Driving the relatively new Mazda CX-80 all-wheel drive SUV, the seven-seat
version of Mazda’s five-seat CX-60, I’m driving the entry CX-80 Pure, the most
affordable of the 10-model range at $54,950 plus on-road costs – the Pure has one
engine choice a 3.3-litre turbo petrol six-cylinder with 48-volt mild hybrid
assistance linked to an 8-speed automatic. The CX-80 replaces the long standing
CX-8 and CX-9 models. Certainly, its seven-passenger versatility is excellent, a
great family vehicle, nicely specified, spacious in the second row with five adults,
the turbo-petrol engine impressive with strong mid-range performance, but as a
rather heavy all-wheel drive a little thirsty on a strong throttle, I managed 11.8
L/100km, and thankfully it runs on 91 grade petrol. Suspension tune streets ahead
of the CX-60 I drove early last year which, after much criticism, Mazda Australia
did a re-work on later and the ride quality and handling on this new CX-80 is
vastly better. Gear shift quality on the early CX-60 has also been addressed and
obviously has carried over to the CX-80. A few gripes, Mazda prices have crept
up, while all models only get a tyre repair kit in lieu of a spare wheel. Warranty;
five-years/unlimited km. I’m David Berthon

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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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The NSW Government will shortly consider a report from a parliamentary
inquiry into e-scooters including a recommendation to legalise both private
and shared hire e-scooters and allowing them to be used on footpaths. At
present, children under the age of 16 are prohibited from riding e-scooters
on the footpath. The head of trauma at the Westmead Children’s Hospital
Dr Soundappen said this week he was shocked at the number of children
being admitted for injuries from e-scooters and e-bikes, up 400 percent in
just 12 months. Dr Soundappen said most of the injuries came from e-
scooters and nearly two thirds of the children were not wearing a helmet.
There is now considerable concern in the community, especially from the
elderly, at the prospect of being hit by an e-scooter and I hope the
Government gives it plenty of thought when the parliamentary inquiry is
handed down in May. I’m David Berthon

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