2022 Mazda CX-8

Mazda CX-8 2021-2022 Review

Not every model in the Mazda line-up needs to be as exciting or extravagant or alluring as the models that really show off Mazda’s ability to design and engineer cars. Some products can exist to fill a need – and that’s exactly why the Mazda CX-8 was brought to market. As much as it is a Mazda product, it is also a three-row SUV priced and positioned at a more budget-friendly price point.

Up to the previous generation of Mazda products, the line-up only featured two SUVs: the Mazda CX-7, and the Mazda CX-9. Over time both of these models evolved and changed, with the CX-7 being discontinued, and the Mazda CX-3 and CX-5 filling in through the range, alongside the Mazda CX-30. The Mazda CX-9 was positioned as a much more premium product, with prices quite nearly touching the RM 300,000 mark – and other than this, Mazda didn’t really have any more seven-seater products as their MPVs were being phased out.

The Mazda CX-8 is a product largely designed for the ASEAN, Chinese, Australian, and New Zealand markets. Rather surprisingly, the flagship Mazda CX-9 is not sold in Japan which in turn makes the Mazda CX-8 the crown jewel of Mazda’s SUV range there. It’s difficult to determine of the Mazda CX-8 is a reskinned Mazda CX-9, or an extended version of the Mazda CX-5 as there are elements of both cars in its design.

Initially, the Mazda CX-8 was offered in four different variants, with either 2WD or 4WD, and a choice of two engine variants (petrol or diesel). It was first launched locally back in 2019, and never received any updates or facelifts. In June 2022, Mazda updated the diesel variant and added a 2.5T AWD SUV into the range, which gave the CX-8 a lot more performance as well as updated features

Mazda CX-8 2021-2022 Specifications

Among the five variants on offer in the Malaysian market, consumers can get the Mazda CX-8 with three different engines – either a petrol-powered naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre engine, petrol-powered turbocharged 2.5-litre engine or a 2.2-litre turbodiesel mill. All engines are paired with the same six-speed SKYACTIV DRIVE conventional automatic transmission, although four-wheel drive is limited to just the turbocharged variant.

The petrol powerplant makes a healthy 192 PS and 258 Nm of torque – sufficient numbers when it comes to mass market production cars, and more than enough punch to shift the weight of this three-row SUV. This engine is also found in other products like the Mazda CX-5 and Mazda 6, representing the largest of the naturally aspirated engine options that Mazda products.

At the helm of 2022’s revised CX-8 range is the 2.5T motor, lifted straight out of the CX-9. With 228hp and 420Nm of torque, this turbocharged petrol engine even develops the exact same output as the one found in the more expensive SUV.

On the other hand, the 188hp turbodiesel is no longer the range-topper. Its party piece however still remains to be the fact that it can deliver 450 Nm of torque from as low as 2,000 rpm – the real reason that diesels are especially popular in industrial uses and among Europeans – and that in turn helps to improve fuel consumption by keeping engine speeds lower.

Dimensionally, all four variants are the same. They all measure 4,900 mm in length and 1,840 mm in width, with a wheelbase of 2,930 mm – just slightly shorter and narrower than the Mazda CX-9. The kerb weight is nothing to sniff at with petrol 2WD variants going for 1,781 kg, and the turbodiesel 4WD variant weighing in at 1,924 kg.

Mazda CX-8 2021-2022 Exterior

Across the range of Mazda CX-8 variants, all models get automatic LED headlights, LED tail lights, and a powered tailgate. The entry-level variant does with bulb-type daytime running lights, while the remaining four variants replace this with LED units. All variants come equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels. On the whole, the Mazda CX-8 doesn’t come with the most intricate and crafted exterior lines, with styling following that of the CX-5 albeit in a larger format.

While the full spec rundown remains fairly similar between this 2022 revision and the outgoing CX-8, the newer car can be differentiated by an updated front-end treatment for variants in ‘High’ and ‘High Plus’ trim lines (basically 4 of the 5 variants), gaining a gunmetal accented finish and chrome bumper garnish, as well as a wireless smartphone charger to work with the wirelessly connected Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Mazda CX-8 2021-2022 Interior

If you’re wondering why we’re calling the Mazda CX-8 a three-row SUV and not a seven-seater SUV, it’s because not all variants of the Mazda CX-8 have a seven seat setup. In fact, only the entry level variant is a seven-seater, while the other four variants are six-seaters because the second-row bench is traded out in favour of captain chairs. The range-topper and the diesel variant also receive heated and ventilated front seats (in leather, of course) in 2022.

Mazda CX-8 2021-2022 Safety Features

If there’s on area that Mazda doesn’t quite have an edge in when it comes to engineering, it would be in advanced safety systems. All variants of the Mazda CX-8 get six airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, stability and traction control systems, hill launch assist, and ISOFIX child seat anchors. The entry level variant gets none of the i-ACTIVSENSE items – while the 2WD MID variant gets adaptive front lighting, bling spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and smart city brake support for the front. The top two variants now come with an updated i-Activsense active safety suite which now includes adaptive headlights with high beam control, Smart Brake Support (AEB) for the front and rear, and Mazda Radar Cruise Control with stop and go.

Mazda CX-8 2021-2022 Strengths & Weakness

A modern Mazda is a fantastic product no matter how you cut it – with well-engineered ride and handling characteristics, modern powertrains which are responsive and intuitive, as well an overall level of functionality that doesn’t feel utilitarian. The Mazda CX-8 is no different in these respects, delivering on the promises it makes at an attractive price point.

All variants became more exciting in 2022 after the range update, as standard on all variants is Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus) that builds upon the original GVC system to improve overall driving comfort by strategically, though almost imperceptibly intervening via small Traction Control and torque vectoring adjustments to reduce lateral movement forces and fatigue upon the occupants, leading to a more composed and stable ride.

The only noticeable weakness of the Mazda CX-8 is the fact that it isn’t as exciting of a product as its siblings throughout the range, though that’s a difficult thing to achieve when you remember just how much effort and thought Mazda puts into their products. It’s hard to make a three-row SUV look and feel sexy while also keeping it at a target price point, and Mazda has done exceptionally well to make a functional product – not something we see often, but one that’s still necessary.

Mazda CX-8 2021-2022 Price

Going forward, the locally-assembled (Kulim, Kedah) 2022 model year CX-8 will comprise of 5 variants, with on-the-road prices excluding insurance as follows:

• CX-8 2.5G 2WD MID - RM177,674
• CX-8 2.5G 2WD HIGH - RM183,452
• CX-8 2.5G 2WD HIGH PLUS - RM197,553
• CX-8 2.2D 2WD HIGH (new in 2022) - RM204,758
• CX-8 2.5T AWD HIGH PLUS (new in 2022) - RM212,425

Mazda CX-8 2021-2022 Features

In terms of features, the Mazda CX-8 is fairly flat across the range. All variants get items like keyless entry and start, a seven-inch Mazda Connect infotainment system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality, Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control technology, automatic start-stop, as well as adaptive LED headlights.

Mazda CX-8 2021-2022 Fuel Consumption

Fuel consumption figures from the manufacturer are available for the Mazda CX-8, with all naturally aspirated petrol variants returning the same 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres travelled, or 12.7 kilometres per litre. The diesel variant naturally does a little better at 6.0 litres per 100 kilometres, or 16.7 kilometres per litre. The turbocharged variant however does not have an official figure, but we will update this when we can get hold of the manufacturer's fuel consumption claim.