ForceGT.com

Mazda CX-8 adds petrol variant and sub-$40k entry price

Alvin Lee

Further expanding Mazda extensive SUV offering, the CX-8 now gains a second powertrain option, more variants, and boosts safety and convenience while retaining its value-for-money proposition with the range starting at less than $40,000.

In the second update since it first launched in June 2018, the CX-8 gives more choice to customers looking for a spacious, well-appointed and economical seven-seat SUV.

Petrol power headlines the 2020 update, with the Skyactiv-G 2.5L petrol engine joining the line-up, targeted at customers that undertake more regular urban driving. New Mazda CX-8 also retains its efficient Skyactiv-D 2.2L diesel engine, more suited to regular country driving.

The Skyactiv-G 2.5L petrol engine is available as FWD, growing the number of variants in the range from three to eight, including the introduction of Touring and GT to give customers even more choice.

The entry level Sport is available with a choice of Skyactiv-G 2.5L FWD or Skyactiv-D 2.2L i-Activ AWD. The same powertrains are offered for Touring, which steps up with more premium features like Black leather trim.

GT offers a more refined suite of equipment including remote-operated power tailgate and 19-inch alloys, and is available with Skyactiv-D i-Activ AWD or FWD. Asaki replicates this powertrain choice, adding more luxurious touches befitting the top grade, like real wood trim inserts, front seat ventilation function and a 360˚ View Monitor.

AWD models are equipped with Mazda’s newly developed Off-Road Traction Assist function for rough road driving. This driver support technology brings the AWD and traction control systems together to supress tyre spin and distribute the right amount of torque to the tyres that have grip.

The entire lineup benefits from an advanced version of Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) that adds night time pedestrian protection to enhance New Mazda CX-8’s impressive safety credentials, plus a larger 8-inch central dash display with enlarged icons and text to offers better readability.

For Touring and above, third row functionality is enhanced with a one touch walk-in switch added to the left and right seat cushion sides on the second row. The seats fold down with a single touch making simple work of third row entry and egress.

The third row also gets two 2.5A USB power points in GT and Asaki, making it possible to charge smartphones and other devices from any seat. Both grades also add an electric sunroof, enhancing a feeling of openness in the cabin.

Engineers have further revised NVH quality for this update, adding more damping material to the roof of the CX-8 to reduce noise penetrating the cabin on rainy days. A fresh key fob and new generation nameplate badging cap off the changes.

Price List

Grade

Engine

Drivetrain

MLP

Sport

2.5L Petrol

FWD

$39,910

Sport

2.2L Diesel

AWD

$46,910

Touring

2.5L Petrol

FWD

$46,590

Touring

2.2L Diesel

AWD

$53,590

GT

2.2L Diesel

FWD

$57,900

GT

2.2L Diesel

AWD

$61,900

Asaki

2.2L Diesel

FWD

$61,440

Asaki

2.2L Diesel

AWD

$65,440

New Mazda CX-8 at a glance

Mazda CX-8 Sport

Powertrain:

2.5 litre in-line 4 cylinder 16 valve DOHC S-VT petrol (Skyactiv-G) engine with i-stop

OR

2.2 litre in-line 4 cylinder 16 valve DOHC intercooled twin-turbo diesel (Skyactiv-D) engine with i-stop

Sport features:

Mazda CX-8 Touring

Powertrain:

2.5 litre in-line 4 cylinder 16 valve DOHC S-VT petrol (Skyactiv-G) engine with i-stop

OR

2.2 litre in-line 4 cylinder 16 valve DOHC intercooled twin-turbo diesel (Skyactiv-D) engine with i-stop

Touring features, in addition to Sport:

Mazda CX-8 GT

Powertrain:

2.2 litre in-line 4 cylinder 16 valve DOHC intercooled twin-turbo diesel (Skyactiv-D) engine with i-stop

GT features, in addition to Touring:

Mazda CX-8 Asaki

Powertrain:

2.2 litre in-line 4 cylinder 16 valve DOHC intercooled twin-turbo diesel (Skyactiv-D) engine with i-stop

Asaki features, in addition to GT: