Mazda CX-80 Vs CX-60: Which Should You Choose?

You’d need to be a Mazda guru to spot the differences between the CX-80 and CX-60. Honestly, I tested both recently I struggled to spot contrast, minus the colour.

Likewise, both cars are similarly priced (£46,640, CX-60 and £49,780, CX-80) and have the same engine range. And here lies a dilemma: should you buy the CX-60 or spend a few grand more on Mazda Europe’s flagship CX-80?

The Differences: Mazda CX-80 Vs CX-60

They are almost identical outside, inside and in the powertrain but that’s not because Mazda’s designers are lazy, quite the contrary. They’ve instead designed a car that’s tailored to most lifestyles. I’ll explain.

Forget the model numbers for a second: The CX-80 is basically a seven-seat CX-60; the former is 250mm longer, and 26mm taller, than a CX-60.

So the CX-80 is the largest car Mazda offers, in Europe. American buyers get the girthier (50mm wider) CX-90, which is classed as a ‘mid-sized crossover’; a tiny runabout for pootling around in.

Mazda CX-80 Vs CX-60: Which Should I Choose?

As previously mentioned, this is a lifestyle choice. If you’re sold on a Mazda and have many children or dogs, the seven-seat CX-80 is the best choice as it features third-row USB-C charging ports and ventilation.

On British roads, however, the Mazda CX-80’s 3120mm-long wheelbase proved troublesome at points during my week of testing. It’s longer than a Volvo XC90, a Range Rover LWB, a BMW X7 and a Kia EV9, meaning it feels gargantuan in most car parks.

The CX-60 is easier to live with, is large enough for two or three child families with a medium-sized dog, and isn’t as troublesome to park or manoeuvre as the CX-80.

The 251 bhp 3.3-litre diesel engine offered with both cars is a peach, as is the eight-speed automatic gearbox; in-gear acceleration is impressive in both despite the 100kg difference between the two. However, as expected, the CX-80’s efficiency is worse. I recorded 40-45 mpg with the Mazda CX-80 and 48.7 mpg with the CX-60, both cars had two passengers and covered the same route in similar conditions.

Mazda CX-80 Vs CX-60 Verdict

The CX-60 and CX-80 are both great regarding performance, quality and reliability, but there’s a clear winner—the CX-60. I feel the Mazda CX-80 is a bit too large for UK roads, therefore the Kia Sorento steals the seven-seat SUV baton.

However, the Mazda CX-60 gets my ‘ideal family hauler’ vote as it undercuts premium rivals like the Volvo XC60 and BMW X3.