Large SUVs continue to be popular in urban areas

I want a car that is big and can carry a lot of people and luggage. There may be more people than you think who want that. When you look at the size of a compact SUV, you think, "It looks easy to use," but there are definitely some people who want a larger size.

This is evidenced by the lines of huge SUVs in the city center. In Minato Ward, Mercedes-Benz G-Class and GLS, Range Rovers, Defenders, Porsche Cayennes, and more are lined up waiting at traffic lights. If you're driving a low-riding car like a sedan, you'll be overwhelmed by their imposing presence.

You can see this by taking BMW as an example. In Japan, you might think that the sales figures for the X3 and X1 are far ahead of the X5, but in the global market, the XXNUMX is selling better. Even though there are differences in road conditions, this just shows that there are people who want a certain level of utility.

However, when you list the specific model names, you can see that most of them are imported cars. Unlike other countries, even though domestic manufacturers are so well developed, domestic cars tend to be overshadowed when it comes to large sizes. Of course, Toyota's off-road vehicles such as the Land Cruiser 300 and the new Land Cruiser 250 are doing well. However, perhaps due to delivery delays, they are still not very noticeable.

The same goes for the Mitsubishi Outlander, which is my personal favorite. I don't know if it's because the number of models is small or because users are scattered all over Japan, but it's undeniable that it has a weak presence.

The Mazda CX-80 exudes unwavering stability and reliability

Mazda has just launched a new car. It's an SUV called the CX-80. Mazda is currently working on developing models in its "large product group." The CX-60 was the starting point, and the CX-90, CX-70, and others have been announced overseas, and the company is building a lineup of relatively large SUVs. I wrote about this in a series in May of this year, so please take a look there. It will be interesting to see how Mazda will change with the large product group.

So, this time I got behind the wheel of the new CX-80, so I'd like to share some of my impressions. When you actually start the engine and drive on regular roads or highways, the impression of the car can sometimes change. For better or worse.

As a reminder, the new car has three powertrains. A plug-in hybrid with a 3-liter inline 2.5-cylinder gasoline engine and a motor, a 4V mild hybrid with a 3.3-liter inline 6-cylinder diesel engine and a motor, and a 48-liter inline 3.3-cylinder diesel engine without a motor. The plug-in hybrid is a type that can be charged and powered. The mild hybrid is a type that uses a motor in a limited area with a small capacity battery. It assists restarting at a green light and accelerating the engine.

The first car I got behind the wheel of was a plug-in hybrid. The interior is luxurious, and it feels like a large luxury SUV. And the driving is an extension of the CX-60. The steering wheel and other controls have a solid feel and feel responsive. It also has high straight-line stability and is quite stable on the highway. This is probably the benefit of the long wheelbase. I'm sure you won't get tired easily even if you drive in a straight line.

The next mild hybrid I drove was sportier. The large-displacement diesel engine is powerful and responsive because it revs well. To put it in a more technical way, it gives you the feeling of a straight-six engine. In some ways, it's the ideal engine type.

And like the plug-in hybrid, it's comfortable to ride. The cabin is always flat, so no matter where you sit, your body won't be shaken. Even though both have large 20-inch tires, there seems to be little vibration. Perhaps this is the sense of luxury that Mazda wants to express.

So, if you are looking for a reasonably spacious SUV, check out this car. Oh, and I forgot to mention the most important thing, but the CX-80 is characterized by its three-row seating. It is available in 3-seat and 6-seat models. In that sense, it may be good for those who are tired of minivans.

Tatsuya Kushima

Motor journalist and columnist. Currently, he is the media site editor-in-chief and media business producer for the surfing magazine "NALU." She has previously served as editor-in-chief of many men's magazines, golf magazines, car magazines, airline in-flight magazines, etc. In addition to media activities, he is a member of the Japan Car of the Year selection committee, a member of the Japan Cigar Association, a Japan Boat of the Year selection committee, and the creative director of men's golf wear ``The Duke's Golf.''