The Mazda CX-8 is a mid-size 7-seater SUV that is not a global model and will only be sold in Japan, Malaysia, China, and Australia for the time being. In other countries, the CX-9 will be sold, which is larger than the CX-8, but it is also a 7-seater SUV with similar features to the CX-8.
 
CX-8 is actually a long-axle version of CX-5, not a reduced version of CX-9, after the wheelbase is elongated, the wheelbase of CX-8 has reached 2930mm, 140mm longer than Highlander, and the length of the car has reached 4955mm, which is also 65mm longer than Highlander, but the body width remains 1842mm, which is the same as CX-5, so the whole car looks slender and does not feel wide.
 
The exterior design of the CX-8 still follows Mazda's second-generation soul of motion design, it is generally good-looking, and it is also highly recognizable, although it is between CX-5 and CX-9, but the look and feel are different from these two cars, more slender than CX-5, and more delicate than CX-9, the sense of design is obvious, and it is not a simple leather work.
 
In terms of powertrain, the domestic CX-8 only has a 2.5L Skyactiv engine codenamed PY-VPS, paired with a Skyactiv 6AT automatic transmission, while foreign companies will have a 2.2L diesel engine and a 2.5T turbocharged engine, which are also matched with the Skyactiv 6AT gearbox. CX-8 is a medium-sized 7-seater SUV with a curb weight of 1850kg, if this 2.5L naturally aspirated engine is full of power, it must be fake, even in the case of no load, CX-8 can not give 2.5L Atez power feeling, full load can only be said to be barely enough, after the wheelbase is lengthened, the increased weight does affect the power feeling.
 
Although the power output is not outstanding, the gearbox largely makes up for this shortcoming, Mazda's tuning of the 6AT has been perfected, and the shift logic, shift speed and smoothness do not need to be emphasized, and on the CX-8, the gearbox will be more active in downshifting than other Mazda models, as long as the power demand is strong, it will be downshifted. With the help of this gearbox, although the power output of the engine has not increased, the power response is very good, and it is no problem to cope with most daily road conditions.
 
The chassis tuning of the CX-8 has been adjusted accordingly for the lengthening of the wheelbase, and anti-roll bars have been added to the front and rear suspension sections to reduce the body's roll in corners. Although in actual driving, due to the heavier body and the higher center of gravity, the cornering roll is still slightly noticeable, but if there is no anti-roll bar, the roll will be more serious. The CX-8 also has Mazda's GVC system, but this system feels much weaker on the CX-8 than on the Ankesaila, because the tail of the Ankesaila is more active in the corner, and the center of gravity will shift forward a little more obviously when it is combined with the GVC system, but the CX-8 mainly feels rollover in the corner, and the tail is also a little heavier.
 
It may not be fair to put such high driving requirements on a seven-seater SUV, but it also shows that the CX-8 does have a big advantage over other models in its class.
 
The CX-8's steering wheel feel tuning is very similar to that of other Mazdas, it is very light at low speeds, and the steering damping gain with speed is very linear, which is very easy to use, and the body width is the same as that of the CX-5, so the feeling of a large car is not strong, and it is relatively easy to drive in the city.
 
Starting with the CX-5, Mazda has consciously placed emphasis on shock filtration and sound insulation. Although it is not like the Highlander, the road surface can be ironed very smoothly, but the CX-8 retains some road surface information at the same time, the shock filtration is very clean, and the nuisance of suspension action will not be felt in daily life, and the wheel size is relatively restrained, which can also improve the ride comfort. In terms of sound insulation, it is mainly stacked, such as more sealing strips, double glazing, etc., which does a good job of isolating environmental noise, and among Mazda's models, the CX-8 can be said to be the quietest one, but because the transmission downshifts more actively, so the sound of the engine will often be transmitted to the cabin.
 
The interior and multimedia of the front row do not have many highlights, because it is the same as the CX-5 above, but also with a strong Mazda style, mainly simple and practical. It is easy to be criticized for the size of the multimedia screen, because in recent years, joint venture brands and independent brands have used large screens, Mazda is still using a 7-inch screen, which seems a little stingy, but Mazda's multimedia system is really convenient in terms of operation, and it will not affect the driver's attention too much.
 
As a 7-seater SUV, rear seating space is naturally important. The CX-8's second-row seats have a wide range of adjustments, including seatback angle and forward and backward movement, and the second row can be moved to the front or even close to the front seats. The legroom and headroom in the second row are very good, and the seats are also comfortable, but due to the presence of four-wheel drive models, the central platform will have a high bulge, and the middle seat is more prominent, making it difficult to sit comfortably. If five people are traveling at the same time, it is better to sit in the middle of the second row than to sit in the third row.
 
According to the manufacturer, the third row of seats can allow passengers with a height of 170cm to sit comfortably, if it is 175cm or more, although there will be room for legs to move, but the head will be cramped, and you need to bow your head slightly to ride. The thickness of the third-row seats is excellent in its class, thicker than the Highlander, and the ride is more comfortable. As Mazda, which has always been short of space, the third row of the CX-8 is indeed a big surprise.
 
The Mazda CX-8 is not available in the United States, so it lacks IIHS crash test results and reliability research from Consumer Reports, but referring to Mazda's previous models sold in China, it has a good reputation for reliability and is relatively optimistic about expected reliability.
 
In terms of active and passive safety, the CX-8 received a 5-star evaluation in the A-NCAP crash test, and the passive safety is guaranteed.