2025 Mazda CX-80 G40e GT Review

While the naming of Mazda’s new large SUV architecture family can be a little confusing, to keep it simple, you can think of the CX-80 as a seven-seat version of the CX-60.

In spite of its extra row of seats, though, the MY25 CX-80 range hits the road in Australia with a sharply-priced base model that actually undercuts the cheapest CX-60 variant, stacking up as a great, potential value proposition.

While some versions of Mazda’s latest-gen SUV lineup are a harder sell for families, the entry-level CX-80 doesn’t have the same difficulties, but what do you pick up in more premium versions and does that justify the extra money you’ll be handing over?

To find out, we got behind the wheel of the Mazda CX-80 GT with the G40e petrol engine to find out if it’s worth stretching the budget, which engine is best, how family-friendly the cabin really is and if you’re best served by a base version.

Mazda CX-80 Competition

How Much Does the MY25 Mazda CX-80 Cost?

Prices for the MY25 Mazda CX-80 range kick off from $54,950 and stretch out to $87,200 for the range-topping CX-80 P50e Azami with its luxurious interior and fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Our review vehicle here, the CX-80 G40e GT is priced at $68,950.

Prices for the full Mazda CX-80 range can be found below.

• MY25 Mazda CX-80 G40e Pure - $54,950

• MY25 Mazda CX-80 G40e Touring - $61,950

• MY25 Mazda CX-80 D50e Touring - $63,950

• MY25 Mazda CX-80 G40e GT - $68,950 (tested)

• MY25 Mazda CX-80 D50e GT - $70,950

• MY25 Mazda CX-80 G40e Azami - $74,150

• MY25 Mazda CX-80 P50e Touring - $75,000

• MY25 Mazda CX-80 D50e Azami - $76,150

• MY25 Mazda CX-80 P50e GT - $82,000

• MY25 Mazda CX-80 P50e Azami - $87,200

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.

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Mazda CX-80 G40e GT Specifications

What Features & Specs Does the Mazda CX-80 GT Have?

Sitting in the middle of the range, the CX-80 in GT form picks up a number of features to temp buyers. 

The list of CX-80 GT-specific features is headlined by a set of black 20-inch alloys, body-coloured wheel arches, adaptive LED headlights, a panoramic sunroof, a hands-free boot lift, heated front & rear seats, a heated steering wheel and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

GT buyers also pick up features you’ll find in lesser variants, which means there’s a wireless charging pad, leather upholstery with power-adjustable front seats, adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, a surround-view monitor with front & rear parking sensors and dual-zone climate control.

You’ll also receive a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever, wheel-mounted paddle shifters, electronic steering wheel adjustment, USB-C charging ports in all three rows of the cabin and a stack of entertainment & safety equipment.

Mazda CX-80 GT Connectivity & Infotainment Features

Upgrading to the GT version of Mazda’s CX-80 adds a larger, 12.3-inch infotainment system atop the dashboard.

This comes as a notable upgrade over the 10.25-inch infotainment system installed on the CX-80 Evolve and Touring variants and will help to justify the upgrade for any tech-savvy buyers.

Mazda’s 12.3-inch unit is a great display, offering high brightness levels, crisp graphics and decent processing power to fly through menus via the rotary controller.

The display supports touch inputs while you’re using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, though when you’re navigating Mazda’s menus, you’ll need to rely on this rotary dial which we found to be intuitive and easy to navigate with the shortcut buttons.

Mazda packages the 12.3-inch display with AM/FM & DAB+ digital radio thrown in alongside satellite navigation out of the factory.

For the audiophiles out there, the entire CX-80 range comes packaged with a powerful 12-speaker sound system courtesy of BOSE which sounds fantastic and provides a significant upgrade over the eight-speaker sound system bundled with the base model.

The MY25 CX-80 range also picks up Mazda’s Connected Services system which allows you to monitor its location, implement a geo-fence, check its status and diagnostic information as well as make SOS calls in an emergency.

CX-80 buyers receive a three-year subscription to Mazda’s Connected Services suite.

Does the Mazda CX-80 Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

The Mazda CX-80 hits the road with Mazda’s latest infotainment system that offers both wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.

Connecting your phone wirelessly is a particularly easy process thanks to Mazda’s simple menu layout, with no drop-outs in connection to report after a week behind the wheel.

The CX-80’s cockpit also receives USB-C ports to connect your phone to Apple CarPlay and/or Android Auto, while a wireless charging pad sits at the base of the dash.

Is the Mazda CX-80 Comfortable to Drive?

For a family wagon, the CX-80 has a unique and dynamic appeal for driving enthusiasts in need of something big, practical and family friendly.

Namely, the CX-80’s six-cylinder engine lineup provides some seriously impressive acceleration on the road, while the option of a plug-in hybrid flagship appeals to more fuel-conscious buyers.

Our review unit, the CX-80 GT G40e comes powered by a 3.3-litre turbocharged inline-six cylinder engine with a 48V mild-hybrid assist that kicks out 209kW of power and 450Nm of torque.

Power is thrown to all four-wheels via an eight-speed automatic and a rear-biased all-wheel drive system that aims to make family-friendly motoring more appealing to the enthusiast base.

We did notice the occasional bit of hesitation from the eight-speed automatic when you plant your foot, though overall, it’s a slick box.

Acceleration off the line is extremely motivated, with the CX-80 eager to pick up the pace with a meaty soundtrack from its inline-six powertrain.

While the CX-80 comes riding on the smaller of Mazda’s two large SUV platforms, it still has a particularly large footprint.

The wheelbase stretches a massive 3,120mm, significantly longer than the majority of its rivals, which means you need to keep a close eye on its edges when you’re parking or navigating a tight car park.

That said, Mazda has done well to make the steering a lightweight and user-friendly package that is easy to throw around at lower speeds while beefing up and offering some feedback at higher speeds.

The suspension package certainly sits on the sportier side, which means you’ll feel a few more of the smaller bumps and road joints around town than you might expect, though the trade-off here is its dynamism in the corners.

For such a large, family-oriented package, the CX-80 handles better than the vast majority of its rivals, remaining flat and composed in the corners while pivoting through bends with its rear-biased AWD system.

Just how often you’ll want to push the limit with the family in-tow is another question entirely, though it’s nice to know the CX-80 has a charm and appeal for enthusiasts with a family.

While appealing to those buyers, the firm suspension package does limit versatility on rougher country roads, though things are much more refined on a long trip up the highway where the CX-80 excels.

With its quiet, refined cabin and ample power for overtakes, the CX-80 chews up highway kilometres and stands out from the crowded large SUV segment with a unique appeal that celebrates driving.

Is the Mazda CX-80 Fuel Efficient?

Mazda offers the CX-80 range with a choice of three engines, with our review vehicle here coming powered by the base 3.3-litre turbocharged petrol.

While there is a 48-volt mild-hybrid system in place, ultimately, it can’t combat the thirst of the lovely inline-six and its 2,114kg heft.

Mazda’s mild-hybrid tech will cut power from the internal combustion unit when you ease onto the brakes and allows you to coast for longer distances without using fuel, with a stop-start system thrown in to help maximise fuel-efficiency.

On paper, Mazda says the CX-80 with the G40e inline-six petrol will sip 8.4L per 100km.

In our time behind the wheel, we bettered Mazda’s figures, averaging 8.0L/100km over a mix of highway, country and town driving, showing that Mazda’s figures can, in fact, be matched if you’re delicate with the throttle pedal.

The CX-80 G40e has a 74L fuel tank and can be filled with 91 RON unleaded fuel.

While we love the power and charm of Mazda’s inline-six petrol unit, we still think the fuel-efficiency gains on offer in the D50e turbo-diesel make it hard to ignore if you’re a fuel-conscious, family buyer.

For reference, fuel economy figures for the rest of the CX-80 engine lineup can be found below.

• CX-80 G40e Combined Fuel Economy: 8.4L/100km (claimed)

• CX-80 G40e Combined Fuel Economy: 8.0L/100km (tested)

• CX-80 D50e Combined Fuel Economy: 5.2L/100km (claimed)

• CX-80 P50e Combined Fuel Economy: 2.7L/100km (claimed)

Is the Mazda CX-80 Practical and Spacious?

With such a large footprint, the CX-80 offers a spacious cabin with a third-row that is capable of accommodating kids without breaking a sweat.

Climb aboard and you’re presented with a particularly neat and tidy cabin that upholds Mazda’s reputation as one of the leading interior crafters in the business.

It’s not a groundbreaking cabin, though it remains familiar to the Mazda brand and offers no shortage of premium touches, particularly in this GT-grade trim level with its leather upholstery, heated seats and a large 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

All the fundamentals are solid when it comes to cabin ergonomics, with a large, comfortable pair of seats up front with electric adjustment, a fully-adjustable steering wheel and nice, soft finishes for the elbow rests and your left knee.

Headroom is also excellent when you drop the captain’s chair into its lowest position, proving a great option for tall drivers, though the raised dashboard means there’s adequate but not excellent forward visibility.

The dashboard’s clean arrangement also retains a dozen physical buttons for the climate controls and seat heaters, making it easy to make a quick change while driving.

In terms of storage, the CX-80 is packaged with the same, bulky centre console you’ll find in other members of the range which feels a little underutilised when it comes to storage.

Sure, there’s a tray at the base of the dash, a pair of hidden cup holders and added storage inside the split-opening armrest, though for its sheer size, we expected some added capacity inside.

The CX-80’s front cabin also receives a glovebox and bottle holders inside the door, as well as a small drop-down box, about the same width as a credit card, to the right-hand side of the steering wheel.

Move to the second row and there’s no shortage of legroom for adults sitting behind a tall driver, with a healthy amount of headroom on offer, even with the sunroof mechanism in place.

There’s also plenty of width in the rear of the CX-80’s cabin for three-abreast seating, when needed.

Those seated in the second row are treated to solid visibility thanks to the wide window design, as well as two USB-C charging ports, dedicated climate control settings, heated rear seats, map pockets in the seatbacks and a folding armrest with two cupholders.

The CX-80’s second-row bench seat is also able to recline back and forth and sits on a set of rails that allow it to slide all the way forward when entering the third row.

Combine that with its wide-aperture doors and it’s a relatively easy process to slide into the rearmost of the cabin, with just enough legroom for adults to squeeze in if you’re in a pinch but limited headroom for any tall guests.

The third row is a great place for kids, though, and makes the CX-80 a bonafide three-row, seven-seat package rather than a 5+2 arrangement we’ve seen in some rivals, with dedicated air vents, two cupholders and USB-C charging ports on either side of the cabin.

For the parents out there, the CX-80 is packaged with two pairs of ISOFIX anchors on each side of the second row bench seat, with three top tether mounts hiding on the seat back but no additional ISOFIX anchors in the third row.

How Big is the Mazda CX-80’s Boot?

Boot space figures on offer in the Mazda CX-80 are strong, with the large platform asserting itself as a seriously practical package for Aussie families.

With three rows of seats standing in a seven-seat format, the CX-80’s boot measures in at 258L, a figure that includes capacity inside the little under-floor storage bucket.

Fold down the third row into a five-seater format and you’ll unlock 566L of real estate for cargo.

When it’s time to lug around bulky items and sports gear, folding down both rows of the CX-80’s seats means you’ve got 1,971L worth of space for cargo at your disposal.

• CX-80 Boot Space Minimum: 258L

• CX-80 Boot Space Five-Seat Format: 566L

• CX-80 Boot Space Maximum: 1,971L

The CX-80’s boot receives a number of tie-down points, interior lighting, a 150W AC charging port and a 12-volt socket.

All things considered, the CX-80’s boot is more than up for the task of large Australian families, though it’s worth noting that the added under-floor storage has come at the cost of a spare wheel of any type.

Instead, buyers pick up a tyre repair kit instead of a space-saver or full-sized spare tyre.

Is it Safe?

Mazda packages the CX-80 range with a long list of active safety tech, though some bits of kit are reserved for the range-topping Azami grade.

The CX-80 in GT form receives the same list of safety tech you’ll find in the base model, though, which is a particularly nice touch for price-conscious buyers.

The list of CX-80 safety tech is headlined by a forward and reverse autonomous emergency braking system with junction assist and both pedestrian & cyclist detection, as well as blind-spot monitoring, front & rear cross-traffic alerts and adaptive cruise control.

Buyers also pick up lane-keep assistance, driver attention alerts, safe exit warnings, a surround-view monitor with front & rear parking sensors, tyre pressure monitoring, traffic sign detection and curtain airbags inside the cabin.

All up, it’s a generous list of active safety kit, made more appealing by the fact the CX-80 in base form picks up the same, well-equipped safety list.

Mazda reserves a transparent mode for the surround-view monitor and the company’s Cruising & Traffic support for the range-topping Azami, though all the important features are packaged in with the base model.

Mazda’s active safety tech is also well-calibrated and doesn’t constantly pester you with beeps, bongs and lane intervention, though the lane-keep assist system is a little bit too conservative for our liking but can be easily switched-off.

Does the Mazda CX-80 Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

The Mazda CX-80 range comes wearing a five-star ANCAP safety rating after testing in 2024 saw it score the following marks.

• Adult Occupant Protection: 92%

• Child Occupant Protection: 87%

• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 84%

• Safety Assist: 83%

The CX-80’s five-star ANCAP safety rating expires in December, 2030.

What Warranty Does the Mazda CX-80 Come With?

Mazda offers the CX-80 range with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty atop a five-year membership to roadside assist.

The company also offers five-years’ worth of capped-price servicing.

Servicing costs for the CX-80 certainly aren’t the most affordable for the segment, though capped-price servicing does at least lay out these costs for you from the get-go.

• CX-80 G40e Five-Year Servicing Cost: $3,469

• CX-80 D50e Five-Year Servicing Cost: $3,299

• CX-80 P50e Five-Year Servicing Cost: $2,676

Service intervals for the CX-80 range stand at 12-months or 15,000-kilometres, whichever elapses first.

Our Verdict: Is the Mazda CX-80 Worth it?

The CX-80 is such a strong package for families that it really does begin to nip at the heels and even lessen the appeal of Mazda’s flagship CX-90… at a significant discount.

With its particularly sharp pricing for entry-level versions, there’s a lot to like about the CX-80 if you’re looking for a family-friendly SUV package with a powerful inline-six beating heart and no shortage of practical touches.

Mazda’s large SUV architecture may be a little imposing behind the wheel at first, though it’s a smaller overall package than the CX-70 & CX-90 while retaining a great cabin layout for large families and a useable third row of seats.

While we’re fans of the overall CX-80 package, we do think that the G40e petrol engine is a little thirsty and would personally be taking a closer look at the D50e turbo-diesel, which cuts down fuel use by a huge margin.

In terms of the trim level, the added luxuries in GT form make for a lovely, premium package overall, though considering just how much kit and safety equipment is included in the base model, we’d recommend sticking with the Evolve or Touring with the D50e powerplant.

Don’t forget that our team of car-buying experts is waiting on-hand to help find you the best possible price on your next car and help you skip the wait lists.

Five Mazda CX-80 Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty

2. Three engines available, including plug-in hybrid range-topper

3. 2.7 - 5.2 - 8.4L/100km fuel economy figures (PHEV vs Diesel vs Petrol)

4. 258 - 566 - 1,971L boot space

5. Five-star ANCAP safety rating (tested 2024)