Mazda CX-9

UPDATED April 2020: The Mazda CX-9 seven-seat SUV has been lauded since its launch for the ample space, comfort and standard features on offer, and for the performance of its gutsy 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine that hauls its 1850kg mass pretty well.

Its one weakness is the lack of a diesel offering, as available in the smaller CX-5, which has the potential to provide better towing power and return leaner fuel economy on highways. While the seemingly obvious solution would be to shove an oil burner under the CX-9’s bonnet, Mazda opted instead to create a stretched version of the CX-5 with a diesel option, a car we now know as the CX-8. Created specifically for the Japanese market – where the CX-9 is not sold – the CX-8 first arrived in Australia in 2018.

In February 2020, Mazda introduced a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine to the CX-8 range, also sourced from the CX-5, to make it more attractive to urban buyers.

To those not in the know, the CX-8 and CX-9 look very similar and perform much the same family-focused mission, albeit with different powertrains. But there are enough differences between the two to sway buyers who may not be too fussed about what’s under the bonnet one way or the other.

So let’s see how they stack up.

Pricing and variants

The CX-9 has five trim grade specifications, Sport, Touring, GT, Azami and Azami LE. Each has the option of an FWD or, for an additional $4000, AWD, except for the Azami LE which is AWD only. Pricing ranges from 46,890 to $74,219

The CX-8 has a $6,700 lower starting price of $40,190 and tops out at $69,590.

It originally had just two spec grades, Sport and Asaki, making it the smallest line-up in the Mazda stable. But this was extended with the 2020 update to also include mid-spec Touring and GT versions, which filled a huge price gap between variants.

In 2021 two more variants were introduced, the Touring SP and Asaki LE, which added a few features over their namesakes.

In January 2022, Mazda dropped the FWD diesel powertrain, which sold in very low numbers compared to the petrol FWD.

The current range sees all variants, apart from the Asaki LE come a choice of petrol FWD or diesel AWD with the latter costing an additional $4000 - the Asaki LE is only available with the AWD diesel powertrain.

Standard features

Both cars’ entry-level Sport versions are very well equipped and have a premium feel despite their cloth trim. Features common to each model include:

• Adaptive cruise control
• 8.0-inch screen with rotary controller
• Satellite navigation
• Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
• Reversing camera
• Rear-parking sensors
• Digital radio
• Auto-folding door mirrors
• Daytime running lights
• LED headlights and tail-lamps
• Three-zone climate control
• Alloy wheels
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Lane-keeping assist
• Blind-spot monitor
• Rear-cross traffic alert.

The bigger CX-9 comes standard with 18-inch alloys, while the CX-8 Sport rolls on 17s.

The plush CX-9 Azami and CX-8 Asaki are each brimming with features that are extra-cost options in some pricier Euro SUVs such as Nappa leather upholstery, heated front seats premium sound system, remotely operated tailgate, multi-element LED headlights and 360-degree view parking monitor. The LE flagships bring middle-row captain's chairs

The CX-9 Azami has 20-inch alloys, the CX-8 Asaki 19s.

CX-9 and CX-8 dimensions

The CX-9’s 5075mm x 1969mm overall dimensions are 175mm longer and 129mm wider than the CX-8’s (4900mm x 1840mm). However, both have the same 2930mm wheelbase. This provides the CX-8 with the same legroom in the first two rows, but its shorter and narrower shell loses a little elbow room while making parking a little easier.

Space and comfort

Both cars are very quiet. The CX-8’s diesel naturally dishes out a little more engine noise, but it’s a lot quieter than the CX-5 diesel, with plenty of sound insulation that’s evident by the weight of the bonnet. They also ride very smoothly.

The CX-9’s front seats feel a little wider and more embracing, and second-row seats also feel more comfortable – you sit in them whereas you feel like you’re sitting on the CX-8's middle pew.

Second-row seats

The CX-9’s second row is comfortable and delivers a good view over the front seats and out the side windows, and there’s plenty of headroom. In the Touring, GT and Azami versions, the central fold-down armrest has a handy storage bin and a USB port.

The middle row bench in the CX-8 can slide forward and aft, and recline 22- and 30-degrees from vertical, and the rear door opens out to 80-degrees to make getting into the third row easier. All versions have a fold-down centre armrest with storage and two USB sockets. The two outboard seats in the Asaki and Asaki LE are heated.

The range-topping CX-9 Azami LE and CX-8 Asaki LE have two very-plush second-row power-operated captain's chairs with heating and ventilation.

Third-row seats

The CX-9’s third row provides usable accommodation for adults, rather than being a kids-only proposition, while the CX-8’s back seats are designed to accommodate occupants up to 170cm tall, which makes it a little tight for most adults. Once they squeeze in though, most people will cope with a 20-minute run across town.

Children will have no problems, with heaps of leg and elbow room in each car.

Neither car has third-row air vents, but their second rows have dedicated vents and independent air-conditioning controls that also benefit the rear seats.

Which has the bigger boot?

With the third row in use, the CX-8 holds 209 litres of luggage space, which Mazda reckons is just enough to hold two golf bags. There is also a sub-boot below the main boot floor with a large opening and a depth of 100 mm, offering 33 litres of underfloor storage space, which is especially useful for valuable or fragile items.

With the third-row seatback folded down, the available luggage capacity increases to a sizeable 742 litres. Folding down both the second and third-row seatbacks brings a capacious 1727 litres and creates a flat floor space large enough to hold two bicycles. That last figure is slightly more than the CX-9 thanks to the flat-folding rear seats.

The CX-9’s additional width increases luggage space behind the third row to 230 litres. In five-seat mode that grows to a substantial 810 litres. Fold the 60:40 middle-row seats down and there’s a van-like 1641 litres of space – enough to accommodate big pieces of furniture.

Both the CX-8 and CX-9 can tow braked loads up to 2000kg, or 750kg unbraked.

Performance and fuel economy

The CX-9’s 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol consumes as little as 8.4 litres/100km (city and country combined), which isn’t bad for a large SUV.

The petrol engine responds strongly from low speeds and pulls with plenty of guts for overtaking. It’s a sporty engine that teams well with the six-speed automatic to give the CX-9 a surprising turn of speed.

The CX-8's naturally aspirated petrol engine has significantly less power and torque so has to work harder resulting in a slightly higher official combined fuel economy rating of 8.5L/100km - the same engine in the smakller CX-5 consumes 7.5L/100km

The CX-8’s 2.2-litre SKYACTIV-D turbocharged diesel engine, which also shared with the CX-5, consumes just 6.0L/100km on the official test cycle (city and country combined).

Despite its slightly smaller dimensions, the diesel CX-8 is about 110kg heavier than the CX-9 because of the heft of its diesel powertrain and additional soundproofing. So it drives like a heavier, slighter softer-riding CX-5, and not quite like a smooth and well-planted CX-9, though the 2.2-litre diesel has no problems pulling its bulk.

Ride and handling

The Mazda CX-9 is the best handling large SUV available near its price, and a genuinely good drive despite its bulk and high centre of mass. Its greatest strengths are a suspension that brillianty blends comfort and manoeuvrability, and slick and accurate steering, particularly with the AWD versions.

The CX-8’s narrower footprint means it doesn’t feel quite as planted as the CX-9, but overall body control and general dynamics of both the diesel and petrol versions are good and often impervious to road imperfections. The CX-8 is one of the easier seven-seat SUVs to park.

Summing up

Despite coming with a smaller starting price and petrol and diesel engine options, the CX-8 hasn't quite matched the CX-9 for sales, but it has succeeded in bringing people seeking a diesel three-row SUV to Mazda showrooms.

A couple of things going against the CX-8 include less cargo space and the fact that the diesel isn’t the best choice if most of your driving is short inner-city runs. And while there is a petrol version it isn't quite up to the job of hauling a large SUV like the CX-9's.

But on the plus side, the entry-level CX-8 Sport FWD petrol is significantly cheaper than its CX-9 equivalent, which has attracted a few more buyers.