Mazda CX-80 3.3D Review: A Six-Cylinder Diesel SUV That Defies the Electric Trend

LAUNCHING a seven-seater SUV powered by a straight-six diesel engine feels about as on-trend as bringing back the MiniDisc. Yet that’s exactly what Mazda has done – first in the CX-60 and now with the larger CX-80.

While rivals chase electrification headlines and complex plug-in promises, Mazda has doubled down on honest engineering: a big, efficient diesel engine, a roomy cabin, AWD and the kind of refinement that makes long drives feel like a perk rather than a punishment. The CX-80 3.3-litre diesel doesn’t just buck the trend – it engineers the hell out of it

What is it?

The CX-80 arrives as Mazda’s flagship family SUV for Europe, effectively stretching the CX-60 formula into full-size territory. Sitting on the brand’s Large Architecture platform, it’s available as a 2.5 petrol plug-in hybrid, or this rather delicious 3.3-litre six-cylinder diesel mild-hybrid. All models come with i-Activ All Wheel Drive and an 8-speed automaitc transmission.

Prices start from just over £50,000, with the range-topping Takumi Plus coming in at £56,830. The Takumi trim, tested here, starts from £54,180.

In a segment dominated by German badges and electrified powertrains, the CX-80 diesel makes a compelling case for those who want practicality and efficiency without the hassle of charging schedules. It’s big, bold, and just a little bit contrarian.

Kerb Appeal?

From the outside, the CX-80 is unmistakably Mazda — all taut surfaces, long bonnet, and that crisp “Kodo” design language that manages to look sharp without being overwrought. It stretches nearly five metres nose to tail, but clever proportions keep it from appearing ungainly from most angles, although from the rear, I think it looked a little ‘weighty’.

It doesn’t try to be flashy. Park it next to a BMW X5 or Volvo XC90 and you’ll notice the Mazda’s restraint — it’s handsome in a confident, under-the-radar sort of way. The payoff is that it should age well. And while it might not win any street-style awards, it looks every inch the capable family machine it’s meant to be.

What’s the Inside Story?

Step inside and Mazda’s quiet pursuit of premium quality really shows. The Takumi cabin combines Nappa leather with finely stitched detailing, open-pore wood trim, and a minimal layout that feels more Scandinavian than Japanese. The 12.3-inch central display is neatly integrated rather than slapped on like an afterthought, and it works in tandem with a digital driver’s cluster that’s crisp and legible.

Okay, the icons in the screen are beginning to look a little dated but there is much worse around for similar money and anyway, you have the saviour of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to play with.

I’m a big fan of the BMW-like rotary dial to control the infotainment. It’s intuitive, quick to get used to and, most importantly, is much less distracting than poking a finger at the screen while doing 70mph on the motorway.

There are actual buttons and switches for the climate control, heated seats and steering wheel which makes the cockpit of the Mazda CX-80 pretty much perfect and so easy to live with. Other manufacturers who insist on having everything within the infotainment screen, please take note. This is how it SHOULD be done.

Space is the big story here. The CX-80 is a true seven-seater, with a sliding second row that makes accessing the third row surprisingly painless. Adults can survive back there, at least for shorter trips, and children will be perfectly happy.

With all three rows in use, the boot holds a modest 258 litres, but fold the third row flat and capacity swells to nearly 2,000 litres — van-like volume for flat-pack furniture or family holidays.

The seats are designed for long-haul journeys, supportive without being overly firm, and there’s enough sound insulation to make motorway cruising a serene affair.

On the Road

Mazda’s decision to put a six-cylinder diesel under the bonnet pays off the second you prod the accelerator. With 254PS and a healthy slug of torque, the CX-80 surges forward with confidence, dispatching 0–62mph in 8.4 seconds. It’s not about raw speed (though it’s plenty brisk for a seven-seater SUV) but about effortless progress. The mild-hybrid system smooths out stop-start driving and helps eke out an official 48.7mpg combined, which is genuinely impressive for something of this size.

Steering is a highlight. For such a big SUV, the wheel provides decent feedback, particularly around town, where the CX-80 feels nimbler than you’d expect.

The suspension has been tuned for Europe, which means it’s supple enough over bumps yet stable and composed when you’re pressing on. The car feels born for motorway cruising, covering miles with the sort of calm refinement usually reserved for much pricier Germans.

Refinement levels are excellent, with the straight-six humming away quietly in the background rather than growling for attention –unless you really push it . . .

The 8-speed auto gearbox does a good job of matching speed to cogs, while the AWD system offers extra security – especially in less-than-perfect conditions. It all feels very civilised and secure from the driver’s seat, which also offers very good visibility all around from it’s high(ish) perch.

Tech and Toys

Mazda has packed the CX-80 with all the expected modern conveniences without turning it into a distracting tech-fest. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and the infotainment system itself is responsive and easy to navigate. In Takumi trim, you also get a 12-speaker Bose system, which is crisp and powerful enough to impress any audiophile.

Driver assistance systems are generous: adaptive cruise, lane-keeping assist and blind-spot monitoring. A 360-degree camera makes manoeuvring this five-metre SUV less daunting, while the usual suite of collision-avoidance and braking assists are all present and correct.

Mazda’s approach here is subtle. Rather than bombard you with constant beeps and nudges, the systems work quietly in the background, stepping in only when needed. It’s the kind of integration that makes long journeys less stressful, not more. You’ll even find a one-button solution to switch off the most intrusive bings and bongs.

Ownership & Warranty

Mazda matches rivals with a three-year/60,000-mile warranty as standard, though extended cover is available. Servicing intervals are every 12,500 miles or annually, and Mazda’s UK dealer network is widespread enough to make ownership straightforward. Running costs should be refreshingly reasonable thanks to that near-50mpg efficiency, and the mild-hybrid system means no additional faff compared with a traditional diesel.

For buyers wary of committing to an EV lifestyle just yet, the CX-80 offers peace of mind: no range anxiety, no charging infrastructure worries, just the reassurance of a tried-and-tested engine technology given a modern efficiency boost.

Rivals

The obvious competitors are the Volvo XC90, BMW X5, and the quirky Hyundai Santa Fe, which also offers seating for seven. The Volvo majors on Scandi-chic design and plug-in hybrid tech, but it can’t match the Mazda’s diesel efficiency. The BMW is sharper to drive but significantly more expensive in equivalent trim, while the Hyundai offers heaps of space and tech but comes with an interior that’s not quite up to the Mazda’s quality and the driving experience is way-off the Mazda.

There’s also Kia’s EV9 to consider, if you’re set on going electric. It’s vast and tech-laden, but at a higher cost and with all the usual caveats about charging logistics on long European holidays. Against this backdrop, the Mazda’s contrarian approach makes a lot of sense.

Conclusion

The Mazda CX-80 Takumi 3.3 is a refreshing reminder that not everyone is ready to give up on diesel just yet. It’s big, comfortable, and efficient, with a straight-six engine that makes motorway miles disappear and an interior that punches well above Mazda’s mainstream badge. It’s not the flashiest SUV you can buy, and it won’t win you kudos in the EV car park at Waitrose, but for families who value space, comfort, and real-world usability, it’s a compelling package.