Mazda now has a very comprehensive range of SUV’s – in addition to its best-
selling mid-sized CX-5 it now offers four large SUV’s, the CX-60, CX-70, CX-80 and
CX-90 – and one wonders if the four large SUV’s are overkill, the company first to
admit there is some overlap with buyers – The CX-80 IS basically a three-row
version of the CX-60, available with three engine choices - an in-line six-cylinder
petrol or diesel or a four-cylinder plug in hybrid. There’s four available grades,
Pure, Touring, GT and Azami, the entry Pure only gets the six-cylinder petrol
engine while all models feature all-wheel drive and 8-speed automatic with
manual shift paddles. Importantly, the six-cylinder versions also include a 48-volt
mild hybrid system. I drove the entry Mazda CX-80 Pure starting at $54,950 plus
on-roads which gets 18-inch alloys, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a
head up display, black cloth trim, manual seat adjustment, three-zone climate
control air, a semi-digital instrument cluster, three drive modes and a full suite of
safety equipment. Disappointingly, it lacks a wireless phone charger, a power
tailgate, and a spare wheel – just a tyre repair kit inadequate in my view for a
family carrier with all-wheel-drive. Drive detail next. I’m David Berthon

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