Enhanced look, more tech and two new variants for 2023 – but pricing has increased a little
The facelifted 2023 Mazda CX-8 will arrive in Australia next month.
Snapshot
- 2023 Mazda CX-8 pricing and features
- Updated large SUV receives additional standard equipment, two new grades, and more tech
- Prices rises between $1400 and $1450; due in March
Following several minor revisions since the CX-8 arrived in 2018, the popular large SUV has received its first significant change, as part of its mid-life update.
As reported, it benefits from a new look derived from its smaller CX-5 twin, with a revised front fascia and headlights – but with a ‘block mesh’ pattern grille similar to the CX-60.
At the rear, the L-shaped tail-lights are similar to the latest CX-5, while the rear bumper also has a cleaner look. The chrome bar running across the tailgate remains, but it no longer flows into the lights.
For model-year 2023, the CX-8 lineup features two new variants – Touring Active and GT SP – which replace the Touring diesel, Touring SP and GT grades.
As with the CX-5, the Touring Active includes a more-rugged look inside and out, while the GT SP continues the blacked-out styling theme of the now-axed Touring SP, in combination with the additional equipment of the GT.
Each variant is now fitted with a 10.25-inch Mazda Connect infotainment system, a 7-inch semi-digital instrument cluster (previously exclusive to the Asaki and Asaki LE), wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and front USB-C ports.
Mazda notes Android Auto – wired or wireless – is temporarily unavailable for CX-8s produced between January and June 2023. A no-cost dealer retrofit is expected in July.
Other changes include; Mazda’s new drive mode selector, Mi Drive, with normal and off-road modes for all-wheel-drive variants; a feature allowing drivers to open the windows from the key fob – but not close it remotely – and traffic jam assist for the GT SP, Asaki and Asaki LE.
In addition, Mazda has improved the CX-8’s noise, vibration and harshness for greater comfort inside the cabin, while the suspension has been tweaked to improve body control on rough roads.
However, due to the ongoing semiconductor chip shortage, Mazda has removed the hands-free kick function for the CX-8’s electric tailgate. This feature was also deleted from the CX-5 due to supply constraints in mid-2022.
First launched in 2017, the CX-8 was initially a Japanese-market exclusive as a stretched CX-5 on the same 2930-millimetre wheelbase as the larger CX-9 sold in Australia and North America.
However, demand for a Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe competitor led to its local launch in 2018 as a diesel-only model. The naturally-aspirated petrol joined the range in 2020, while a six-seat model with second-row captain’s chairs was added a year later.
2023 Mazda CX-8 pricing
Prices exclude on-road costs.
| Model | Pricing | Change |
|---|---|---|
| G25 Sport FWD | $42,060 | up $1450 |
| G25 Touring FWD | $48,960 | up $1450 |
| D35 Sport AWD | $49,060 | up $1450 |
| D35 Touring Active AWD | $56,910 | new (up $2400 vs. Touring diesel) |
| G25 GT SP FWD | $58,560 | new (up $1550 vs. GT) |
| G25 Asaki FWD | $61,810 | up $1400 |
| D35 GT SP AWD | $65,560 | new (up $1550 vs. GT) |
| D35 Asaki AWD | $68,810 | up $1400 |
| D35 Asaki LE AWD | $71,410 | up $1400 |
2023 Mazda CX-8 features
Sport
| 10.25-inch Mazda Connect infotainment system (new) | LED headlights and tail-lights |
| Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (new) | Satellite navigation |
| 7-inch semi-digital instrument cluster (new) | Black cloth upholstery |
| Front USB-C ports (new, x2) | Leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shifter |
| Key fob remote window operation (new) | Three-zone climate control |
| Mi-Drive off-road mode (new, AWD only) | Auto-dimming rear-view mirror |
| 17-inch alloy wheels (new design) | Heated and auto power-folding side mirrors |
| Six-speaker audio system | Push-button start |
| DAB+ digital radio | Rear parking sensors |
| Head-up display | Tyre pressure monitoring. |
Touring
| In addition to Sport | |
|---|---|
| Keyless entry | Six-way power-adjustable passenger seat |
| Front parking sensors | Rear USB-A charge ports (x2) |
| Black leather upholstery | One touch walk-in switch |
| Heated front seats | Paddle shifters. |
| Eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat | |
Touring Active
| In addition to Touring | |
|---|---|
| 19-inch alloy wheels (machined black) | 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with two-position memory |
| Gloss-black side mirrors | Heated second-row outer seats |
| Chrome side garnish | Adaptive front lighting system |
| Revera stone leather-accented/cloth upholstery | LED daytime running lamps. |
GT SP
| In addition to Touring Active | |
|---|---|
| 19-inch alloy wheels (gloss black) | Power-sliding glass sunroof |
| Gloss black exterior trim | Electric tailgate |
| Traffic jam assist | Third-row USB-A charge ports (x2) |
| 10-speaker Bose audio system | Rear door window sunshade |
| Wireless phone charger | LED interior lightning. |
| Black or burgundy red leather upholstery | |
Asaki
| In addition to GT SP | |
|---|---|
| Black quilted Nappa leather upholstery (new, replaces chroma brown) | Large diameter tailpipe |
| Colour-matched body cladding (new) | 360-degree camera system |
| 19-inch alloy wheels (bright-finish) | Frameless rear-view mirror |
| Body-coloured side mirrors | Unique overhead console |
| Bright metallic front grille | Box-stitched steering wheel |
| Ventilated front seats | LED interior ambient lighting (white) |
| Heated steering wheel | LED glove box illumination |
| Adaptive headlights | Chrome-plated power seat knobs. |
| Chrome side garnish | |
Asaki LE
| In addition to Asaki | |
|---|---|
| Second-row captain’s chairs with power adjustment | Optional pure white quilted Nappa leather upholstery. |
| Ventilated second-row seats | |
Colours
| Rhodium white (new) | Platinum quartz |
| Jet black | Machine grey |
| Deep crystal blue | Polymetal grey |
| Titanium flash | Soul red crystal. |
Premium paint incurs a $795 charge.
Engine, drivetrain, and fuel economy
Like the current CX-8, engine options comprise a naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre petrol and a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel.
The naturally-aspirated ‘G25’ 2.5-litre petrol engine – standard on all CX-8 variants, excluding Touring Active and Asaki LE – produces 140kW and 252Nm, with power exclusively sent to the front wheels.
The twin-turbocharged ‘D35’ 2.2-litre ‘D35’ turbo-diesel produces 140kW and 450Nm, with an intelligent all-wheel drive system.
It is optional for the Sport, Touring, GT SP and Asaki, and standard-fit for the Touring Active and Asaki LE.
A six-speed automatic transmission is standard-fit across the CX-8 range.
| 2023 Mazda CX-8 combined fuel economy | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2.5-litre petrol FWD | 8.1L/100km | 187g/km |
| 2.2-litre turbo-diesel AWD | 6.0L/100km | 158g/km |
Safety
The entire Mazda CX-8 range is covered by a five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on testing conducted in 2018.
It received a score of 96 per cent for adult occupant protection, 87 per cent for child occupant protection, 72 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and 73 per cent for safety assist.
Six airbags (dual front, side and curtain) feature across the lineup, including coverage for third-row passengers.
| 2023 Mazda CX-8 active safety features | |
|---|---|
| Autonomous emergency braking (vehicle, pedestrian, cyclist, reverse) | Adaptive cruise control |
| Lane-keep assist | High-beam assist |
| Lane departure warning | Traffic sign recognition |
| Blind-spot alert | Intelligent speed limit assist. |
| Rear-cross traffic alert | |
Dimensions
The Mazda CX-8 has a wheelbase of 2930 millimetres, and is 4900mm long, 1840mm wide and 1720-1725mm tall.
2023 Mazda CX-8 boot space
The 2023 Mazda CX-8 has a claimed 775-litre boot capacity.
This is reduced to 209L with the third row up, with an additional 33 litres of underfloor storage available.
For additional space, the second row can be folded, except for the Asaki LE due to its captain’s chairs.
Warranty and servicing
As per the wider Mazda range, the CX-8 is covered by the brand’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, and a five-year roadside assistance program.
The service schedule for petrol CX-8 variants is now 12 months or 15,000km, whichever occurs first. The diesel has a lower 12-month or 10,000km interval, as before.
Mazda offers capped-price servicing for the CX-8, covering the first five services.