2018 Mazda CX-8 First Drive Review | Drive.com.au

Japanese brand adds seven-seat diesel-powered option to its range.

This isn’t supposed to be here and I’m not meant to be driving it, as Mazda initially said this SUV would only be available exclusively to Japanese customers.

But here I am, in Australia, driving the Mazda CX-8.

[IncredibleAli]

Just bought one! Picking up tomorrow. Super excited after test driving one. Had a CX5 for past 5 yrs absolutely love it. Well done Mazda...making great cars!

[valdius]

During last month I visited most dealerships in Japan. CX-8 was by far the best one in the class. Diesel is "smooth enough". Comfort is excellent. The trunk is good.
A narrow-body is preferred in Japan due to narrow roads. For shorties like myself, it is really comfortable and RAV4 cannot come close to it.

[paulvictor]

I would love to have it. Perfect size car and a better competitor to those slightly larger medium sized SUVs

[johnnytampocao]

I hope Mazda brings this CX8 to the Philippine market with both diesel ang gasoline engine.

[mixalis]

Would have just made the 9 as a Diesel !! And cheaper ~~ CX9 does not get the claimed FE

[johnnytampocao]

Very good and spacious compact SUV. I hope Mazda can widen their markets of this car not just in Australia and Japan but also in some part of Asia as I believe this is a very suitable luxury alternative to some 7 seaters now available in the region...

[STARSCREAM]

I have a bad feeling that this will sabotage sales of both the CX-5 and CX-9. I hope it doesn't happen.

[Grant_Ferstat]

Should have stuck with the CX5 grille.

[tokekkk]

I thought CX-8 was a JDM only, but hey you lucky Australians :)

[gymak]

Why did mazda go through all that hassle to make CX-8? Could it just stick the diesel engine into CX-9 body?
Btw, notice the wing mirrors are red in the test drive, but the car in the video is white. Makes me wonder if he is testing the right car...

[dshiningsword]

I wonder why didnt Mazda name it CX-7...!

[anthonypalmer]

The car looks fit for purpose but can we can a better script writer that doesn't overuse cliches & repeats details.

[nathan-clark]

Might want to recut this without the repetition of “on the road...”

[Studat]

Why did you repeat yourself repeat yourself

[jonm]

They couldn't call it the CX7 because that car was a failure, hope they get this one right.