Test-Driving The 2025 Mazda CX-80: Is It Dog Friendly?

Forbes

04-06-2025

Mazda CX-80 and dogs
The Mazda CX-80 is the brand's largest model in the UK, and buyers can choose from a PHEV or a 3.3-litre diesel, like the one tested here. However, before we proceed, note that this review is aimed at dog owners. If you seek an in-depth Mazda CX-80 review, check out this link.
Up first is two-year-old 27kg Shepkita, Chloe. My wife and I rescued this precious soul when she was just eight months old. She came from a bad background and fears sudden movements, loud noises and vans.
She's incredibly cheeky, alarmingly chomps through snacks and enjoys the odd TV remote. Similarly, she adores other dogs and is slowly learning that not everyone is bad.
Dog two is two-year-old 20kg Siberian Husky, Freya. Like her sister, Freya was adopted from a shelter. We don't know much about her past, but like most huskies, she enjoys arguing.
Chloe and Freya
She's deeply affectionate towards humans and screams when she spots other dogs. She's also a sucker for carrots, loves being carried around and enjoys intensely staring at people with her blue eyes.
Both dogs enjoy walkies and cuddles, but did they like the Mazda CX-80?
Popping the electronic boot lid reveals a large load area complete with cupholders, air conditioning vents, and USB-C ports, although your doggo probably won't use the latter, but please send me a video if they do.
Pulling each tab on both seat backs folds the third row flat; you'd struggle to fit a Chihuahua in the boot with these in place, but with them folded, boot space rises from 258 litres to 566 litres. Sliding the second-row forward, and this grows to 687 litres.
Mazda CX-80 rear vent
We humans need a break from being dog staff, but my wife and I can't go on holiday without knowing our girls are being properly cared for, and this meant visiting a local kennel to induct both dogs for a test day.
Luckily, both fitted comfortably in the Mazda's boot with room to spare, but remember this is a seven-seat family hauler, and if you own horse-sized dogs, you're better off with a Land Rover Discovery.
Mazda CX-80 boot with dog
Land Rover also offers a ramp accessory to assist dogs in getting in and out of the boot, something Mazda doesn't provide, but we had no issues getting our dogs over the CX-80's short bumper and onto its flat boot floor.
Our biggest issue was the sensor under the rear bumper, which operates the electronic boot lid. When attempting to load or unload our doggos, the lid would often automatically close because we'd accidentally triggered the zealous sensor, resulting in us shouting for help in the middle of a busy town while being slowly engulfed by the Mazda.
Second-row riders should be more than comfortable. Our Husky, Freya, enjoys riding in the back seat, meaning our Shepkita, Chloe, could sprawl across the Mazda's vast boot floor. The seats were comfortable, and both dogs could be secured via the CX-80's boot harness points or second-row Isofix points.
Mazda CX-80 rear seats
In some cars, Freya has accidentally turned on the rear heated seats via her paw or nose. We've also found her gasping for air because she's nudged the temperature button, resulting in Sahara winds. However, disabling the rear climate control panel in the Mazda is easily achieved via a button up front.
The Kia Sorento and Skoda Kodiaq has over 800 litres of boot storage, but only the Sorento comes with a third-row cooling vent.
Medium to large dogs shouldn't have access issues thanks to the Mazda CX-80's high boot floor, low bumper and large boot lid.
Likewise, the rear doors open at 90 degrees, meaning dogs who enjoy being in the second row shouldn't have any access woes. And, if your dogs are overzealous with climbing in and out, you can buy Mazda's optional trunk liner or boot mat with rear bumper protection.
The CX-80 is one of the best dog-friendly cars I've tested, and despite our loaner being a diesel, the cabin remained quiet during modest acceleration (I recorded 66dB at 70mph).
The Mazda CX-80 is priced from £49,780 ($67,314).