For 2020 Mazda will offer their seven-seat CX-8 SUV with a 2.5-litre Skyactiv petrol engine in the more affordable Sport variant now starting at $39,910 (driveaway pricing TBA). Full pricing appears at the end of this article.
The CX-8 gets specification tweaks across the range while retaining the excellent 2.2-litre turbo diesel supposing all-wheel-drive models.
Offering a more compact alternative to the brand’s flagship CX-9 SUV, the CX-8 must also battle the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace, soon-to-be-updated Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe.
Borrowed from the brand’s smaller CX-30, the 2.5-litre Skyactiv engine will offer identical power outputs of 140kW and 252Nm, though unlike turbocharged competitors that peak torque won’t be on offer until the engine is spinning at 4,000RPM.
Naturally, the 2.2-litre diesel engine will continue for 2020. Peak power is identical at 140kW, but the turbo diesel promises a 450Nm gob of torque at just 2,000RPM which should suit the lazy character of the large SUV.
Although the 2.5 petrol offers a more affordable, traditional Mazda experience we would still opt for the diesel with that greater lump of torque.
This year’s entry variant is now called the Sport and is equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, the option of front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive (for an extra $7,000), GVC Plus, 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, leather-wrapped steering wheel, satellite navigation and a black cloth interior.
Safety equipment is generous with Mazda’s full suite of active systems standard. The tech includes blind-spot monitoring, high-speed AEB, adaptive cruise control, reversing camera and rear cross-traffic alert.
Stepping up to the $46,590 (driveaway pricing TBA) Touring grade you can still select either a petrol or diesel powertrain. The equipment list swells with LED foglights, power-adjustable front seats, front parking sensors and a rear armrest.
Mazda’s $57,900 (driveaway pricing TBA) CX-8 GT is available exclusively with the 2.2-litre diesel, though all-wheel-drive is optional (add $4,000). Additional tech includes larger 19-inch alloy wheels, premium Bose stereo, heated and electrically adjustable front seats with memory function, panoramic sunroof and power boot-lid.
A range-topping $61,440 (driveaway pricing TBA) Asaki variant mirrors the GT’s powertrain options with AWD adding $4,000. A 7-inch digital instrument display, adaptive LED headlights, heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated Nappa leather seats, wood trim and ambient lighting top off the specification list.
Mazda claims that they have addressed the high road noise concerns for the 2020 CX-8 with additional sound deadening in the roof.
Although entry is now more affordable CX-8 pricing has risen across the board. It’s still an SUV that offers good value, though, especially at the new, lower end of the price spectrum.
Mazda CX-8 2020 Pricing
All prices are before on road costs.
Mazda CX-8 Sport Petrol FWD $39,910 (new model)
Mazda CX-8 Sport Diesel AWD $46,910 (down $1,000)
Mazda CX-8 Touring Petrol FWD $46,590 (new model)
Mazda CX-8 Touring Diesel AWD $53,590 (new model)
Mazda CX-8 GT Diesel FWD $57,900 (new model)
Mazda CX-8 GT Diesel AWD $61,900 (new model)
Mazda CX-8 Asaki Diesel FWD $61,440 (new model)
Mazda CX-8 Asaki Diesel FWD $65,440 (up $2,350)
