Mazda finally has a seven-seat SUV to take on the likes of the Kia Sorento and Land Rover Discovery Sport.
The new CX-80 has the makings of a very capable tow car. Buyers have the choice of plug-in hybrid and diesel power. Both share the same 2500kg towing capacity, but it’s the diesel that ought to be better suited to towing.
Although the plug-in hybrid is the quicker of the two on paper, the mid-range pull of the diesel (406lb ft) should easily cope with a sensible car/caravan match. The hybrid can be more hesitant, and there’s sometimes a jerk when the car switches from electric to petrol-electric running.
Under the skin, the CX-80 is closely related to the Mazda CX-60, but the manufacturer has made some changes to improve ride comfort (changes that are shared with the 2025 version of the smaller model). These succeed to an extent, although the ride is still quite firm.
The benefit is felt on a twisting road, where the CX-80 handles keenly. That bodes well for stability while towing. Inside, there’s a sporty look to the dash and plenty of space in the front and the middle. I look forward to towing with a CX-80 soon.
You can also see what I made of the new Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDi ‘3’ when I put it to the test recently – I thought the seven-seater SUV offered luxury towing at a competitive price.
Technical spec of the Mazda CX-80
- Price: £52,205
- Kerbweight: 2136kg*
- 85% match: 1816kg
- Max towing weight: 2500kg
*Including 75kg for driver not included in Mazda’s published kerbweight
If you’re on the hunt for a new tow car but are unsure what type to opt for, take a look at what I have to say about the hybrid vs plug-in hybrid debate, as I consider which type is better for towing.
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