The 2025 Mazda CX-80 feels like it’s been designed with families front of mind, offering a mix of child seat flexibility, clever storage solutions, and premium cabin features that make daily life easier.

In the 7-seat configuration, there are five top tether points and two ISOFIX points (both in the second row), which is more generous than many rivals. While the third row doesn’t offer ISOFIX –something we’d love to see given the larger seat width, Mazda’s decision to include five top tether points across the CX-80 and CX-90 range will appeal to parents who need to secure more than three child seats.

Installing child seats is straightforward but requires some planning. The 60/40 split second row can make it tricky to access the third row when you have bulky rear-facing seats installed. In fact, it’s best to install child seats in the third row first, as reaching the anchors after the second row is set up is challenging and next to impossible. Like most 3-row SUVs, the third row is best suited for kids due to tighter legroom and limited access angles—especially if you have any rear-facing seats in the second row. Families needing easier third-row access may prefer the 6-seat configuration, which adds captain’s chairsin the second row.

Interior storage is another strong point. The door bins fit 1L drink bottles, and there are multiple cup holders and clever storage spaces throughout the cabin. Touring and higher trims add rear window sunshades in the second row—an underrated feature for parents and again not included in many of the CX-80’s rivals. The 90-degree rear door opening makes loading bulky child seats or getting kids in and out much easier compared to many 7-seater SUVs on the market.

Cabin comfort is well thought out. There’s tri-zone climate control, though the third-row air vents are oddly positioned at leg level on the wheel arches. On the tech side, Mazda’s infotainment system is simple to use with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a rotary dial for safer control while driving, it’s worth noting if you’re new to Mazda’s the infotainment screen is not touchable all the time and works when the car is stationary. When it’s in motion you have to use the dial.

The leather seats, premium finishes, and interior upholstery options like white or tan elevate the CX-80 into luxury territory, while maintaining the functionality families need. Note these also come with their respective seat layout constraints.

With all 7 seats in use, you have around 258L of boot space in the Mazda CX-80, which is enough for a few school bags or a compact stroller, but larger prams like our Maxi Cosi Mali won’t fit upright. Families using all three rows may need to compromise, opting for soft bags or smaller grocery loads on busy school runs.

Folding the third row down expands storage to 566L, which comfortably accommodates a full-size pram plus around nine shopping bags, leaving room for extras like a nappy bag or after-school sports equipment. For maximum versatility, folding both the second and third rows opens up 1,971L of flat cargo space.

There’s also a underfloor storage compartment, perfect for tucking away smaller essentials like a first aid kit, a change of clothes, or the retractable boot cover when switching between 5- and 7-seat layouts. The wide-opening tailgate and fairly low loading height make it easy to load heavy prams or large grocery hauls, even if you’re not tall –like me. Touring and higher trims also feature a power tailgate, which is a huge help when juggling kids, shopping, and car keys all at once.

For families who value practicality, the CX-80’s boot space is competitive with rivals like the Toyota Kluger and Hyundai Santa Fe, while offering smart design touches like multiple tie-down points and wide access for everyday family life.

In terms of overall family practicality, the CX-80 rivals options like the Hyundai Santa Fe with its thoughtful interior design, smart storage, and flexible seating layouts. While accessing the third row with car seats installed can be challenging (a common issue across this segment), the CX-80 stands out for its wide-opening doors, five top tether anchors, and overall versatility, making it one of the most family-friendly 7-seater SUVs in Australia.

The Mazda CX-80 car seat layout works best for families with multiple young children who don’t need regular access to the third row. A three-across rear-facing setup in the second row is achievable using slimmer seats like the Maxi-Cosi Pria LX, Mico Plus, and Mico 12 LX, making the CX-80 suitable for families with twins or closely spaced children. This setup is ideal when the vehicle is being used primarily as a five-seat family SUV, with the third row folded for boot space.

If regular third-row access is required, the most workable configuration is two forward facing compact car seats installed using ISOFIX on the outboard second-row seats, leaving space to tilt or slide the seat for access. 

This approach suits families with a mix of younger children in car seats and older kids in the third row, but it does limit the ability to run a full three-across configuration and have rear-facing children.

Safety is a clear focus for the Mazda CX-80, with a comprehensive range of active and passive safety features included as standard across the entire model range. 

From everyday driving support in busy school zones to added protection for families travelling with children, Mazda has equipped the CX-80 with technology designed to assist the driver and help reduce the risk of collisions in a wide range of real-world scenarios.

Standard across the whole range is the following safety features:

• 360° view monitor

• Auto high beam control headlights

• Advanced keyless entry with push-button start

• Blind spot monitoring (BSM) with vehicle exit warning

• Driver attention alert (DAA) and Driver monitoring system

• Electronic brake-force distribution (EBD)

• Emergency brake assist (EBA)

• Emergency lane keeping with road keep assist and blind spot assist

• Emergency stop signal (ESS)

• Forward obstruction warning (FOW)

• Front cross traffic alert (FCTA)

• Hill descent control (HDC)

• Hill launch assist (HLA)

• ISOFIX child seat anchors (x2)

• five top tether points (7 seat) or four top tether points (6 seat)

• Lane-keep assist system (LAS)

• Front and rear parking sensors

• Rear cross traffic alert (RCTA)

• Reverse camera

• Smart brake support (SBS) with pedestrian and cyclist detection and turn-across traffic assist

• Traffic sign recognition (TSR)

• Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS)

• Whiplash-minimising front seats

GT:

• Adaptive LED headlights

Azami (adds to GT)

• 360° view monitor with see-through view

• Cruising & traffic support (CTS)

• Ambient lighting (interior upgrade that enhances driver visibility)

ANCAP rating:  The Mazda CX-80 achieved a 5-star ANCAP safety rating in 2024.

The 2025 Mazda CX-80 has achieved a 5 star ANCAP safety rating in 2024. With a strong safety structure, five top tether points, and a comprehensive suite of driver assistance technology.

The CX-80 scored highly across key ANCAP categories, including adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, and vulnerable road user safety, thanks to features like autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane-keep assist, and a standard 360° view camera. Mazda has also made sure that all trims—from the Pure to the Azami—come equipped with an impressive range of standard safety features.

These include blind spot monitoring with vehicle exit warning, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, driver attention alert, and traffic sign recognition, all of which help make daily driving safer and less stressful. The inclusion of five top tether points and two ISOFIX anchors in the second row makes of the 7 seat configuration means this SUV stand out for families who need secure child seat options.

The 2025 Mazda CX-80 has proven to be one of the most well-rounded 7-seater family SUVs on the market, blending premium styling, a suite of safety features, and family-first practicality.

What stands out the most is the attention to detail — from the five top tether points, 90-degree rear door opening, and built-in window shades to the impressive fuel economy of the 3.3L turbo diesel hybrid. The fact that all three AWD powertrains (petrol, diesel, and PHEV) are available gives buyers flexibility that few competitors offer, whether you’re looking for towing power, fuel efficiency, or short-distance electric driving.

While the CX-80 isn’t the cheapest large SUV on the market and servicing costs for the diesel (every 10,000km) are higher compared to rivals like the Toyota Kluger, the overall package is still quite compelling. Even the base Pure trim comes well-equipped with safety tech, spacious interior, and thoughtful family-friendly design. The 2.5-tonne towing capacity and boot flexibility (566L) make it as practical for family road trips as it is for daily school runs.

There are a couple of downsides to note. The 60/40 second-row split and seatbelt placement can limit third-row access, especially with bulky child seats installed. Boot space with all 7 seats in use is also limited, which may require some compromises on strollers or grocery loads. For those needing more room, Mazda’s larger CX-90 is worth considering.

Overall, the Mazda CX-80 is a genuine contender for families who want something more premium than a Kia Sorento or Toyota Kluger but without stepping into the high price brackets of luxury brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. It’s easily one of our top three 7 seater AWD family SUVs for 2025, sitting alongside the new Hyundai Santa Fe for its blend of comfort, safety, and real-world usability.