Mazda CX-80 2024: leaked images preview new three-row SUV

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Leaked images from a patent application by Mazda in Japan have revealed the design of its upcoming three-row large SUV, the CX-80 – the fourth confirmed model to sit on the brand’s new Large Product architecture. 

Not yet officially revealed, the images made available on the Japanese website J-PlatPat showcase a design that is unsurprisingly in line with the rest of Mazda’s new rear-biased SUV range ahead of its expected debut in the coming months.

Resemblance with the two-row CX-60 midsize SUV is clear, with the CX-80 essentially a longer sibling to its fellow midsize SUV – the same type of relationship the midsize CX-5 had with the now discontinued three-row CX-8, which the CX-80 will replace. 

The first half of the two vehicles look virtually identical until the rear doors, which are longer than those of its two-row counterpart, and which then flow into a rear-end design that looks more similar to the larger CX-70 and CX-90.

Unlike the CX-60, which has an upward swooping rear window at the D-pillar, the CX-80’s has a larger glasshouse that doesn’t swoop up. The rear end also seems to feature slightly thinner rear lights as compared to the CX-60, similar to the aforementioned larger SUVs, as well as a slightly differentiated rear bumper.

Nevertheless, it is an unmistakable part of Mazda’s top-of-the-range new SUV family.

The CX-60 and CX-80 siblings are described as ‘narrow-body’ models, designed with an intention for European and Japanese markets, while the ‘wide-body’ CX-70 and CX-90 – which also share the same type of relationship as its narrower cousins – are designed with the US-market in mind.

Uniquely, Australia is the only market in the world where all four products on Mazda’s new large architecture will be available for sale in a heavily expanded SUV lineup that already includes the CX-3, CX-30, CX-5.

Like the CX-8, the large CX-9 SUV was also discontinued last year, as well as the petrol and electric variants of the MX-30 small SUV. 

Like the other Large Product SUVs, power and drivetrain options are expected to be the same for the CX-80 – a 3.3-litre straight six petrol, a 3.3-litre straight-six turbo-diesel and a naturally-aspirated four-cylinder PHEV powertrain.

Pricing will be revealed closer to vehicle launch however we can expect the CX-80 to receive a higher starting price than the base CX-60 which comes in at $60,500, but less than the entry-grade CX-90 which starts at $74,550.

While drawing much attention for its premium push with its new higher-priced SUVs, the CX-60 and CX-90 have drawn some criticism in Australia for their local suspension tune – with Mazda recently discussing their strategy of “continuous improvement” with Chasing Cars in response to questions on the topic. 

It’s not yet known if the CX-80 will adopt any tweaks to its suspension tune as a result of the feedback.

In 2023 Mazda sold 2779 CX-60s and 603 CX-90s, compared to 23,083 CX-5s – though as a more ‘premium’ product, the new vehicles will be expected to draw lower volumes than vehicles like the CX-5. Their real test will also come this year as the newcomers enter their first full year on sale.

As a brand, Mazda recorded four percent more deliveries YOY in aggregate in 2023 with its expanded portfolio.