Mazda CX-8 2018 Review — Long-term test #3

I’m a fan of the Mazda CX-9 and regularly point friends with growing families in this direction. Winner of our 2016 Carsales Car of the Year, the Mazda CX-9 is a great seven-seater with something for everyone where packing is concerned.

But one thing I regularly hear from said friends is that’s too big and that it feels a little unwieldy [for them] on the road. Understandable given most of this is from people stepping into a large SUV for the first time.

This is where the slightly smaller CX-8 has the potential to shine. The 2018 Mazda CX-8 feels every bit as accomplished as the CX-9 (maintaining a very car-like feel at the wheel and seven-seats), but in a dimensionally tighter package.
That change in size however has its pros and cons, which I’ll discuss later.

So plush

Our test vehicle is the top spec 2018 Mazda CX-8 Asaki, featuring the most beautiful white nappa leather interior. It screams anti-family, but I actually adore it. It brightens any cabin and I think it looks more upmarket than most dark leather finishes. Despite my better judgement, I’d probably spec this leather (and some new car rules) if I were buying the CX-8 (or any Mazda that offered it actually).

Inside you’ll find the level of detail we now expect from Mazda; top-notch. Ergonomics are great, in cabin storage good and fit and finish excellent. Technology abounds with heated seats, heated steering wheel and head up display standard, while Mazda’s MZD connect infotainment array delivers the goods with phone pairing, hands free voice controls, satellite navigation and more. The lack of phone mirroring like Apple CarPlay/Android Auto remains a detractor, even if this can now be had as an option.

Built for seven passengers and competitively priced, the 2018 Mazda CX-8 is destined to poach buyers from both the CX-5 and CX-9.

The CX-8 is based on the CX-9 and shares the same wheelbase (2930mm) but the overall dimensions see it come in a little smaller (175mm shorter and 129mm narrower). It shares width (1840mm) with the CX-5 but measures 350mm longer, making way for that all-important (potentially game changing) third row.

The CX-8 is a tad lighter (kerb weight) than the CX-9 and both tow 2000kg (braked).
How does that all translate on the road? It feels nothing like the CX-5 and a lot like the CX-9 to me. The 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine feels like it’s made for my suburban life needs: efficient and responsive. It’s got more torque than the CX-9 (450Nm) and delivers nice punch when needed, like freeway overtaking.

The steering and overall ride comfort is great.

The second row of the CX-8 is incredibly spacious and well equipped; heated (outboard) seats for starters. You’ll find two USB charge points, dual back seat pockets, retractable window blinds and tri-zone climate control. Our vehicle was optioned with the back of seat iPad mounts ($197 each) that are great if you actually have iPads. It worked as a constant reminder to my kids that they don’t! [worst Mum]

The second row reclines and slides, allowing for better adjustability depending on your occupant load. There’s plenty of room in row two, even for three adults.

Row three not quite so much. The second row of seating slides easily enough, but getting them back into place is tough – physically demanding for me, undoable for my kids. Second row slid forward, there’s reasonable access to the third row, which also provides decent comfort and foot space, benefiting from that sliding second row. Headroom is going to be tight for anyone taller than me (around 163cm) – which I’m finding lots of kids quickly exceed! There are no dedicated air vents, which is not uncommon for this segment, but a disappointment nonetheless.

The CX-8 Asaki is equipped with great driver assistance technology such as lane departure warning, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, 360-degree camera and front and rear parking sensors. All of which I find incredibly usefully hauling a large car around busy suburban streets (full of SUVs).

However (despite my obvious skill), I still struggled reversing this car. The technology did its job perfectly, but you should never rely solely on such features. It was when I wanted to perform head checks that I struggled. Visibility is very poor with second row passengers on board, shocking with the third row in play.

Lots of variables come into play when getting comfortable behind the wheel, so this will be different for everyone. In the CX-8, I could not. And so I would not buy one. A shame, because I love it.

How much does the 2018 Mazda CX-8 Asaki cost?
Price: $61,490 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 140kW/450Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 158g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP, 2018)

Long-Term Tests
We aim to make your choice of vehicle easier. Our Editorial section does this via our mix of news, international and local launch reviews, as well as our seven-day tests.

From time to time we also take the opportunity to spend even longer with a vehicle. These longer-term tests can be as short as a couple of weeks, but more recently we’ve settled on a three-month period as indicative of ‘normal’ ownership.

Long-term tests give our staff writers and contributors a chance to get to know a car as an owner would. While the car is with us, we pay for fuel, the servicing, and generally use and live with the car as a new owner would.

We believe long-term tests give car buyers a deeper insight into the vehicle on test, but also the qualities behind the brand and nameplate. The extended period also allows us to touch base with the dealer networks in question.

It comes as no surprise that manufacturers tend to have a love-hate relationship with long-term tests. Three months is plenty long enough to fall out of love with the latest and greatest, and start to nit-pick — just like real owners do.