Add CategoryA diesel-powered seven-seat Mazda SUV will land in Australia in the second half of this year to give the company an oil-burning alternative to the likes of the Skoda Kodiaq, Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento.
Mazda Australia today confirmed the high-spec CX-8 will join the range, positioned between the CX-5 and CX-9.
The CX-8 is 129mm narrower and 175mm shorter than a CX-9 but shares the same wheelbase at 2930mm. Boot space is 239 litres with the third row seats up, expanding to 572 litres when the back pews are folded flat.
Mazda says the smaller dimensions endow better manoeuvrability without sacrificing the flexibility of a seven-seat layout.
Prices have yet to be announced but, given diesels are more expensive than petrol, expect the CX-8 to align with or cost more than the CX-9, depending on final specification.
Also expect the CX-8 to continue Mazda’s push into “mainstream prestige” with the likes of nappa leather and wood panel inserts in the top versions.
The CX-8 is powered by a 140kW/450Nm 2.2-litre turbodiesel matched to a six-speed automatic transmission.
Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi says the CX-8 will meet demand for seven-seat diesel SUV’s.
“More and more, Australians are opting for larger SUVs to suit the demands of their busy lives; the CX-8 is the perfect fit for those who need the versatility of seven seats and the economy that diesel affords,” Bhindi says.
Australia has yet to confirm specifications for the CX-8 range but Japanese models are sold in three grades with front or all-wheel-drive.