Mazda CX-8

Also read: New 2022 Mazda CX-8 launched in Malaysia; 2.5T AWD variant, RM 212k, GVC Plus

Here’s a quick overview of its pros and cons:

Pros

• Effortless acceleration
• High quality interior with premium touches
• Seats six adults comfortably
• Updated ADAS with stop-and-go feature

Cons

• Fuel consumption on the higher side
• Interior beginning to look dated

Pros - Effortless acceleration

Like in the Mazda CX-9 and CX-5 Turbo, the 2.5-litre turbocharged engine feels more like a large-capacity naturally aspirated engine. Squeeze the throttle and the engine responds without hesitation.

Power delivery is progressive and doesn’t punch you in the gut like the majority of turbocharged engines, especially from German makes. What you get is a strong wave of torque that makes overtaking a breeze, improving drivability.

Pros - High quality interior with premium touches

Selection of material and build quality are top notch. All touch points are either covered in supple leather or soft plastics. Seats are upholstered in Nappa leather, so it’s as supple as a baby’s bottom.

It gives off a feeling of solidity as soon as you shut the doors as it mutes exterior noises and everything feels superbly put together.

Pros - Seats six adults comfortably

In this 2.5L Turbo variant, it gets a 6-seater layout with a centre console between the second-row seats.

Space in the second row is relatively generous with the second-row seats pushed all the way back - there’s about 3 tennis balls worth of kneeroom and slightly less than 2 tennis balls of headroom.

For the third-row seats with the front and second-row seats set at 25 cm apart - which is our set distance for “normal legroom” - there’s one tennis ball of kneeroom and this writer’s 177 cm stature is just about touching the headliner.

As far as third-row seats go, these are one of the most comfortable ones in an SUV.

Also read: Looking for a 6/7-seater SUV for RM 200k? The Mazda CX-8 should be your top pick

Pros - Updated ADAS with stop-and-go feature

The suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) has been updated with Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS), High Beam Control (HBC), Smart Brake Support (SBS) for front and rear, and Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) with stop and go.

These complement the Smart City Brake Support (SCBS), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).

Currently, the CX-8 is the only Mazda offered in Malaysia with stop-and-go feature that’s incredibly useful in traffic jams. It can reduce driver fatigue during extended periods in crawling traffic.

Cons - Fuel consumption on the higher side

After a 112.9 km trip broken down to around 60/40 highway and city driving, the Mazda CX-8 2.5L Turbo required 12.39 litres of fuel to be re-brimmed. Working the numbers out, the 2022 Mazda CX-8 2.5L Turbo’s fuel consumption is calculated at 11-litre/100 km.

Bear in mind that the test was conducted with only one driver onboard. With more passengers and items, expect the fuel consumption to rise.

If fuel consumption is a concern, Mazda also offers the identically-equipped 2.2-litre SkyActiv diesel, though now available in front-wheel drive (FWD) configuration only.

We tested the all-wheel drive (AWD) variant and it achieved 9.1-litre/100 km in similar conditions. The FWD variant should theoretically be even more fuel efficient.

Also read: Review: Mazda CX-8 2.2D High - This over the VW Tiguan Allspace R-Line?

Cons - Interior beginning to look dated

Despite the updated infotainment, it still runs on the older operating system. While the interface is easy to use and understand, it looks dated compared to the newer systems seen in the Mazda 3 and CX-30. Also, the resolution of the 360-degree camera is rather poor.

Conclusion

The 2022 Mazda CX-8 2.5L Turbo has effortless performance, an upmarket interior, fits 6 adults comfortably, and the updated ADAS completes the overall package.

However, the effortlessness comes at a price - it can be a little thirsty. And while the interior looks and feels upmarket, it’s beginning to look dated.

With all that being said, for RM 200k, there’s no other family car that is as complete as the Mazda CX-8. You get the space and practicality of an SUV that offers 6 proper seats for adults, a full suite of ADAS, and large reserves of low-end grunt from the turbocharged engine.

Can’t expect such a large and heavy SUV with such outputs to sip fuel, right?

Also read: Review: The 2022 Mazda CX-8 2.5 Turbo isn't just a sleeper SUV, it's also a smooth land yacht