Upgraded tech, tweaked suspension and refreshed looks for petrol and diesel CX-8s in return for prices that rise by between $1520 and $2520, now starting from $42,060 + ORC.

Mazda Australia now offers its 2.5-litre petrol engine on all front-wheel-drive versions of the CX-8, while the 2.2-litre turbodiesel motor does duty on high-spec two- and all-wheel-drive derivatives.

Mazda has beefed up its CX-8 large SUV line-up for 2020 with five new variants and a new petrol engine as well, slashing $4000 off the asking price for the base model Sport FWD.

Mazda will finally have a diesel-powered offering in the large SUV segment with the launch this month of the seven-seat CX-8 that will sit alongside the petrol-only CX-9.