Mazda CX-8

The cabin of the Mazda CX-8 might not be the most futuristic-looking space when compared to the modern tech-laden midsize SUVs. However, what’s highly impressive is the high levels of quality and fit and finish levels and the presence of all the essential features which one needs in a car of this class. The dual-tone black and brown upholstery surely looks classy and makes it look like the cabin of a much more expensive car.

The driver’s cockpit of the Mazda CX-8 is a simple affair with a three-spoke multi-functional steering wheel and a three-pod instrument console with analog dials and a small LCD for the basic MID functions display. The centre console has a sense of minimalism with a high-placed trapezoidal touchscreen infotainment system, which is quite small by modern standards. The lower part of the centre console has sleek pentagonal AC vents with silver surrounds, below which the centre tunnel starts, which is finished in a glossy black theme.

The rich equipment list of the Mazda CX-8 comprises of 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory function, 6-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control with rear AC vents, 10-speaker audio system from BOSE, auto headlamps, and rain-sensing wipers.

Just like every other Mazda available on the block right now, the Mazda CX-8 impresses with its sleek design throughout its profile, which gives it a distinctive appeal over other upright SUVs in the same space. The aerodynamic design of the CX-8 not only helps it in looking good but also aids in its driving dynamics at higher speeds.

At the front, the Mazda CX-8 has a very familiar face that has been shared with other Mazda SUVs. The open-face wide front grille has chrome garnish on its side and lower edges, with the side edges extending towards the middle of the lower edges of the slim, LED headlamps placed adjacent to the grille. To make the CX-8 look even wider than what it is, the front grille comes with horizontal slats of chrome stacked one over the other. The CX-8 has got slim housings for the tiny LED fog lamps at the bottom of the front bumper.

The side profile of the Mazda CX-8 looks very much like that of a station wagon, however, the high ground clearance gives it the much-needed SUV-ish stance. The smooth flowing curved emerging from the front grille flows nicely towards the side profile till the rear doors. Even the upper window lines flow nicely towards the D-pillar, which joins with the lower shoulder line in a tapered end. Design elements like roof rails, slim body cladding over wheel arches, and the bottom of the doors give it the added ruggedness of an SUV.

The Mazda CX-8 looks very sophisticated from the back as well, with the curved and slim tail lamps laid out horizontally just below the edges of the rear windscreen. There is a fine line of chrome that runs across the width of the boot lid over the high-mounted license plate housing and joins the tail lamps.

The highlight of the Mazda CX-8 is the G-Vectoring control for the all-wheel-drive system on offer in the Exclusive variant, which smoothens the driving experience and keeps the body roll in check, despite a high ground clearance of 185mm.

While the world is moving towards turbocharged petrol engines, the Mazda CX-8 sticks to the conventional roots by having a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine under its hood. Paired to a 6-speed automatic gearbox, the engine makes a maximum power output of 190 PS and a peak torque output of 252 Nm.

Apart from the conventional safety features like front, side, and curtain airbags, ABS with EBD, dynamic stability control, front and rear parking sensors, 360-degree parking camera, and traction control, the Mazda CX-8 also gets additional driving aids like lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring system, radar cruise control, smart city brake support, and driver attention alert.

The Mazda CX-8 breaks the monotony with its sleek styling and premium quality levels in and out, which makes it look and feel different from other midsize SUVs from mainstream carmakers.