Enjoy the ride in comfort
Mazda has created its own version of Frankenstein’s monster, taking the best of its topselling CX5 and CX9 models to create the CX8. But, as David Thomson, reports, there is nothing monstrous about its latest offering.
WHEN we run out of odd numbers, let’s try the even ones.
That seems to be Mazda’s approach as it seeks to meet global demand for its SUVs. With the CX3, CX5 and CX9 already strongselling, and CX7 beenandgone, what name would be appropriate for a new sports utility that slots in below the CX9?
Enter the Mazda CX8, available here in a threemodel lineup comprising the frontwheel drive GSX at $53,495, the allwheel drive GSX for $55,995, and a flagship allwheel drive Limited (as tested) at $62,495.
From front and forward threequarter angles, the CX8’s visual similarity to a CX5 is striking, but no surprise: the two vehicles use the same exterior panels from the Bpillar (that’s the one just behind the driver) forward. There’s familiarity under the bonnet, too: the CX8 deploys the same 140kW/ 450Nm 2.2 litre twinturbo Mazda SKYACTIVD engine and sixspeed automatic transmission combination as the diesel CX5.
Behind that BPillar the stretch that takes the CX8 out 4900mm — 400mm longer than its lowernumbered siblings — has been neatly executed, and the CX8 gets a tail all of its own. It’s still 175mm shorter than a CX9, and a little narrower and lower.
The cabin is a virtual CX5 twin, with the same cleanlined dash, centre console, multifunction steering wheel, colour touchscreen, instrumentation and controls. But the splitlidded centre console/arm rest that separates the front seats comes from the CX9.
The second row of seats replicates the excellent middle row of the CX9, although narrower. Accommodating two in comfort or three with a bit of a squeeze, they are split 60:40, have a folddown centre armrest, seat heaters and are mounted on rails for foreaft adjustment.
Although Mazda bills the CX8 as ‘‘fiveplustwo’’ rather than a full sevenseater, the two third row seats are more generous than this billing suggests. Rising easily out of the boot floor, they should accommodate averagesized Kiwi kids through to their early or midteens, at which point headroom may become a factor.
When the rear seats are raised there is still a reasonable 209 litres of luggage capacity. That expands to 742 litres in fiveseater mode, which is massively more than the CX5’s 455 litres, and increases to over 1700 litres when the middle seats are folded flat.
Mazda has forged a reputation at the premium end of the mainstream Japanese brands over recent years, and the CX8 reflects this in the quality of interior materials, equipment levels, fit and finish.
The GSX features a headup display, trizone climate control, internet radio integration, and satellite navigation as standard.
Its impressive active safety package includes radar cruise control, lane departure and lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert, as well as automatic emergency braking.
The Limited augments this safety package with adaptive LED headlights, a more advanced smart braking system, and a driver attention alert system. Its additional creature comforts and convenience features include a premium Bose sound system, LED running lights and tail lamps, a poweroperated tailgate, rear window privacy glass and sunshades, poweroperated front seats, and heaters for the front and middle seats as well as steering wheel. It also comes with nappa leather rather than cloth trim, and genuine woodgrain door and dash inserts.
My time behind the wheel of the CX8 was unusually long, taking in part of Coastal Otago and South Westland, and traversing key points in Central Otago, on tarmac and gravel.
The CX8’s 200mm of ground clearance is adequate for easier offroad trails. However, faced with damp conditions, and the combination of roadfocused tyres, a fully automated fourwheeldrive system and a spacesaver spare, some discretion was required. A speedy run down the gravel access road from the Snow Farm to Cardrona was the non tarmac driving highlight of the test, followed by gentle motoring on unmetalled trails around Bendigo.
As a vehicle for long highway trips, the CX8 counts the comfort of its front seats and driving position as key assets, along with decent mechanical refinement and very good ride quality. Effortless cruising is facilitated by that torqueladen engine, which operates very effectively with the car’s automatic transmission.
Economy, at 7.8l/100km on test and 6.0l/100km on the standard cycle, is good, too.
Through the tarmac twists and turns of the Haast Pass, the test vehicle was a tidy handler, with decent turnin and good resistance to understeer. Mazda’s very clever GVectoring Control system plays an important role in giving the CX8 benign (and at times rewarding) handling.
Because it is taller and heavier than the CX5, body roll is more obvious. In this respect, the CX8 feels more like a CX9. Road noise is generally well suppressed, but can become a minor irritant on coarsechipped surfaces.
Around town, the CX8 is an easy enough drive, but its 11.6m turning circle is not that tight, and its rearview camera is an essential companion when reversing.
All in all, the new CX8 has plenty to commend it, as a vehicle that genuinely combines most of the best features that sit either side of it in Mazda’s burgeoning sports utility range.