 48V hybrid saves it a few grams with a final approval of 151 g of CO2, i.e. a penalty of € 2,370 in 2024. This is still good for that engine, but we must not forget the weight penalty ! And with more than two tons on the scale, the SUV will not make the cut … Unless you have a large family (200 kg reduction per child for families with at least three dependent children) or are beneficiaries of a disability card. .

The CX-80 will go on sale in late 2024 in most European markets including France. Currently, Mazda is not releasing exact prices for its new model. But according to our information collected on the site, the 7-seater SUV will be sold by us from around € 63,000, an increase of € 4,000 compared to the younger brother CX-60. The CX-80 won’t have quite the same lineup, with the Homura Plus and Takumi Plus complete with upgraded equipment.

Photo : DR.

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Summing up

After the five-seater CX-60, Mazda unveils the CX-80, a version extended by 25 cm to accommodate six or seven passengers. The SUV keeps the same philosophy and the same engines, including a surprising six-cylinder diesel that goes against the current production cars.

Editor