2021 Mazda CX-8 Touring SP petrol review

In the same way television networks drag out Love Actually around Valentine’s Day (or Bridget Jones’s Diary to make you feel even more single) as a ratings generator, carmakers also call on proven badges to boost sales. Enter the Mazda CX-8 Touring SP – the emphasis being on the SP.

It’s a nomenclature predominantly used by the Japanese giant’s Aussie arm and, previously, adorned sporting variants. Now it’s associated with a seven-seat SUV. And unlike the aforementioned rom-coms that at least hold some relevance under the pretence of finding love, this CX-8 isn’t performance-based at all.

Instead, it’s another form of branding for the ubiquitous and outrageously en vogue black pack. Where other marques pretty much call a spade a spade, Mazda’s covert operation has resulted in the resurrection of SP.

History and tradition aside, it’s no bad thing because it results in a bunch of value-adds for the mid-spec variant. A few key items become standard kit, while the aesthetics are smartened by, ahem, black accents inside and out. Both front-wheel drive petrol and all-wheel drive turbo-diesel ($7000 premium) variants are offered, but it’s the former we’re testing here.

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Priced at $47,890 before on-road costs and filtering into the middle of the recently revised CX-8 range, the Touring SP is powered by a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine – and this being the petrol version, it falls under the SkyActiv-G branding. It sends power to the front wheels alone and changes gears via a six-speed automatic transmission (now with steering wheel-mounted paddleshifters). With 200mm of ground clearance and zero off-road modes, this is an SUV that won’t be leaving the urban jungle in a hurry. No, this stretched Mazda CX-5 is for those who wouldn’t be seen dead in an MPV.

However, it’s the dark and moody hues that set the SP apart with black splashed on the 19-inch alloy wheels (up from 17-inch items), front grille and exterior mirror caps. Inside the seats are covered in Black Maztex (Mazda-speak for vegan-friendly leather) and Black Grand Luxe synthetic suede, while the driver’s seat is a 10-way power-adjustable item with two memory positions. The design is further ‘raced-up’ with black honeycomb pattern highlights on the door trims and red stitching – because this is an SP after all.

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Inside, it seems Mazda’s current trend of looking at the homework of the Germans, namely Audi, is paying dividends. Even the control wheel for the MZD Connect infotainment system has hints of an older MMI rotary controller. However, old also describes the 8.0-inch screen and previous-generation graphics as the Touring SP misses out on the 10.25-inch display used higher up the range. And while the graphics are antiquated, it is touch-enabled and comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability.

The playbook returns to a happier tune when you start looking at the details. Overall, the design is nothing groundbreaking or overtly modern, yet tangible quality abounds thanks to the use of high-grade materials matched with top-notch fit and finish. Caress the knurled climate controls or push the soft-touch plastics to get a sense of the premium undertones at play.

It’s also a masterclass in sound ergonomics – even the analogue instrument cluster resides as a beacon of simplicity over new-age digital items. A boon is the head-up display, which offers brilliant clarity and is also legible when wearing sunglasses with polarised lenses.

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For a model grade whose purpose is to exude pragmatism and excel when carrying out mundane tasks, it’s nice to know that the cabin can still make you feel special. Heated seats up front (and the two outboard rear seats) are niceties, as is the tri-zone climate control with rear air vents to keep all passengers at the right temperature.

There are niggles and signs of age, though. The infotainment screen can be slow to react and it isn’t touch-enabled when using smartphone mirroring, there is no wireless charge pad (in this variant) and no provision for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto without a cable. The competition is moving on in this regard. A further bugbear is that the USB (no USB-C) ports are located in awkward locations, like in the shallow central console bin and the rear middle armrest – meaning all three pews can’t be used.

Overall the design is nothing groundbreaking, yet tangible quality abounds thanks to the use of high-grade materials matched with top-notch fit and finish.

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What is appreciated in the middle row is the amount of room for heads, legs and toes thanks to the 2930mm wheelbase shared with the CX-9. Shoulders, well, not so much – thank the 1840mm width, identical to the CX-5, for that. The third row is accessed by the one-touch ‘walk-in’ function, and once there headroom is expansive for adults, while legroom is aided by the fact the central row can slide forward and aft. The rear doors open to almost 90 degrees to aid entry and eagres as well as when you’re loading in car seats – for which there are outboard ISOFIX points.

Thanks to the stretched overall length (4900mm), boot space is verging on large seven-seat levels with 209 litres when all seats are in place and a capacious 775 litres in five-seat mode. The rearmost row stows easily to create a flat load bay that also hides a secret second storage area and a space-saver spare. The four D-shaped tie-down points are handy, as are the two shopping hooks capable of holding up to 3kg of groceries and the 12v power outlet – although it’s a shame there aren’t any USB ports back there.

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Safety is covered off with a lot of active and passive systems, while the range has received a five-star rating from ANCAP. Highlight include full AEB (forward and reverse), blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear cross traffic alert and active cruise control with lane-keeping.

Cost of ownership is locked in, partly, with five years of scheduled servicing coming in at $1745 in total. Those services occur every 12 months or 10,000km, while the CX-8 is covered by a five-year unlimited-kilometre warranty with roadside assist. Ultimately, how much you drive, and the nature of it, will determine whether petrol or diesel propulsion is right for you.

Speaking of which, the CX-8 has remained mechanically unchanged – unless, of course you count the addition of paddleshifters for the automatic. That means the 140kW and 252Nm figures continue from the 2488cc four-cylinder engine, with both of those outputs developed quite high in the rev range. Grunt isn’t in abundance, especially out on the open road when overtaking. However, it keeps pace with city traffic and is sufficient for the urban commute with the six-speed auto doing an amicable job.

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When you compare the petrol 2.5-litre against its turbo-diesel sibling (and rivals), the claimed combined fuel consumption of 8.1L/100km isn’t groundbreaking. What’s more, even that figure is hard to achieve, with our tester struggling to hover around the 9.8L/100km mark. The next-gen SkyActiv-X compression-ignition technology isn’t offered in the CX-8, so if fuel economy is high on your priority list – and you can clean out the particulate filer on a longer drive – then the oiler will be for you. Factoring in the added performance benefits of the SkyActiv-D 2.2-litre four-cylinder engine is also worth keeping in mind, too.

Sitting on an elongated five-seat SUV platform, the ‘honey I stretched the CX-5 notion’ results in the CX-8 displaying competent road manners. Despite weighing 1799kg and being endowed with a comparatively tall but narrow body, the Touring SP holds itself well when cornering. Lateral head toss is kept in check, body roll is acceptable given the high centre of gravity and the CX-8 changes direction with aplomb. Mechanical grip is evident, yet the 225-section Toyo Proxes R46 tyres can be left wanting for grip in greasy conditions.

In an SUV context, the Touring SP offers an accomplished and rewarding driving experience.

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As is a Mazda trait, the steering is a strong point and is light at slow speeds with additional weight being added at speed. The only blight is some kickback through the wheel. However, torque steer, which is prevalent in other front-wheel-drive SUVs, isn’t an issue – mainly because there is a general lack of Newtons to trouble the front axle.

Despite a slight hankering for stiffness, the ride quality is comfortable and the dampers offer impressive control. You aren’t going to waft or bobble about in the CX-8. In an SUV context, the Touring SP offers an accomplished and rewarding driving experience. Overall NVH and road noise is well suppressed (only really coarse surfaces will result in tyre roar), meaning the CX-8 is just a nice place to be to cover kays in and out of the CBD.

Disband the notion that the SP variant has any other purpose for being than to offer added features with extra style and you’re on the money. A performance-oriented SUV it is not. A pseudo people-mover with luxe appeal it is. And just like Love Actually, to a certain customer, it’ll be exactly what they need.

2021 Mazda CX-8 Touring SP specifications