Mazda CX-8 v Mazda CX-9 2019 Comparison

Ever debated the merits of diesel versus petrol, or wondered whether your light-duty SUV truly is capable of getting out into the wilds?

Wonder no more, because we’ve come up with the answers. Well, at least something for you to think about, by taking the Mazda CX-8 and CX-9 from the ‘burbs out in the Aussie countryside.

Gosh, we’re even driving them on dirt.

Mazda says Australia and New Zealand are the only two countries in the world where it sells both the CX-8 and CX-9 seven-seat SUVs alongside each other.

So consider this comparison a world first, unless someone in New Zealand has taken these two into the Aussie outback as well.

The Mazda CX-9 is a very highly rated vehicle, having won carsales.com.au car of the year and several other awards as well. But it only comes with a 170kW/420Nm 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine mated with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Add in all-wheel drive -- as we naturally did for this test – and you’re looking at a hefty 1924kg kerb weight. But Mazda still claims a reasonable 8.8L/100km fuel consumption figure. We’ll put that to the test over highways, byways and dirt tracks.

The CX-8 looks very similar to the CX-9, but it’s actually a stretched CX-5, so it’s shorter in overall length (-175mm) and narrower (-129mm). It comes with Mazda’s 140kW/450Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, again mated with a six-speed auto and all-wheel drive.

Mazda claims a 6.0L/100km combined fuel consumption rating despite a 1957kg kerb weight.

Families. It’s as simple as that. But not ones doing it tough. As we explain below, these are two quite expensive vehicles.

For this comparo we’ve gone to the top of the two-model Mazda CX-8 line-up; the $62,590 (plus on-roads) Asaki. Up against it is the $64,620 (plus ORCs) CX-9 GT, which is one below the Azami and Azami LE in its line-up.

You don’t have to spend this much money to get into either model. The entry-level Mazda CX-8 is the $43,410 front-wheel drive Sport, while the CX-9 with the same badge will set you back $45,920. Both are plus ORCs.

Safety-wise our test cars come with five-star ANCAP safety ratings, although the CX-8’s is based on the tougher 2018 test. They also both get six airbags, autonomous emergency braking front and rear, lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, tyre pressure monitoring, traffic sign recognition, driver attention alert, forward obstruction warning, front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree camera.

The Mazda CX-9 has also recently been upgraded to include CX-8 features such as auto door lock and high beam control. But it still misses out on intelligent speed assist, which works with the radar cruise control to adjust the speed of the vehicle in-line with traffic signs.

Other important features they share include adaptive LED headlights, a powered tailgate, tri-zone climate control, leather trim, a head-up display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity along with Bluetooth, sat-nav, Bose audio and heated front and rear outboard seats.

There are some differences to note though; only the CX-9 gets a sunroof, its audio system has 12 speakers versus 10 and its semi-touchscreen is eight inches versus seven. It rolls on 20-inch alloys versus the CX-8’s 19s.

The CX-8’s driving lights are LED versus halogen for the 9, it has 10-way driver’s seat adjustment versus eight and its gets the G-Vectoring Plus handling aid, while the 9 has G-Vectoring. That means the 8 applies a dab of outside brake as the driver steers out of the corner, helping stabilise the car. G-Vectoring aids cornering through subtle torque adjustments alone.

Both cars come with a five-year warranty, allied with (quite short) annual or 10,000km service intervals. Service pricing over 50,000km comes out pretty even, $1669 for the CX-8 and $1781 for the CX-9.

These two are among the best driving SUVs you can buy. They feel broadly similar, being direct in their steering and offering terrific body control for vehicles of this size.

Both are great to drive on bitumen highways and winding roads, while their i-Activ on-demand all-wheel drive system proved proficient tackling dirt tracks during our exploration of the Flinders Ranges. A 205mm ground clearance for the 8 and 222mm for the 9 means you won’t touch down on moderate two-lane tracks.

As long as you stick to appropriate routes like the beautiful Glass Gorge Rd drive in the Flinders, both these cars are capable and comfortable transport.

The Mazda CX-8’s diesel engine gives it more low-rev kick and it revs to an unlikely 5700rpm. That’s not far shy of the petrol engine in the CX-9, although the latter delivers far more free-spinning response at the top of its range than the diesel.

The 9 has a sport button that adds a little more aggression to the drivetrain, but it’s not a night and day difference.

While the CX-9 is wider, both vehicles procure plenty of space for their occupants, especially in rows one and two. Row three space depends on how far you are prepared to slide row two forward.

Wide-opening rear doors and seats that move well out of the way aid exit and entry from row three, but it’s really for kids back there if you’re travelling over any sort of distance – especially so in the shorter CX-8.

Thankfully there are storage areas in row three and the curtain airbags do protect all the way back. But neither vehicle is fitted with third-row air-vents.

The presentation of the interior is high quality, especially in the CX-9, which really does feel rather luxurious. Both cars have plenty of storage space for big and small items. The driver cockpits are terrific; comfortable seats, large and legible dials and plenty of steering column adjustment.

The Mazda CX-9 backs that up by being quiet in the cabin as well. There’s not too much noise of any type that seeps in.

Being the bigger car it has more luggage capacity with all three rows in place, offering 230 litres. Fold row three and it grows to 810 litres. The CX-8 offers 209 litres and 741 litres, which is still pretty good. The 9 also has more elbow room across the cabin.

However, the 8 has a practical underfloor bin the 9 misses out on and thanks to flat-folding middle-row seats the 8 also ends up having 1727 litres of luggage space versus the CX-9’s 1641 litres when row two is dropped.

As always with Mazda, a little ride quality is sacrificed for a flatter handling stance. It’s more noticeable in the CX-8, which develops a bit of bump-thump and intrusion at lower speeds. Its steering is also heavier at city speeds, requiring a fair old heave sometimes. It also offers less feel than the 9.

The CX-9, which has recently had its suspension tweaked as part of an MY19 update rolls more in corners. So it feels a tad more ponderous while offering a better ride. It’s a worthy trade-off. Its extra width adds to the feeling it’s less nimble and makes it harder to place in tight parking spots.

The CX-8 is the noisier car of the two, but by Mazda’s traditional standards it’s hardly raucous. There is some tyre rumble and diesel clatter, but it’s all acceptable.

For our Flinders Ranges sojourn we elected to take two full-size spare tyres because these two only come standard with space-saver spares, which simply aren’t appropriate for such adventures.

Both cars are control-heavy around the dashboard and steering wheel. The latest Mazda3 shows how minimalism can work far better.

Braked towing claims are 2000kg for each, which sounds realistic, but won’t appeal to the grey nomads.

So, we’ve saved the fuel consumption figures till last. The Mazda CX-8 averaged 7.1L/100km for our tour from Adelaide, up to the Flinders Ranges and back again. The CX-9 averaged 10.1L/100km.

As both cars have a 74-litre fuel tank you’re going to get further between refuels in the CX-8, paying a little more for it at the bowser and pumping less CO2 into the atmosphere.

Health-affecting particulates? Well, that’s another story.

For some people the CX-8’s drivetrain efficiency most definitely makes it the pick out of these two. But if your view is more holistic then the CX-9 has some terrific virtues. It’s more spacious, quieter and has a more premium feel to it.

I’d drive either home to my family happy with my choice. But I’d probably feel a little but more special in the CX-9.

How much does the 2019 Mazda CX-8 Asaki AWD cost?
Price: $62,590 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder
Output: 140kW/450Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 159g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP (2018)

How much does the 2019 Mazda CX-9 GTAWD cost?
Price: $64,620 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder
Output: 170kW/420Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 206g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP (2016)