Seven-seat Mazda CX-8 pricing leaks ahead of launch

PRICING and specification for the first Mazda CX-8 has been obtained by GoAuto prior to the showroom arrival of the seven-seat large SUV in the second half of this year.

Citing documents distributed to dealers, the CX-8 is set to be offered in two grades, dubbed Evolve and Akina, with the former available in front- and all-wheel-drive forms while the latter will only come with all-wheel drive.

As such, the Evolve FWD is set to open the line-up from $48,294, rising to $52,462 for the Evolve AWD, while the flagship Akina AWD will cost $68,092. All quoted prices are driveaway, based on the Melbourne metro area.

Comparatively, the CX-8’s big brother, the petrol-powered CX-9, ranges from $43,890 for the entry-level Sport FWD to $64,790 for the top-spec Azami AWD, with all of its prices before on-road costs.

However, according to Mazda Australia’s website, the CX-9 Azami AWD’s driveaway pricing reaches to $71,492 – the most expensive offering in the Japanese brand’s line-up – making the CX-8 Akina AWD $3400 cheaper.

When it arrives, the CX-8 will go toe to toe with other diesel-powered seven-seat contenders, including the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento.

Standard equipment in all CX-8 variants will include dusk-sensing LED headlights, power-folding side mirrors, rain-sensing windshield wipers and roof rails.

Inside, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, three-zone climate control, second-row USB connectivity, a head-up display, a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, satellite navigation, digital radio, digital radio and Bluetooth connectivity are set to feature.

Advanced driver-assist safety technologies will extend to forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, lane departure warning, steering assist, blind-spot monitoring, high beam assist, traffic sign recognition, driver attention alert, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera.

Additionally, the Evolve grade is also set to include 17-inch alloy wheels, black cloth upholstery and a six-speaker sound system, while the Akina variant will feature 19-inch alloy wheels, brown or white Nappa leather upholstery and a 249W 10-speaker Bose sound system.

The Akina will further add adaptive LED headlights, LED foglights, a power tailgate, a heated steering wheel, second-row sunshades, a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat with memory functionality, a six-way power-adjustable passenger seat, first- and second-row heated seats, wood trim, keyless entry, front parking sensors and 360-degree cameras.

Optional metallic and mica paint colours are set to attract a $300 premium.

As previously reported, the CX-8 is powered by a 2.2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine that produces 140kW of power and 450Nm of torque.

A six-speed automatic transmission with torque convertor is the sole option, while 2000kg of braked towing capacity will be available.

Claimed fuel consumption on the combined cycle test is 5.7 litres per 100 kilometres for the Evolve FWD, while the all-wheel-drive variants have been tested at 6.0L/100km.

Built in Japan, the CX-8 measures 4900mm long, 1840mm wide and 1730mm tall, while the American-built CX-9 checks in at 175mm longer, 129mm wider and 17mm taller. Both models have a 2930mm wheelbase.

When announcing the decision to offer the CX-8, Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi stressed that the new model would answer Australia’s call for seven-seat diesel SUVs.

“More and more, Australians are opting for larger SUVs to suit the demands of their busy lives,” he said.

“The brand-new Mazda CX-8 diesel is the perfect fit for those who need the versatility of seven seats and the economy that diesel affords.”

CX-9 sales surged last year, with 9012 examples sold to the end of 2017, representing a whopping 75.9 per cent increase over the 5123 deliveries made in 2016.

This effort placed the Mazda fifth in the sub-$70,000 large-SUV segment last year, trailing the Toyota Prado (15,982 units) and Kluger (12,509), Subaru Outback (11,340) and Holden Captiva (9588).

2018 Mazda CX-8 driveaway pricing

Evolve FWD (a)	$48,294
Evolve AWD (a)	$52,462
Akina AWD (a)	$68,092