Mazda CX-8 to undercut Toyota Kluger

Mazda Australia has announced pricing for its all-new CX-8, including a starting price of $42,490 plus on-road costs for the seven-seat diesel crossover.

Despite expectations and a diesel engine, that makes the CX-8 cheaper than Australia’s top-selling car-based seven-seat SUV, the Toyota Kluger V6 (from $44,500), and positions it between Mazda’s own CX-5 (from $28,690) and CX-9 (from $43,890).

Due in showrooms next month, the CX-8 – which shares its wheelbase and width with the CX-5 rather than the longer, wider, turbo-petrol CX-9 — will be available in three variants, all offering seven seats and a 140kW/450Nm 2.2-litre diesel engine with six-speed automatic transmission.

The base price applies to the CX-8 Sport front-wheel drive, while the mid-range CX-8 Sport all-wheel drive costs $4000 more at $46,490 plus ORCs and the CX-8 Asaki AWD tops the range at $61,490 plus ORCs — $3300 less than the range-topping CX-9 Azami ($64,790).

Mazda Australia is yet to confirm CX-8 equipment levels, but we expect all models to come with autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, LED headlights and a reversing camera.

The top-shelf Mazda CX-8 Asaki is likely to switch the Sport’s 17-inch alloy wheels for 19s, and add items like a powered tailgate, heated and power-adjustable front seats and Bose sound.

How much is the 2018 Mazda CX-8?
Sport FWD — $42,490
Sport AWD — $46,490
Asaki AWD — $61,490