2026 Mazda CX-80 P50e Azami review – Top 5 Pros & Cons

Mazda has been on a mission lately. The brand’s busy Large Product Group – including the CX-60, CX-70, CX-80 and CX-90 – has been moving Mazda upmarket with larger six-cylinder engines, plug-in hybrid tech, and interiors that wouldn’t look out of place in a luxury Euro brand brochure. The CX-80 adds a third row to what is essentially a stretched CX-60.

You can see our full review of the entry-level CX-80 G40e Pure here. But on the other end of the CX-80 scale lies what feels like a rather different SUV aimed at an entirely separate luxury market. In fact, there is about $33k up for discussion if you focus on price alone. It’s Mazda’s flagship SUV in plug-in hybrid ‘P50e’ form, loaded with tech and leather, wearing the ‘Azami’ badge. We have also reviewed this flagship variant of the CX-60 (one less row of seats) here.

To help you decide which suits you, we have broken down the CX-80 P50e Azami into a top 5 pros and cons.

2026 Mazda CX-80 P50e Azami: Pros

1. Strong plug-in hybrid powertrain

The P50e combines a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor and a 17.8kWh battery pack to produce a healthy 241kW and 500Nm. The result is brisk acceleration for a large SUV, with instant torque from the electric motor filling any gaps in the petrol unit’s delivery. It’s quick, clocking 0-100km/h in around the 7.0-seconds region.

2. Electric drive capability:

Mazda claims up to 65km of electric-only range, and in real-world mixed driving we achieved roughly that distance before the petrol engine kicked in. That’s enough for most commutes and school runs without using a drop of fuel. Even with the battery depleted, the hybrid system keeps fuel use reasonably low for its size. We averaged 7.2L/100km. This gives the Azami a distinct advantage over the thirstier six-cylinder models.

It also comes with a Type 2 charging port, capable of charging at up to 7.2kW. That translates to a 20-80 per cent top up in around 90 minutes. Otherwise, there is a trickle charger that plugs into your standard 240-volt general purpose outlet.

3. Luxury-grade features:

Being the headliner ‘Azami’, nothing is left out. You get Nappa leather upholstery, heated front and second-row seats, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and centre touch-screen, Bose 12-speaker premium audio, a panoramic sunroof, head-up display, cruising and traffic support, electric steering wheel adjustment, 20-inch alloys, and a 360-degree camera system.

Safety tech is also comprehensive, including Mazda’s latest driver assist systems with adaptive cruise, driver attention detection, side door exit warning, front and rear cross-traffic alert and much more. It’s every bit as kitted-out as the top end of the luxury SUV market.

If that is not enough, you can also opt for the $6500 ‘SP’ package (as tested), which adds tan Nappa leather, black exterior mods, suede finish dashboard panel, a two-tone colour steering wheel, second row captain’s seats with ventilation, and a second-row centre console with storage.

4. Interior

The Azami’s cabin is a step up from mainstream territory, with plush materials, tight panel fit, and elegant design touches like contrast stitching, subtle woodgrain trim, and soft ambient lighting. The seating position is commanding without feeling truck-like, and the second-row seats are particularly comfortable for adults on long trips. The third row also provides decent padding, ventilation and comfort levels.

Seven-seat flexibility, generous door storage, an almost 90-degree wide door opening, and multiple charging points in all rows make the CX-80 family-friendly. Opting for the PHEV does not have you sacrifice boot space either. Just like all other powertrains, boot space sits at 258 litres with all seats up, 566L with the third row folded, and a cavernous 1971L with the second row down. Flat load floors make loading bulky items straightforward.

5. Cheaper and less servicing required in the PHEV

Compared to all other variants in the CX-80 range, the plug-in hybrid P50e is cheaper to service. Servicing is required every 15,000km or 12 months. When conducted at a Mazda service centre, the first seven services are advertised to cost $435, $635, $546, $635, $435, $762, and $435. That totals $3883 over the 105,000km or seven years. Whereas the all-petrol G40e powertrain would cost $4763 over the same term. Then the diesel D50e would cost $5059, and only covers you to 70,000km as services are required more frequently, at 10,000km

2026 Mazda CX-80 P50e Azami: Cons

1. Ride is on the firm side

Despite suspension revisions since we tested the CX-60 in 2023, including softened rear springs and uprated dampers, the CX-80 struggles to iron out sharper imperfections. Especially in Azami guise on its 20-inch wheels. Expansion joints and potholes can send a thud through the cabin, particularly at lower speeds. It’s more composed at highway pace, but compared with some rivals, the ride prioritises body control over outright plushness.

2. Heavy steering feel

The steering retains Mazda’s signature weightiness, which can be satisfying on an open road but feels unnecessarily heavy in urban driving and tight parking manoeuvres. While accurate, it doesn’t have the light, effortless feel when it’s needed. In particular, we found the swing back to centre requires some muscle instead of slowly swinging back itself.

3. PHEV is pricey

At over $90k before on-roads, the P50e Azami is a big jump from the G40e Pure or even a mid-grade Touring diesel, both of which offer strong performance and plenty of kit. It also bumps the price up into luxury Euro rival territory that naturally come with a richer charm to their nameplates. While the PHEV tech brings lower running costs, those doing frequent long trips without charging, or have poor access to charging, may find it harder to justify the premium.

4. Charging time not the fastest

With AC charging limited to 7.2kW, a full battery top-up from empty takes around 1.5 hours on a wall box, or closer to 8.5 hours from a standard household outlet. There’s no DC fast-charging capability, which means you can’t take advantage of rapid top-ups on the go – not a major issue for a PHEV, but worth noting considering there are more and more PHEVs hitting the market offering fast DC charging.

5. Off-road?

Off-road ability isn’t the CX-80’s strong suit. While it does offer all-wheel drive and an “off-road” driving mode, its modest 175mm ground clearance, low-profile 20-inch tyres, and reliance on a tyre repair kit keep it firmly in the soft-roader category. It will cope confidently on rain-soaked roads, loose gravel, and the odd light dirt track, but throw it into deep ruts or thick mud and it’s out of its comfort zone. Buyers chasing off-road capability will be better served by more purpose-built SUVs.

2026 Mazda CX-80 P50e Azami: Specifications

Engine: 2.5-litre plug-in hybrid four-cylinder
Output: 241kW@6000rpm / 500Nm@4000rpm
Gearbox: Eight-speed auto
Drive type: All-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 20×7.5, 235/50
ANCAP: Five stars

Tare weight: 2160kg
Power-to-weight: 8.96:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 2.7L/100km
Our consumption: 7.0L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 70L/95 RON
Power efficiency: 89.25kW:L/100km
Starting price: $87,450

*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different