Mazda teases Japan-only CX-8 SUV

MAZDA has partially revealed its Japan-only CX-8 SUV, which will be sold in six- or seven-seat guise when it arrives in Mazda’s home market later this year.

The company released a single profile shot of the CX-8, showing a similar design to its CX-9 sibling, save for a boxier cabin and lower bonnet that is more reminiscent of Mazda’s sedan range.

Mazda has incorporated its Kodo design language into the look of the CX-8, with a headlight and tail-light design immediately recognisable from the Hiroshima-based brand’s stable.

Serving as the flagship SUV for Mazda in its native country given the absence of the CX-9, the CX-8 will be offered solely with Mazda’s 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, which makes 129kW/420Nm under the bonnet of the Mazda6 sedan and CX-5 mid-size SUV.

While at this stage the CX-8 is not destined to leave the Land of the Rising Sun, Mazda Australia public relations coordinator Kathleen McMahon told GoAuto that if it were to be exported, Mazda Australia would certainly consider bringing it here.

As its nomenclature would suggest, the CX-8 is slightly smaller than the CX-9, measuring 4900mm long, 1840mm wide and 1730mm high, compared to the 5075mm/1969mm/1747mm CX-9. Both have a 2930mm wheelbase.

Despite being smaller than the CX-9, Mazda claims that the CX-8 can comfortably seat adult occupants in the third row.

The CX-8 is designed to act as a replacement for the Mazda5/Premacy MPV, which has since been discontinued in the US and Japan, with the SUV body style offering a more up-to-date alternative to transporting more than five people.

Speaking earlier in the year, Mazda representative director, president and CEO Masamichi Kogai said the CX-8 would be an attractive option for those looking for more than just transportation for multiple people.

“Our latest offering, the CX-8 is a new crossover SUV for people who appreciate quality and need a car that seats more than five,” he said.

“It has the looks, performance and high-end feel customers expect from a Mazda, and even adults can sit comfortably in the third row. Mazda aims to create a strong emotional connection with customers, and we will achieve this by continually advancing our line-up to offer all customers our unique combination of driving pleasure and outstanding environmental and safety performance.”