2022 Mazda CX-8: Variants explained

Mazda’s top-selling seven-seater SUV, the CX-8, has recently received an upgrade in the Malaysian market. The latest version is improved all around and now comes with a new 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol mill option as the most costly and powerful option. For a better understanding of all the engine choices and features on offer, let’s discuss all the CX-8 variants in detail.

The 2022 Mazda CX-8 is offered in five variants - 2.5 Mid 2WD, 2.5 High 2WD, 2.5 High Plus 2WD, 2.2 High Plus, and 2.5 T High Plus AWD, priced between RM 185,360 and RM 221,360. The mentioned prices are on-the-road, excluding insurance, but including sales and service tax. Included in the prices are a 5-year/100,000 km warranty and a complimentary 5-year maintenance programme, inclusive of labour, parts, and lubricants.

Now, let’s know these variants one by one.

2022 Mazda CX-8 2.5 Mid 2WD - RM 185,360

This is the most affordable 2022 Mazda CX-8, which costs RM 185,360. For this price, you get a stunning SUV, which features almost the same exterior bits as the predecessor. Among the highlighted bits are automatic LED headlights, LED rear combination lights, 19-inch alloy wheels, hands-free power tailgate, and auto-folding mirrors. The latter two are the new ones.

Just like the exterior, you get some meaningful upgrades inside the cabin as well. These include black leather seats in place of the black fabric seats and an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The standard kit comprises a seven-inch instrument display, keyless entry, three-zone automatic climate control, 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory function, 6-way powered front passenger seat, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, six speakers, additional USB ports for the third-row, and a reverse camera.

Powering the CX-8 base trim is the tried and tested 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine which delivers a maximum power output of 192 hp at 6,000 rpm and a peak torque of 258 Nm at 4,000 rpm. The power is sent to the wheels via a 6-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic gearbox, which now comes with a GVC Plus brake torque vectoring system for improved high-speed cornering stability.

In terms of safety, the features you get with base-spec Mid trim are six airbags, dynamic stability control, traction control system, ABS with EBD and BA, hill launch assist, and emergency stop signal. 

2022 Mazda CX-8 2.5 High 2WD - RM 191,360

Next on the Mazda CX-8 lineup is the 2.5 High 2WD powered by the same engine. It comes at a premium of RM 6k. By paying this extra price, you get the following add-ons -

• A new grille design
• LED interior lamps
• Qi-wireless charger
• Wireless Apple CarPlay
• Option of 6-seating layout with captain chairs in the middle-row
• Blind-spot monitor
• Rear-cross traffic alert
• Adaptive front lighting system
• Smart city brake support (front)
• Deep red leather upholstery

2022 Mazda CX-8 2.5 High Plus 2WD - RM 206,360

Stepping up the ladder, we get the CX-8 High Plus variant, which is priced at RM 206,360. This mid-spec variant benefits from an exclusive gunmetal finish on the front grille, a chrome bumper garnish, LED headlights with Mazda signature illumination, Nappa leather seats, heated & ventilated seat functioning, head-up display, 360-degree camera, lane departure warning system, lane keep assist system, driver attention alert, smart city brake support (front & rear) and Mazda Radar cruise control with stop & go.

2022 Mazda CX-8 2.2 High Plus - RM 213,122

Differentiating the 2.5 High Plus and 2.2 High Plus is the mechanical setup only. The latter comes equipped with a 2.2-litre Skyactiv-D turbo engine, which is good for making 188 hp at 4,500 rpm and 450 Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm. While the engine is different, the transmission system continues to be the same 6-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic.

2022 Mazda CX-8 2.5 T High Plus AWD - RM 221,360

On top of the 2022 Mazda CX-8 range sits the 2.5 T High Plus AWD. This newly added variant is powered by a 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine mated to Mazda's i-Activ all-wheel drive system, which makes it different from its stablemates. The engine delivers a maximum output of 228 hp at 5,000 rpm and a peak torque of 420 Nm at 2,000 rpm. Shifting duties are handled by the same gearbox, you find in the lower trims.

That’s all about the 2022 Mazda CX-8 variants. Which of these would you like to buy, tell us in the comments.

Also read: Mazda CX-60 gets a new 3.3-litre e-Skyactiv diesel mill