Mazda CX-8

Mazda is now officially out of the minivan race as the MPV, the Premacy, and the Biante, are officially discontinued because of the rise of crossovers and following the success of their crossovers such as the CX-3 and the CX-5, they've decided to add their flagship SUV with minivan-sizing that will contemplate today's Japanese families.

2018 Mazda CX-8

This is the brand-new Mazda CX-8 and judging by the name, this will be Mazda's flagship SUV offered exclusively for the Japanese market and bearing minivan-like sizing, this crossover means business for Mazda as this SUV blends the the ideal balance of luxury, performance, economy, and safety, all in one unique crossover.

2018 Mazda CX-8

Like a man of his word, Mazda's trademark KODO design fits rather well for a big midsize crossover and by the looks of it, the CX-8 bears the impression of "Honey, I Grew Up The CX-5" because for those who think their new CX-5 not big enough for those who are having kids can either trade one for this of lend their CX-5 to someone close so their previous Mazda crossover are in safe hands while the CX-8 accommodates rather well for family use.

2018 Mazda CX-8 interior

It's all typical Mazda interior by the looks of it but because being the first-ever Mazda SUV to be offered with third-row seating, albeit for Japan, the CX-8 is not just about practicality and utility but also luxury as well because for people who picked the six-seater variant, it comes with captain's chair seats with a large console box between them. Those second-row seats were heavily inspired by luxury minivans offered in Japan such as Toyota's Alphard and Vellfire, Nissan's Elgrand, and Honda's Odyssey, and if you can picture it quite well, it's just another ride for the politicians but if you're not using it for political or business purposes, you can get one in a seven seater format, which is family-oriented. 

Of course, being an SUV with three rows of seats, expect the occupation of child seats on the second-row, making access to the third-row seats a royal pain and this may involve either squeezing. If you do make it to the third row seats by either from the second row or at the back, you have to admit that because of its minivan-like sizing, the third-row seats can accommodate even the tallest of people like me. As for the boot space, it's not so bad either. I mean, you have room for your grocery hauls and stuff for your relative's birthday as well as other occasions. 

2018 Mazda CX-8

Due to the success of the diesel variants of both the CX-5 and the CX-3, the CX-8 follows the same suit as the only engine offered at launch is the same SKYACTIV-D 2.2L engine from the CX-5 but it's been uprooted to produce 190PS of power and 450Nm of torque. Couple that with the revolutionary SKYACTIV-DRIVE 6-speed AT and the fuel efficiency is 15.8km/L based on the very relevant WLTC mode standards. First introduced on the gasoline variant of the CX-3, the WTLC (Worldwide harmonized light duty driving test cycle) or Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure, whatever you may call it, is a chassis dynamometer test calculate vehicles' fuel efficiency in urban areas (WLTC-L), residential areas (WLTC-M) and highways (WLTC-H), just like the EPA-estimated mileage or the EU combined fuel-efficiency cycle in so many ways and this is their new and proper way to determine how fuel-efficient a car should be.

Okay, now that you are familiarized with the WLTC Mode standards, let's move on to the handling and like today's Mazdas, the G-Vectoring Control delivers a healthy balance of response and stability depending on the load of the wheels. Combined with the i-ACTIV AWD and the result is a crossover that handles pretty well in today's weather forecast, whatever it may be. As for city use, the CX-8's true asset is the safety tech courtesy of i-ACTIVSENSE such as Smart City Brake Support (SCBS), Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH), Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) and Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM).

The new Mazda CX-8 starts at 3,196,800 Japanese Yen and arrives in dealerships this mid-December, in time for the holidays. Although not the most exciting crossover to enjoy with, the CX-8 is the crossover that delivers the ruggedness of the SUV, the spaciousness of a minivan, which Mazda no longer makes, and sedan-riding comfort, all in one unique crossover catered for the Japanese motorists. Hope this better works but that's Mazda so if any articles circulating about this crossover, it's their loss, especially someone...

Available colors: Soul Red Crystal Metallic, Machine Grey Premium Metallic, Jet Black Mica, Titanium Flash Mica, Sonic Silver Metallic, Deep Crystal Blue Mica, and Snowflake White Pearl Mica.

Photo: Mazda Motor Corporation