The Japanese brand has overhauled the range of its popular family car that signals a big change of direction.
Mazda has changed direction with its big family SUV.
The Japanese brand has ditched diesel power from its cheaper front-wheel drive CX-8 SUVs, instead reserving the fuel for more expensive all-wheel drive versions.
This means the cheapest diesel seven-seater in Mazda’s range is now more than $50,000 drive-away.
Mazda initially launched the seven-seat CX-8 in Australia as a diesel-only vehicle in 2018.
This was because the CX-9 – the maker’s other seven-seat SUV – was only available with a petrol engine and buyers were keen on a diesel version.
Many large SUV buyers prefer diesel power for its fuel efficiency and the large amount of torque that makes it easier to move the heavy vehicles.
The front-wheel drive CX-8 models use a 2.5-litre petrol engine making 140kW and 252Nm, this compares to the all-wheel drive models using a 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel unit making 140kW and 450Nm.
The petrol CX-8 is priced from $39,990 before on-road costs, adding diesel and all-wheel drive costs and extra $7000.
Mazda first introduced a petrol version of the CX-8 in 2020 and it has proved popular, accounting for more than 70 per cent of sales.
Mazda Australia Managing Director, Vinesh Bhindi, says “Customer demand for the model continues to grow; from November 2020 to November 2021 we’ve seen a more than 80% increase on sales, encouraging us to further diversify the range to give customers even more choice.”
Sales of diesel-powered SUVs has started to slowly decline in the past few years as buyers switch to more environmentally-friendly hybrids.
Diesel fumes have been linked to cancer, respiratory disease and impaired cognitive function in children and they produce more smog-forming pollutants than petrol cars.
Originally published as Mazda announces updates for the 2022 CX-8 seven-seat SUV
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