Latest news with #MazdaCX-80
Straits Times
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Straits Times
2025 ST Car of the Year mid-year scorecard
(Clockwise from top left) The Honda Accord, the Mazda CX-80 and Chinese EVS BYD Sealion 7 and the Hyptec HT. ST PHOTOS: CHONG JUN LIANG, MARK CHEONG, KEVIN LIM SINGAPORE – New cars launched in the 12 months up till November are in contention for the annual Straits Times Car of the Year (Coty) Award. May marks the midway point and it is a good time to take stock. Between December 2024 and May 2025, the Motoring section featured 37 local car reviews, consisting of 24 new models. The rest were facelifts or variants of existing models. So, what have we seen from the class of 2024/2025 so far and what is to come? 1. EVs, especially Chinese ones, dominate There were 19 electric vehicles (EVs) among the cars reviewed, with 14 of them from Chinese carmakers. Then there are EVs like the Tesla Model Y and Mini Aceman, which may not be Chinese brands, but are built in China. Beyond their attractive price tags and generous list of standard luxury features, the Chinese EVs also seem to be really energy-efficient. Many of the EVs tested managed to post better-than-average energy consumption figures than claimed. Among those EVs reviewed are 11 that come from brands which have not been in Singapore for more than a year. Deepal and Jaecoo, for example, were launched as recently as January. And if you cannot tell an Aion from a Skyworth or a Dongfeng, things are about to get even more confusing in the coming months. More brands are going to open shop in Singapore, like Leapmotor, which is a Chinese brand with backing from Stellantis, a global auto group with brands like Alfa Romeo and Peugeot. With more brands and more dealers in the game, i t will be difficult for the premiums for certificates of entitlement (COEs) to come down as everyone jostles for prominence, while the existing ones fight for survival. 2. Plenty of cars with three out of five stars The Volvo XC90 was just one point away from getting a fourth star. PHOTO: VOLVO In the past six months, all but seven cars reviewed scored three out of five stars. Among them was the Volvo XC90 that was just one point away from getting a fourth star. As a rule, cars with two or fewer stars are struck out of Coty contention, but even the three-star cars will go through a round of culling nearer December. While car reviews are quantitative in nature, ST's scoring system helps to focus the reviewer, measuring the car against its class rivals, awarding up to five points in the following areas: performance, handling, ride, build quality, efficiency, styling and X-factor. For practicality and value for money , the maximum score is doubled to 10. This is to help balance the driver-centric nature of the other components. 3. The cautionary tale that is Neta Chinese EV brand Neta's last two units were registered in January. PHOTO: ST FILE Chinese EV brand Neta was launched in Singapore at the end of 2024 . By April, the brand folded after registering just four cars in the few months that it was active. The last two units were registered in January. It was reported that the distributor pulled the plug after the shipment of ordered cars never arrived. The fate of the brand in other countries is also unclear at this point. As for the cars themselves, the V, which is a compact hatchback, felt like it needed more work. It also holds the record of being the only car rated one star since the current scoring system was implemented in 2022. The X, which is a sport utility vehicle (SUV), seemed more competent, but it did not offer compelling enough reasons to be picked over other cars in the segment. The lesson here is to spend some time to research and shop when considering a car purchase, even if you are not 'into' cars. As the industry continues to change, there will be brands that turn out to be the next standard-bearers, like Toyota , but there will be others that may not outlast the 10-year lifespan of a COE. 4. Streamlining of body types Every other new car has been some kind of SUV and it does not matter if they are in the mass market or the more exclusive end of the spectrum. Practically, the SUV form is suited for EVs because the boxier profile and loftier driving position leave space for batteries. SUVs also seem more popular with buyers, selling in bigger numbers than two-door coupes or the traditional three-box, four-door saloon. After the SUV, the multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) is the next most popular type of car. There are new offerings across size segments, from the compact Honda Freed to the gigantic Xpeng X9, which is nearly 5.3m long – bigger than limousines like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. 5. Momentum for the next six months There will be more new brands arriving in the coming months. For sure, some will be electric, Chinese or both. But there are also interesting models that seem to be marching to a different beat, like the Corvette, which will be the first time the American supercar will be officially sold in Singapore. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Forbes
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Test-Driving The 2025 Mazda CX-80: Is It Dog Friendly?
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).
Stuff.tv
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- Stuff.tv
The Mazda CX-80 is one of the most comfortable cars I've ever reviewed
Stuff Verdict If space is a top priority the Mazda CX-80 is one to watch. Comfort levels are glorious, but there are rivals who pip it to the post in the six- and seven-seater stakes Pros Oodles of room front and back Posh equipment levels and very practical too Relative rarity will probably work in its favour Cons PHEV isn't as refined as the diesel Battery-only range is good but not great A hefty thing to manage in small spaces Introduction After a week spent behind the wheel of the teensy-weensy Leapmotor T03 city car, I've just followed it with seven days in this. The Mazda CX-80 sits at the complete opposite end of the space spectrum, with room for up to seven people to enjoy high levels of comfort. It comes as a plug-in too, so could prove a better option for anyone with a growing family and multiple school run stops than the diesel edition. Mazda's flagship SUV is certainly a beefy proposition. The downside is its bulk, which needs to be carefully managed in less spacious surroundings like multi-storey car parks and tight country lanes. The good news is that driving one is much easier than expected, helped along with sumptuous levels of comfort no matter which row you're in. The 2.5-litre, 323bhp, all-wheel-drive CX-80 I've been testing is a top-of-the-range treat in Homura Plus trim, featuring Mazda's Captain Console 6-seat layout. Need more space? Mazda also offers this sizable SUV with a seven-seat layout, which puts it in the same niche bracket as the Hyundai Santa Fe or Mercedes GLB. Those with less to spend will get the same kind of space with either the very good Peugeot 5008 or excellent Skoda Kodiaq though. How we test cars Every electric car reviewed on Stuff is tested on a range of road surfaces and, where possible, in varying weather conditions. We use our years of experience to compare with rivals and assess ergonomics, technology features and general usability. Manufacturers have no visibility on reviews before they appear online, and we never accept payment to feature products. Find out more about how we test and rate products. The styling The Mazda CX-80 is a smidge under 5 metres long, over 1.7 metres high and has a width of nearly two metres. That sounds colossal when you see it written down, although it doesn't feel that bulky to drive. The styling is typically Mazda, with an agreeable front end that looks the part even if it's not especially interesting. The slab-sides and back-end are similarly dependable, with the odd fleck of chrome trim lifting the look slightly. Out back, the neat twists and turns that make up the tailgate section make this angle the most interesting of the CX-80, I think. Thankfully, high profile tyres helped remove a little of the bulky appearance of my test car and made it less worrying to park near rim-crunching kerbs. The Homura Plus trim level of my test car meant it came fully loaded with lots to make longer journeys effortless and super-comfortable. Lashings of Napa leather, a panoramic sunroof and some cool ambient lighting added to the overall premium feel, as did the gloss black 20in rims on the exterior, which contrasted well with the Rhodium White paintwork. There really is stacks of room inside this SUV too, with its height and panoramic roof offering a cavernous experience even if you're sat in the second row. Seven seat versions are slightly less generous, but the Mazda CX-80 is certainly not miserly with the space quotas in either model variant. The drive I wish I felt a little more enthusiastic about choosing the PHEV version of the Mazda CX-80 over the diesel. However, it isn't a huge amount of fun to pilot. Sure, once it gets going, the SUV trundles along very nicely – but attempting any kind of acceleration over and above the norm is met with lots of frantic revving and a slow uptake in speed. On the other hand, driving the CX-80 using its small battery power is very enjoyable, although range is limited to about 30 miles or so in real world scenarios. There's no disputing the commanding position delivered from behind the wheel though. Views towards the front are impressive, helped with big door mirrors but things are less great looking towards the back. The rearward glass is quite enclosed and not helped by the headrests that pepper the interior. As a result, those mirrors and a reversing camera are essential items for backing in to less generous parking spaces. The quality of the ride is compensated for by the quality interior provided by this car. If it wasn't for those forgiving seats, the Mazda CX-80 would feel quite rough and ready when being bashed by the worst bit of British roads. The thick tyre walls offered some respite from this battering, but overall, the Mazda CX-80 seemed to struggle a bit with our rough and tumble surfaces. However, when it was being nursed around urban streets using EV-only power, the SUV felt much better than when it was fighting that horrible concrete section of the M25. Again, that's good news for the school run crew. The technology The CX-80 strikes a sensible compromise between buttons and screen activity, with one landscape-orientated, 12.3in infotainment area in the middle of the dash. Down below are lots of actual buttons, for climate controls and the like, which is appreciated. I quite liked the mix between traditional and modern. Mazda have got it about right in that respect with a delicious driver display supplemented by a cool head-up offering in my car. Mazda likes to do its own thing when it comes to in-car tech and, a bit like Lexus, the experience looks premium on paper and expectation levels are high. It's not always such a great user experience though. I felt this about the voice control system, which seemed unable to help me get to London Heathrow airport after an unexpected detour due to a road closure. I gave up in the end after trying just 'London' with no luck. Disappointing. Once I'd got my head around the way the system works it wasn't bad; the fonts and overall layout are okay. A big round dial on the centre console let me scroll through and select lots of options in transit and, for the most part, this worked quite well. However, much as I like my Japanese cars, I do think infotainment systems on a lot of them do leave a little bit to be desired. I'm adding the Mazda CX-80 to that list. The adaptive LED headlights on my trim level were impressive, mind, and Mazda has added in a duo of three-pin plug sockets to the CX-80 so laptops and the like can be plugged in for convenience. Elsewhere, my car had wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, lots of Google interactivity and integration with Amazon Alexa if that's your bag. A quick nod of approval to the Bose audio system too, which worked a treat in the cathedral-like confines. Mazda CX-80 verdict I drove a top-of-the-range CX-80, which meant that its price tag was in the region of £55,000. However, lower levels variants are in the £40k ballpark, which is a little more bearable. The upside of spending the extra cash is the premium feel of the interior. That might seem like money well spent but if, as I suspect, the Mazda CX-80 will likely end up ferrying kids around, a cheaper trim level might be a more practical option. Either way, this car feels a lot less bulky to drive than it actually is, but if you're intimidated by the tight parking scenarios found during school run time, it might just be a little too bulky for comfort. Stuff Says… Score: 4/5 If space is a top priority the Mazda CX-80 is one to watch. Comfort levels are glorious, but there are rivals who pip it to the post in the six- and seven-seater stakes Pros Oodles of room front and back Posh equipment levels and very practical too Relative rarity will probably work in its favour Cons PHEV isn't as refined as the diesel Battery-only range is good but not great A hefty thing to manage in small spaces Mazda CX-80 technical specifications Powertrain 2.5-litre petrol motor, plus permanent magnet synchronous motor Battery 17.8kWh Power 323bhp Torque 406lb-ft 0-62mph 8.4sec Top speed 122mph Range 38 miles (EV only) Charge rate 7.2kW Cargo volume 566 litres
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Get behind the wheel of 2025's hottest new cars at Island motor show
Car enthusiasts and prospective buyers are in for a treat as the highly anticipated Leslies Motor Show 2025 gears up to take place on the Isle of Wight. This year's event, held next Sunday (March 2) between 10am and 4pm at Medina Leisure Centre, promises to offer an exciting glimpse into the future of the automotive industry. The event will feature a range of electric, plug-in hybrid and petrol models. Among the highlights of the show will be the latest models from leading manufacturers, including the Suzuki Swift, Mazda CX-80, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Kia EV3. The new Kia EV3 (Image: Kia) Recommended reading: "Save the Isle of Wight Council" chant protesters and MP outside County Hall Hidden gem hotel unveils pirate pizzeria, music festival and AI robot server Visitors will have the opportunity to test drive many of the vehicles on display, providing a hands-on experience with cutting-edge automotive technology. The event will also feature part-exchange offers, making it an excellent occasion for those looking to upgrade their vehicles. For those interested in accessible vehicle options, the show will include cars available on the Motability Scheme, ensuring that there is something for everyone, regardless of their driving needs. Entry to the event is free, and attendees will enjoy complimentary refreshments. With free parking, visitors can conveniently explore the latest innovations in the industry without hassle. For more details, visit
