Mazda CX-8

The overall interior cabin layout of the Mazda CX-8 looks incredibly classy, with a very symmetrical layout and usage of top-notch quality materials. The dual-tone treatment of black with walnut brown, along with silver and piano black inserts for different bits, makes the cabin of the Mazda CX-8 look extremely posh.

Apart from the three-pod boring looking instrument console, every bit in this cabin exudes elegance and attention to detail. The good-to-hold multi-functional steering wheel, the pop-up style touchscreen infotainment system in the center and pop-out style symmetrical pentagonal AC vents below it, are some elements which surely will catch your attention. The almost horizontal transmission panel, housing the gear lever, and a host of other controls look rich with piano black surrounds.

There is no dearth of fit and finish levels and comfort and convenience features in the Mazda CX-8, with the only diluting aspect of the cabin being the limited legroom and knee room for the third row of seats.

Following the customary sleek design language of the all-new current generation Mazdas, the new Mazda CX-8 seeks a lot of inspiration from its bigger cousin, the Mazda CX-9, which is known for its smooth and curvaceous design. The Mazda CX-8, in that direction, looks curvy too, and looks more of a crossover than a typical SUV.

The front profile of the Mazda CX-8 has a curvy flowing bonnet, which ends up in a sleek looking front fascia, comprising of a wide rounded front grille with tapered lower and side edges, the latter of which are finished in chrome. Just like in all the Mazdas, the side extensions of the front grille, finished in chrome, move towards the lower edges of the headlamps, which here are super sleek and incorporate full LED projector bulbs and characteristic daytime running LEDs.

The curves of the front bonnet flow smoothly towards the side profile as well, which looks much like a station wagon with an elongated wheelbase and stretched length. The Mazda CX-8 here gets sturdy looking body cladding over the wheel arches as well as the lower portion of the doors. Giving a more premium essence to the side profile are the machined alloy wheels as well as chrome surrounds for the entire window frame.

The curved essence of the overall styling is followed for the rear profile as well, where it gets a slightly tapering down windscreen with a massive sporty looking spoiler and rounded and minimalistic looking LED tail lamps. 

With an all-wheel-drive setup in the higher-spec variant and a softly sprung setup for the Macpherson struts at the front and multi-link at the rear, the Mazda CX-8 offers you a very comfortable ride quality which is comparable to many luxury sedans out there. However, don’t expect it to be SUV-like, as the not-so-high ground clearance limits its off-road credibility.

The Mazda CX-8 gets a big 2.5-liter four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine, which is paired to a conventional 6-speed automatic transmission and is assisted with an idling start-stop feature for maximizing fuel efficiency. The engine belts out maximum power and torque outputs of 190 PS and 252 Nm respectively.

Equipped with a decent list of safety features including front, side, and curtain airbags, ABS with EBD, dynamic stability control, blind-spot monitoring, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, 360-degree camera, lane departure warning, electronic stability control, and traction control, the Mazda CX-8 scores high on safety as well.

The Mazda CX-8 has got an extra edge over conventional sedans and station wagons, by offering the same levels of space and comfort, with an added versatility of the third row of seats, tough-looking styling bits on the outside, and higher ground clearance, making it a vehicle with an equal balance of luxuriousness and practicality on offer.