With the launch of the third in Mazda New Zealand’s “large product” (let’s call it LP) series of SUVs, the CX-80, the whole plan makes a lot more sense.
Mazda NZ launched CX-60 and CX-90 over a year ago: the first SUVs on the new LP scalable platform, which is configured for north-south engines with electrification, and a rear-drive bias.
At the time, it was natural for many to compare the medium-sized CX-60 with the familiar CX-5, and the CX-90 7-seater with the CX-9/CX-8; but both of the new models were a massive step up in price ($10-20k). It was tempting to see Mazda NZ as over-reaching and potentially ignoring its core customers.
In fact, the CX-60 was never a replacement for the CX-5, which continues in production and shows no signs of moving on; it remains Mazda NZ’s best-seller, accounting for over 40% of registrations. It received some minor updates earlier this year, including a new-gen infotainment system.
Nor was the luxurious (and enormous) CX-90 ever intended to be a replacement for the CX-9, which continued in the lineup until just recently; in reality, the 90 is a new flagship that sits above any other Mazda of recent times.
The direct successor to the old CX-9 is in fact the new CX-80 7-seater, which even picks up where the CX-9 left on on pricing: the start point of $74,990 for the CX-80 SP is just a few hundred dollars away from the previous CX-9 Takami. Granted, the CX-9 Takami boasted a higher interior specification than the new CX-80 SP; but the 80 is still generously equipped and brings Mazda’s smooth, growly-when-you-want-it-be mild-hybrid 3.3-litre straight six, which is a world away from the 9’s turbo-four and even more economical. You could argue it’s a pretty fair swap.
The six is exactly the same powertrain you get in the CX-60. Same goes for the 2.5-litre plug-in hybrid (PHEV) in the $80,990 CX-80 SP PHEV and $89,490 CX-80 Homura PHEV, albeit with 2km less EV range (59km); opportunity cost for the extra weight.
You get the choice of either powertrain in the SP, but the flagship Homura is PHEV-only.
The PHEV is the more powerful (by 32kW/50Nm) and offers zero-emissions commuting, but as with the CX-60, the straight-six is likely to be the driver’s favourite.
Mazda NZ would like you to think of its LP range as one carline that simply gives you a lot of choice. All three are very similar structurally and styling-wise from the windscreen forward.
The 60 and 80 are the same width and have the same rear overhang. However, it’s not simply a case of a stretch in the middle, because the styling is a bit different: the 80 has a straighter side-windowline, whereas the 60 has the characteristic Mazda upward-kick.
The LP Venn diagram then crosses over between 80 and 90 in terms of wheelbase: both 3120mm. But the 90 is 104mm wider, with a longer rear overhang. Overall height steps up slightly as you go from 60 to 80 to 90.
Mazda NZ is firm on the SP being an entry point, but not an “entry-level” model; it’s still well-kitted up and looks the part with blacked-out trim and gloss-black 20-inch alloys.
The step up from SP to Homura ($8500 between PHEV models) brings adaptive LED lights, “cruising and traffic support” for the adaptive cruise control system, hands-free tailgate, the Personalisation System for the driving position, heated steering wheel with memory, heated outer second-row seats, Bose 12-speaker audio, a 1500W AC outlet in the boot and an extra trailer-hitch menu for the 360-degree camera. All CX-80s can tow 2.5 tonnes, by the way.
The third-row seating in the 80 is virtually identical to the 90 (Mazda even uses the same floormats), although the 90 offers a bit more shoulder-space thanks to its extra width.
The 80 has the distinctions of offering the most rear luggage space in the LP lineup, thanks mainly to the lack of a spare wheel: with extra underfloor storage it offers 258 litres even in 7-seat configuration (the 90 has 207l). With the 3rd row folded down there’s a 566l cargo area.
Head swimming with LP facts and figures? Us too. Mazda NZ product and communications manager Paul Sherley reckons we can all keep it simple by thinking of the LP SUVs as a “1-2-3” lineup: 1 carline, 2 powertrains and 3 specifications (SP, Homura and Takami).