I will admit that I didn’t see the point of the Mazda CX-8 when it was first launched. Yes, us Pinoys love our three-row vehicles, but Mazda isn’t exactly the first brand that comes to mind when it comes to these.
When the CX-90 came out a few years after the CX-8, I thought, well, that’s it, the latter is entirely pointless. If you’re going to get a three-row SUV, might as well go all out, right?
At the same time, the car it’s based on, the CX-5, is one of the best in its class. Adding a couple of inches at the back and some extra seats is, for me at least, the last thing it needed. Every time I saw one on the road, I couldn’t help but wonder why that person bought it.
But, as fate would have it, I was handed the keys of the top spec AWD Exclusive recently. Oh well, I might as well find out if the CX-8 was still relevant or, at the very least, made sense.
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Exterior
‘It’s the CX-5L’ my friends and I joked. To put it bluntly, it literally is a lengthened version of the CX-5, and the rear doors make it oh so obvious. Yes, the front end is straight out of its shorter sibling, but it gets different sheetmetal from the center onwards.
The stretched rear doors skews the proportions of the car, but it doesn’t ruin the overall look. I will, however, admit that I prefer the rear end treatment of the CX-8 over the CX-5. In my eyes at least, it looks more grown up and more mature with those longer tail lights.
Oh, and here’s a little fun fact for you. Because the CX-90 is, er, a little too large for Japan, the CX-8 serves as the flagship SUV of Mazda in its home market. That should lend it some enthusiast kudos, right?
Interior
The CX-8 came out during the time Mazda was transitioning from mainstream automaker to premium segment contenders. As a result, you do get the rich-feeling touches from a more modern Mazda, but there are also a few materials that don’t feel expensive. Not a total dealbreaker, though, as the parts where your hands often go have good textures.
The dashboard is, you guessed it, straight from the CX-5 and that’s no bad thing. It’s a couple of years old already, but it still looks fresh and contemporary as far as I’m concerned. Interacting with the controls is simple and straightforward, just as one expects from a brand that’s driver focused. No eccentric ergonomics. No odd quirks that require a PhD in industrial design.
Of course, the reason why anyone would even consider the CX-8 is the extra space courtesy of the stretched body. You won’t feel much of a difference when you’re seated in front, but its benefit is most felt in the second row. There is actual stretch out room back there, while the supple captain chairs make it feel cozier. It does lose out on practicality points as it lacks a middle seat, but the comfort those individual seats provide are a good trade-off.
But, what about the third-row, you ask? It’s…actually not too bad. Again, those seats are best reserved for children and the, um, vertically challenged, but it’s alright for the most part. If anything, it’s about the same as larger, bulkier pickup-based SUVs.
As for space, it’s what one expects with the third-row propped up. There’s just about enough for small bags. Thankfully, the false floor frees up more vertical space to allow loading of taller items and eke out a few more liters of room. With those seats folded down, it’s absolutely cavernous, making you think if you need a bigger vehicle. If you want numbers, it's up to 242 liters with the third row up and 775 liters behind the second row.
Engine performance
Under the hood of the CX-8 is a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine with SkyActiv-G technology. It’s essentially the same one found in the CX-5 AWD Sport and the Mazda 6. That engine makes 188hp and 252Nm of torque and it’s paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.
It’s adequate, to say the least, as the CX-8 carries about 200kg more than the equivalent CX-5. That’s not to say it’s underpowered, but I drove it both unladen and with six on-board plus cargo. It’s fine on most days but the engine does start becoming more vocal when the car is loaded up. It’s not struggling, mind you, but that 2.5-liter engine does remind the driver that it’s carrying a lot of weight.
Thankfully, there are no complaints about its six-speed automatic. It’s smooth, seamless, and slick in operation. That said, it would be nice to have the 2.5-liter turbo or 2.2-liter turbodiesel option for it. However, its factory claimed 0-100kph time of under ten seconds still means it’s quicker than most truck-based midsize SUVs.
As for fuel efficiency, well, it’s a fairly large engine so don’t expect mind-blowing economy. In heavy traffic, the CX-8 returned 5.7 km/L, but that was with both empty and fully laden. In more reasonable traffic conditions, you’ll be happy to get 7.1 km/L and, if traffic is light, 10-11km/L is possible.
Ride and handling
I’m trying not to get ahead of myself here but it’s a Mazda. Of course it’ll drive and ride well. If the CX-5 is for enthusiasts who reluctantly need a crossover, the CX-8 is for the same group of people who reluctantly need a three-row vehicle.
A car like this has no right to stop and steer this well, and yet it does. The weighty steering gives more than enough feel and feedback, and there is some fun to be had around the bends. It’s not as sharp as its shorter sibling, but considering what it is, the CX-8 offers wonderful dynamics.
It doesn’t come at the expense of comfort, either. The best way to describe the ride is supple. The longer wheelbase certainly helps in suppressing road imperfections, and not one did it ever feel bouncy or lumpy, with or without passengers. The suspension does a great job of staying level, loaded or not. What’s even more surprising is the fact that it doesn’t have self-leveling suspension. Per the usual, Mazda tuned the chassis just right.
Extra features
Advanced driver assist systems are the norm in the CX-8’s price range, so it comes as no surprise that it has it. Dubbed I-Activsense, it comes with adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking for the front and rear, lane departure and lane keep assist, and rear-cross traffic alert.
The best part is, it’s not too intrusive, especially the rear emergency braking. The 360-degree camera is helpful, so too is the head-up display. It’s also loaded to the brim with airbags. Six of them to be exact.
Power seats are standard, of course, while the captain chairs at the back have a neat center console that houses more cupholders and additional USB ports. Speaking of ports, it extends all the way to the third row. No need to fight with other passengers for a charge.
Moving to the infotainment system, the CX-8 still uses the previous software. That means a small screen with rather low-res graphics and camera display. That’s a bit of a shame as other markets benefit from a larger screen and the latest system. Still, at least it’s easy to use and comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Plus, the Bose sound system should please most folks.
Verdict
As a vehicle, the Mazda CX-8 is hugely competent. Sure, it’s not perfect with its rather backdated infotainment system, the fuel consumption in severe traffic (but then again, everything sucks fuel in bad traffic), and ‘just right’ power, but it has so many merits that one should consider this before going for that truck-based SUV. The Mazda CX-8 in top-spec form retails for P2,530,000. One can argue that, for the same price, they can get a rugged truck-based midsize SUV with four-wheel drive.
The thing is, the Mazda is far more comfortable than those will ever be. The drive is more car-like and its size makes it more maneuverable in tight situations. It’s not like it’s lacking in space, either, having about the same room in the third row as pickup platform vehicles.
With that, it seems that I have found the point of the CX-8. Not everyone needs the bulk of a midsize SUV. Sure, they drive better than ever, but if it’s a car-like experience you’re after, nothing beats a unibody chassis. It may be ‘downgrade’ in terms of visual size, but the CX-8 is an upgrade when it comes to drivability, comfort, and maneuverability.
Against the larger CX-90, the CX-8 can still hold its head up high. Yes, the CX-90 is larger, more luxurious, and has more presence, but it's also over a million pesos more than the CX-8. Think of this then as a junior CX-90.
Now, I’m not telling you, dear reader, to not buy that truck-based SUV. But before you get one, give the CX-8 a shot first. It might just be more than enough car for you. And if you’re concerned about running costs, Mazda’s five-year free service plan should sweeten the deal.
SPECS: 2024 Mazda CX-8 AWD Exclusive
Price: P2,530,000
Engine: 2.5-liter I-4
Power: 188hp
Torque: 252Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Layout: AWD
Seating: 6
Score: 9/10
