Mazda CX-8 (2018-2023)
18 reviews
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Mazda for life! – After owning a cx5 for 9 years, we added the cx8 to our family & couldn’t be happier. Both quick trips & long road trips are comfortable & reliable. Not a fan of the adjusting cruise control but that’s just personal preference. Very safe & good looking car Show details
Garbage – We purchased brand new car last year in 2022, vehicle is terrible with fuel economy an is no where close to the hat manufacturer claims. When this issue was raised with the dealer ( not the one we purchased from ) we were advised that we will have to pay $168 per hour to get the vehicle checked as they know there is nothing wrong with it. We… Read more
were not happy with the what dealer told us and decided to contact Mazda Australia and I was surprised that simply refused by commenting that we have purchased the car from dealer and Mazda Australia never delivered that car, it was shocking to have such response from the manufacturer and denied that they have not supplied the vehicle and are not liable to resolve any complaint.
STAY AWAY FROM ANY MAZDA
Beware of the Infotainment system! – I recently rented a 2023 CX8 to drive around Sydney for the first time but the infotainment system was so bad it prompted me to write this review to warn others. There are serious glitches within the system which will make depending on the sat nav to drive around a city for the first time very frustrating. I thought I could solve this issue by… Read more
switching to Android Auto however that was also an extremely troublesome process and there were numerous glitches with that as well. I had to find ways online to reset the system and I was never able to fully resolve the numerous issues in the 8 days I had the car.
My wife drives a Mazda 3 and whenever I use the sat nat in that car, it takes me on the strangest routes to destination e.g. Going straight down a freeway, it will advise to turn off it even though you're supposed to continue on the freeway for another 20 kms.
My colleague recently purchased a CX8 and was asking me for help/complaining about the infotainment system and I initially blamed it on user error however after experiencing it for myself, it is definitely not a user issue. The car itself is fine to drive however these really negative experiences with the infotainment system would be enough to dissuade me from ever purchasing a Mazda.
22.02.2025 - Update
The infotainment screen on the Mazda 3 has now malfunctioned altogether and the screen needs to be replaced at a cost of $650 at Mazda. It is a 2017 model and as a comparison, the screen on my 2011 Toyota still works flawlessly. Please check the screen thoroughly to make sure it works and google Mazda ghost touch for further information.
- +7
Comfortable and great to drive...but it has strong competition – The CX-8 is the traditional seven-seater competitor, however it’s possibly one of the best options you can choose against key rivals like the Toyota Kluger and the Kia Sorento. It’s more comfortable and refined than the Kia Sorento, but I think it falls short of beating the leader of the seven-seater segment. Mazda’s premium construction of the… Read more
CX-8 makes it feel more than a budget-friendly SUV option. The build quality of the doors, leather, stitching, and technology, as well as the noticeable absence of squeaks and rattles all point towards this being built with a high degree of care. This is the top trim CX-8 I’m rocking here, so there are going to be plenty more premium materials and a bigger infotainment screen.
Oh, and the button feel is next level. The volume knobs, infotainment dial and climate controls are all extremely premium in their operation.
The CX-8 range starts from $44,984 drive-away, but this is range topping ‘Asaki’ trim (not to be mistaken for the Japanese beer). Our tester was priced from $73,072 drive-away.
For that amount, some highlight features include a premium leather interior, upgraded parking cameras, heated/cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, rear heated seats, rear climate controls, a large infotainment screen, bigger alloy wheels and a set of BOSE speakers.
You could consider a Toyota Kluger Hybrid, Kia Sorento GT-Line or even a Skoda Kodiaq RS for that price.
The CX-8 is covered by a 5 year/unlimited kilometre warranty. Services occur either every 12 months or 10,000km, and are capped for the first five services. Total servicing costs amount to $1925 under the capped price service program.
Adding to the premium feel of the CX-8 was the sound insulation and BOSE audio system. Closing those doors and windows allowed the cabin to be reduced to silence with a hint of ambient road noise emanating from outside the car.
I was already deeply impressed by the braking tune on the Mazda MX-30 Electric, so I was keen to see if the same finesse had been applied to the CX-8. To my surprise, it had.
This ‘finesse’ is the way in which the car will roll to a stop without disturbing the occupants inside. Meaning, the brake allows you to control the car with buttery smooth precision, rather than shocking everyone and alerting them that you’re decelerating.
This CX-8 is powered by the optional 2.2L turbo-diesel four cylinder powerplant. This motor pushes out 140kW and 450Nm via a 6-speed automatic through to all four wheels, thanks to the diesel being fitted with an AWD system.
I found the CX-8 to rapidly produce power and allow for a swift yet elegant acceleration from the traffic lights. A healthy amount of torque was enough to enjoy for effortless acceleration and made carrying 5 adults in the car a non-event.
Even in heavy rain and dirt, the CX-8 was perfectly stable and planted thanks to that AWD system.
Surprisingly, Mazda’s gearbox is limited to 6 gears, unlike competitors who offer the likes of 7 speeds or even 9 speeds!
Nonetheless, the CX-8 managed to sling through the gears without interrupting the ride.
Part of my conclusion is that the CX-8 is more refined than its competition. Despite being fitted with 19-inch alloy wheels, this massive SUV was able to almost hover above the pavement.
It’s so smooth that a sleeping baby wouldn’t know that you just cruised over a pothole.
he seating position, steering feel and rigidity in twists and turns means you’re able to maintain a fluid flow rather than having to constantly adjust your speed. It’s a bit of fun to drive too; you can feel a little bit of MX-5 through the chassis. Although, it’s still a large SUV, and it’s hard to mask all that weight compared to a smaller SUV.
Claimed fuel consumption is 6.0L per 100km. Around town, I averaged around 9-10L per 100km and out on the highway I saw figures as low as 6.5L per 100km.
The stitching on the dash highlights the width of this SUV, and is flanked by a large 10.25-inch centre infotainment screen and carefully designed climate vents.
It’s worth noting that despite the centre screen lacking touch inputs, the UI and UX of this infotainment was certainly easy to master and calming to interact with.
The centre console area around the gear selector is starting to look a little aged, and I’m not a massive fan of the piano black plastics that were already showing signs of wear.
The CX-8 misses out on joining the 2000L club, and offers just over 1740L with all the seats folded flat.
With the third row folded (the most common set-up), you’ll have access to 775L of boot space. It’s a logical family option, thanks to the wide and flat boot space and automatic tailgate.
Mazda’s front seats are a great place to spend hours and hours when out on the road. The large footwells and plush seats mean you’re unlikely to get a sore back.
Second row comfort is supreme too. Access to heated rear seats and climate controls help elevate your riding experience. With window blinds and reclining seats, it’s also a great place to catch up on some sleep. Not to mention, the large rear doors make ingress and egress almost effortless.
Third row comfort is fine for adults and a lot better than some other 7-seaters. Although, I wouldn’t recommend extended seat time back here for taller adults.
Whether it’s adjusting the climate controls or driving through the Alpine Way through to Thredbo, the CX-8 will do that with Lexus-like refinement.
However, you should check out the Kia Sorento as a direct rival, which offers a slightly larger second and third row and more boot space. It’s packed full of similar features, and might appeal to you more than the CX-8.
To me, the CX-8 feels a little more finessed in its execution from its design both inside and out, and in the engineering behind its handling and driving experience. However, it can’t finesse more space in the second row like the Kia Sorento can.
*Disclaimer - I work for ProductReview as their independent car and motorbike expert. I borrow new cars and motorbikes from manufacturers and owners to review. I am not paid or incentivised by these brands to post reviews. I write and create content to provide insight and information about any new or used vehicle I can get my hands on.
Perfect city car with spices of a SUV – I think it's the best large SUV car for city with a lot of safety options. The only weakness is the awkward infotainment system which needs overhaul! I guess CV joints would be a problem in the long run. Show details
Please be careful what you see is not what you get – I-stop is not working and asked the service person in my first service and he his telling lot of stories and my fuel consumption is horrible
Safe 7 seater – Great family car with plenty of room across the width, length and boot without the car being too wide or long to maneuver. Excellent amount of storage space to go away for the weekend and pack in everything you need for the kids and be comfortable to enjoy the drive and safe. Mazda include lots of safety from airbags to the speed display on the… Read more
windscreen. Rear climate control and individualised climate control in the front are some advantages too!
Perfect family car if you don’t mind low pick up – Performance: I have the petrol version, i can feel the engine is over worked whenever I drive up hill and the pick up is little less. But good enough once you get used to it. Comfort: This is where the car really shines, even an adult can sit in the third row comfortably. Getting into the third row is little difficult but can totally can live… Read more
with it. Front row and 2nd ample amount of space and comfortable seats. Really good.
Looks: Looks are subjective, I have red Mazda, I totally love how it looks.
Driving comfort: Very smooth and feels very comfortable to drive in the city and highways. Very easy to park as well.
Verdict: If you need 7 seats occasionally and don’t mind little less pick up - then this is the car for you. In this segment this is at the top compared to other cars in terms of quality and you feel good sitting inside this car. If you want pick up to be better, consider diesel version.
So far can't fault it – Excellent sales staff. Punchy Na (naturally aspirated) petrol engine!! Excellent price for what you get compared to other SUVs Comfortable in all seats 7 Excellent seats Rear climate control is invaluable Drives like a car not a large suv Use it daily as family car, easy to drive in heavy traffic, highway and hills driving. Show details
New CX 8 Touring SP ... a delight to drive – I was in the market for a new SUV and had narrowed down my short list to ten “possibles” I’d all but made up my mind on the very impressive Hyundai Santa Fe when I came to test drive the last vehicle on my list, the CX8. I really only went to see the Mazda so I could eliminate it from considerations. But once behind the wheel I was hooked. The… Read more
elegant yet functional layout of the cabin and controls ... the ride quality ... and the comfort were all exceptional. I’m 6’5” and legroom and headroom are real considerations for me. The CX 8 ticked all my boxes in this regard. Also outstanding was the comprehensive suite of safety features ... connectivity (Apple Car Play and Android Auto and the Sat Nav system) ... and other interior features like leather and suede seats ... memory driver’s seat ... excellent stereo ... fully adjustable steering column. The 2.2 litre Diesel engine is plenty powerful enough ... its quiet and its smooth and returns excellent fuel economy (for me around 5.6 l/100 kms on a country run). We keep seats 6 and 7 folded down so have tonnes of cargo space. We do a lot of touring throughout outback Queensland and while we tend not to go “off road” often and mainly stick to the blacktop we sometimes find ourselves on unmade gravel roads with their attendant potholes and rocks. The CX 8 takes it all in its stride while at the same time delivering a smooth comfortable and safe ride.
Worst car I’ve ever owned! – I have had multiple issues with my BRAND NEW (3months ownership) CX-8 both Mazda Wanneroo & Mazda Australia have no interest in fixing these issues. It is a risk to personal & public safety as the vehicle is unpredictable due to multiple safety system malfunctions (the car stopped dead in the middle of the freeway), issues with the transmission,… Read more
issues with the air-conditioning system so many rattles you would think you're in a car from 1940s. Mazda offered to buy the car back for $6,500.00 less than I paid for it which is unconscionable, BEFORE you purchase a Mazda check what the ACCC have to say in their proceedings in the Federal Court against Mazda (link at the bottom). I would also avoid buying a used car here too, shame really as [name removed] was really good just doesn't have reliable product to sell. Issues I have had so far: 1. SBS malfunction. 2. Smart City Brake Support Forward Malfunction. 3. Front radar sensor system malfunction. 4. Driver Attention Alert Malfunction. 5. Transmission Issues. 6. Air Conditioning Issues. 7. Faulty external temperature sensor. 8. Drivers side wing mirror shakes when windy or traveling at 100km/h. 9. Random emergency braking on a completely open road that almost caused an accident. 10. Constant rattling. 11. Missing paint / overspray. Link: https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/mazda-in-court-for-alleged-unconscionable-conduct-and-false-or-misleading-representations
Awesome but has its faults – Have owned for 10 months and done 9500kms It has had 2 oil changes and both rear pads and rotors replaced under warranty. It has also had infotainment system and rear speakers fixed under warranty. Is and amazing car when it's not in the shop. This is my 5th brand new mazda and the one I have had most trouble with. It's used daily and never goes offroad. Would still recommend but I feel I may have just been unlucky so far. Show details
Perfectly safe family car – It is very spacious 7 seater family car with lots of safety features. Driver can see in front of wind screen speed limit of the road, car’s own speed etc. it has nice music system, automatic breaking system, cruise control. Diesel engine. Show details
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Great value for money with all the features you can imagine – Great for family transport with a third row. Economical on Deisel, service costs are great value for money. This car is a great all round option, stylish yet full of features like Navigation, great sound system, mats, and comfortable seating for all passengers. Show details
Wow - love this car – Mazda cx8 has everything we wanted and more. Plenty of space for our 3 kids and friends when needed. Extremely fuel efficient - currently going a t 7l to 100km. Has all the newest tech, and love the screen on the dash that gives you all the info you need. A great car - i highly recommend Show details
Great SUV at nice price – It has been nearly a year since we bought this car & it has been wonderful experience until now. The car provides a LOT of extras, safety feature at quite competitive price. It is smaller than CX-9 which helps in maneuverability. The diesel engine has nice torque & car feels responsive. The diesel engine is quite frugal as well, returning good… Read more
real-world mileage. All premium Mazda safety features like EBS, Adaptive cruise control, lane-assist are present in this car along with Heads-up display. Head up display is QUITE useful; & very happy that Mazda included it in base model. Overall very nice SUV!
Great value for money with lots of features as standard! – Have had this car for a month now and love it! It has loads of features that were extras on other vehicles we test drove. Great on fuel with around 6l/100 which is close to claimed. Show details
Perfect Car in So Many Ways – The CX8 is so good in so many ways; easier to manoeuvre than CX9, third row seats are a good size, comfortable, quiet, safe with all the new tech, air bags extend to 3rd row, good boot size with 5 seats up, good fuel economy, good price and the heads up display is excellent from the perspectives of keeping eyes on road and keeping under the speed… Read more
limit. As much as it ticks all the boxes, I would still prefer to drive a station wagon. There is nothing wrong with it, except it’s another SUV, albeit a very good one.
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