Mazda CX-5 and CX-8 upgraded

The Mazda CX-5 and Mazda CX-8 have just been upgraded for the Japanese market, with the changes expected to apply to Australian versions of the SUVs in the first half of 2021.

Following updates to the US-market Mazda CX-5 announced mid-year, a bigger 10.2-inch infotainment screen on up-spec variants of both the CX-5 mid-sizer and the CX-8 seven-seat large SUV will be offered, while lower-tier models will get an 8.8-inch screen.

This upgrades from the current 8.0-inch system.

Another key new feature will be a 360-degree parking camera, while both models will also benefit from more processing power for the Mazda Connect operating system designed to speed up loading times, menu response and visual sharpness.

It should also provide more precise sat-nav functionality.

Mazda CX-8 models in Japan get a few other extras, including wireless phone charging, patterned leather seat upholstery, gesture-controlled powered tailgate and subtle changes to the front and rear bumper design.

All CX-5 and CX-8 models benefit from recalibrated six-speed automatic transmissions, which are claimed to improve acceleration thanks to more responsive gear shift timing.

However, only the 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder models will benefit from power changes, from 140kW to 147kW.

Torque remains unchanged at 450Nm, as do the vital statistics of the CX-5’s four-cylinder petrol engine line-up: 2.0-litre (115kW/200Nm), 2.5-litre (140kW/252Nm) and 2.5-litre turbo (170kW/420Nm).

The CX-8 is offered in Australia with 2.5-litre petrol and 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engines, but Mazda Australia may look at reorganising the range to better suit customer demand.

There’s no official news of Mazda’s six-cylinder engine that’s rumoured to work its way into the CX-5.

The changes will help keep both SUVs fresh, with new-generation models not due until about mid-decade.

Mazda Australia is understood to be working through the details and finalising the local specification, details of which should be revealed early next year.

Mazda Japan has also launched a range of ‘Black Tone’ special-edition models this month, including for the CX-5 and CX-8, which come with special Polymetal Grey paint, dark chrome and black exterior trim, black wheels and black interior upholstery with red stitching.

These are still to be confirmed for Australia.

The Mazda CX-5 currently has a strong 14.5 per cent share of the popular mid-size SUV segment with 19,919 sales to the end of November, placing it second only to the Toyota RAV4, which has a dominant 25.4 per cent share (34,995 units).

The larger but similarly-styled Mazda CX-8 has a 3.9 per cent share of the large SUV segment (with 3202 sales year-to-date), where the Toyota Prado is league leader with a 19 per cent share (15,534).