New models - Mazda - CX-8CX-8 range grows for 2022Mazda to now offer petrol power on all front-wheel drive CX-8 variants28 Jan 2022 By MATT BROGAN MAZDA Australia says it has made its 2.5-litre SKYACTIV-G petrol engine available on all front-wheel-drive derivatives of the CX-8 due to strong customer demand. The 2.2-litre SKYACTIV-D diesel unit, in turn, is available on selected front-wheel-drive and all all-wheel-drive versions.
The model expansion comes as part of a minor MY22 update of the CX-8 rang; the seven-seat SUV is available with the choice of front- and all-wheel-drive configurations and (140kW/252Nm) petrol or (140kW/400Nm) twin-turbo-diesel power in as many as 11 different derivatives.
Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi says that with 70 per cent of all CX-8 buyers choosing petrol power, the decision to broaden the CX-8 range was straightforward.
“Mazda CX-8 has become a strong contender in the large-SUV category, with dimensions that offer good manoeuvrability without compromising on space or comfort for all occupants,” he said.
“Customer demand for the model continues to grow; from November 2020 to November 2021 we’ve seen a more than 80 per cent increase in sales, (which) encouraged us to further diversify the range to give customers even more choice.”
Mr Bhindi’s claim reflects an across-the-board decline in the popularity of diesel-powered SUVs nationally. Despite figures that show one-third of all passenger, SUV and light commercial vehicles sold in Australia in 2021 were diesel-powered, the percentage of diesel models sold within the passenger SUV market is at its lowest point in a decade.
Mazda will continue to offer twin-turbocharged diesel CX-8 derivatives for the foreseeable future. All-wheel drive and higher grade CX-8s are powered by the 2.2-litre SKYACTIV-D engine.
Pricing for the CX-8 range is unchanged in 2022, now beginning from $39,990 (plus on-road costs) for the entry-grade and petrol-powered Sport. The most expensive petrol-powered derivative in the CX-8 range is the Touring SP, which is priced from $47,790 (plus ORCs).
The diesel range, meanwhile, commences with the Sport AWD from $46,990 (plus ORCs) and tops out with the Asaki LE at $69,290 (plus ORCs).
The Mazda CX-8 has a five-star ANCAP safety rating and includes safety features such as blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, smart brake support and smart city brake support (front and rear) across the range.
Mazda’s popular CX-8 slots into the Large SUV (over $70k) segment, where it competes with no fewer than 26 rivals. In 2021, the CX-8 finished the sales chart in eighth place with 6119 sales behind the Toyota LandCruiser Prado (21,299), Isuzu UTE MU-X (10,618), Subaru Outback (10,490), Toyota Kluger (9320), Ford Everest (8359), Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (6804) and Mazda CX-9 (6630).
The updated Mazda CX-8 range is available now.
2022 Mazda CX-8 pricing*:
*Pricing excludes on-road costs. Read more11th of October 2021 Mazda Australia eyes four new SUVs, CX-60 confirmedGlobal Mazda SUV onslaught could result in four new models Down UnderAll new modelsAlfa Romeo Abarth Alpine Alpina Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chery Brabham Chrysler Chevrolet Cupra Citroen DS Dodge Fiat Ferrari Foton Ford Great Wall FPV Haval GWM Honda Holden Hyundai HSV Isuzu Infiniti Jeep Jaguar Lamborghini Kia LDV Land Rover Lotus Lexus Maserati Mahindra McLaren Mazda Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG Mini MG Nissan Mitsubishi Pagani Opel Porsche Peugeot Ram Proton Rolls-Royce Renault Saab Rover Smart Skoda Subaru SsangYong Tesla Suzuki Volkswagen Toyota Volvo Motor industry news |
|
Facebook Twitter Instagram