When Mazda unveiled its plans to revolutionise its range by introducing the ‘Large Product Group’ lineup, including all-new inline-6 engines and higher levels of luxury, we were worried the brand would abandon its loyal, budget-conscious buyers.
Smartly, Mazda has left one toe in that market with the CX-80 G40e ‘Pure’. The Pure is the base level of Mazda’s trim spec. And the CX-80 is the only model in the Large Product Group (CX-60, CX-70, CX80 and CX-90) family to be offered in Pure. This means you can access that 6-cylinder petrol grunt for an attractive price of $54,950 (excluding on-road costs).
The CX-70 is a slightly longer version of the CX-60 with a third row of seats added in (the wheelbase is 250mm longer). We just spent a week with the base model to investigate what it’s like. Here are our top-five pros and cons.
2025 Mazda CX-80 G40e Pure: Pros
1. Big, powerful engine available in base-spec trim
The G40e 3.3-litre straight-six turbo-petrol engine is a rare beauty as engines are generally getting smaller. An generous 209kW is available, allowing it fly from 0-100km/h in a Vbox-tested 7.02 seconds. With 450Nm to tap into, it also has the pull to ascend with a load with minimal effort. And it pushes from a rear-biased drive setup to give you that luxury German tourer feel.
They are some impressive figures from a Mazda. The great thing is, this engine is made to bring the CX-80 up a class. But Mazda kindly gives you access to it in the cheaper base spec model. The mild-hybrid 48-volt electric side works in with Mazda’s ‘i-Stop’ technology. It shuts the engine off when power isn’t needed – even at speeds above 100km/h – during coasting or braking to help reduce consumption.
2. Generous features list for entry spec
Even though this is the base variant, it bundles in all the important stuff. Like, seating for seven passengers, a sizeable 10.25-inch wide-screen centre display with digital radio, sat-nav and Mazda Connected Services, a 7.0-inch instrument cluster display that integrates with some elegant analogue gauges, head-up display, powered tailgate, 360-degree view cameras, wireless and USB Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, smart brake support with turn-across traffic assist, blind-spot monitoring, vehicle exit warning, front and rear cross-traffic alert, an eight-speaker sound system, and more.
What you don’t get from the higher-spec models; a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster, leather or Nappa leather seats with power adjustments and position memory, heated seats, a heated steering wheel, a wireless phone charger, rear window sunshades, bigger alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, body-coloured wheel arches and lower cladding, and a more premium Bose sound system with amplifier and 12 speakers. So, if you can do without those, you can save yourself a lot of money.
3. Interior comfort with a premium touch
Mazda has upped the ante with its interiors of late. Even though the CX-80 Pure does not get the full exhibit, it still has a premium feel, with soft-touch materials where it matters, black cloth seats that actually feel decent, sturdy buttons and knobs, a silver dash inlay, and elegant brushed chrome surrounds throughout. In addition, the layout is very neat, making it an easy cockpit to live with.
4. Practicality
To start with, seven seats is a generous inclusion on a base variant. It also accommodates each passenger considerately. There is three-zone climate control, cup holders in every row, including two on each side of the third row, generous door pockets and centre console, decent leg and head room for all (for this class), and even a 150W AC power outlet.
The boot is able to swallow heaps of family holiday luggage, with 566 litres to the top of the second-row seat backrests. With the second row folded, this increases to 1971 litres. Or, if all seats are in use, you still get 258 litres. If the debate is between the CX-80 and CX-60, there is not a huge difference in boot space, but the main thing is this CX-80 offers more; CX-60 Evolve G40e offers 477L/1726L.
1. Servicing intervals for petrol G40e
After-sales service and maintenance is often forgotten when it comes to making that all-important choice. Compared with the diesel variants in the CX-80 range, petrol variants are cheaper to service. Servicing is required every 15,000km or 12 months.
The diesel variant is required more frequently, every 10,000km. When conducted at a Mazda service centre, the first seven services are advertised to cost $453, $649, $561, $1320, $453, $774, and $453. That’s $4663 over the 105,000km coverage. The diesel variant is $4968, and covers only to 70,000km. However, the plug-in hybrid undercuts all with its $3797 total cost.
2025 Mazda CX-80 G40e Pure: Cons
1. Suspension refinement
With double wishbones at the front and multilink at the rear, the CX-80’s suspension offers a generally comfortable ride, but it’s not flawless. When you encounter bumps or potholes, the impact isn’t always fully absorbed, and a noticeable thud and noise travels up into the cabin. While the Pure, with its smaller 18-inch wheels and taller 235/60 tyres, feels a little smoother than the premium trim levels with 20-inch rims, the experience is still a little more pronounced compared with other mid-size SUVs.
2. Fuel economy
That power from the large 3.3-litre engine means you pay for it at the petrol station. The official average fuel consumption is 8.4L/100km, which is decent, but our average was worse, at 9.1L/100km, climbing into the 10s under pushing demands. Even with the fact it can run on the cheapest 91 RON or E10 petrol, this cost will obviously add up over time.
It’s a pity the D50e diesel engine is not also offered in the Pure spec. You need to upgrade to at least the Touring for $10k more. That runs with a remarkable average of just 5.2L/100km. Though, it doesn’t quite pack the punchiness – or neat sound – of this petrol inline-six.
3. Cumbersome steering at times
It feels quite hefty and unwieldy, giving it a larger feel to drive than its actual size suggests. This can make driving more exhausting than it should be, especially when you’re dealing with tight parking spaces or slow-speed manoeuvres. While the steering does become more handleable at higher speeds, it doesn’t feel as refined and planted in the lane as other Mazda models, including the CX-5 and the old CX-8. That weightiness is hard to ignore because it affects precision and absolute touring comfort in our opinion. But try it for yourself.
4. Side mirror position
The side mirrors are set further back on the door than typical, bringing them closer to you. However, this means you’ll have to turn your head a bit more to get a clear view. After a week of getting used to it, we still preferred to have them further to the front as you can use your peripheral vision more. In saying that, having them mounted further back clears up common A-pillar blind spots.
5. Off-road suitability
Even with its all-wheel-drive system and an “off-road” driving mode, the CX-80’s 170mm of ground clearance is low for an SUV. Coupled with a tyre repair kit across all grades, true off-road and grand touring potential is limited compared with some 7-seat SUV rivals. If that’s important to you.
While it can handle light gravel roads with its taller tyre sidewalls (compared with more deluxe CX-80s), it’s not built for tackling the real rugged, muddy terrain. For more serious off-road adventures, there are more heavy-duty options out there.
2025 Mazda CX-80 G40e Pure: Specifications
Engine: 3.3-litre turbo inline-6 mild-hybrid
Output: 209kW@5000-6000rpm / 450Nm@2000-3500rpm
Gearbox: Eight-speed auto
Drive type: All-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 18×7.5, 235/60
ANCAP: Five stars
Tare weight: 2005kg
Power-to-weight: 9.59:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 8.4L/100km
Our consumption: 9.1L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 74L/91 RONPower efficiency: 24.88kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 3.60 seconds*
0-100km/h: 7.02 seconds*
60-110km/h: 4.48 seconds*
1/4 mile: 15.16 seconds at 156.8km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.809g*
100-0km/h braking: 40.39m in 3.40 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.215g*
Decibel at idle: 48*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 88*
Starting price: $54,950
*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different
2025 Mazda CX-80 G40e Pure: Video
How does it rate against its rivals?
- Price
- Quality look & feel
- Interior tech
- Powertrain performance
- Ride & handling
- X factor (does it stand out in its class?)
Final word
The 2024 Mazda CX-80 G40e Pure offers a powerful inline-6 engine, a solid list of features and decent interior feel, even as a base variant. It’s also compellingly spacious, with seven-seats and generous boot space. If you can look past the less-than-perfect suspension, the CX-80 Pure is a persuasive large SUV for a respectable price.
