New Mazda CX-8 2020 pricing and specs detailed: Petrol engine headlines expanded SUV range

Mazda Australia has expanded the CX-8 line-up as part of its MY20 update, with the seven-seat SUV adding a petrol engine option and two new mid-range grades.

Shared with the CX-5, the 140kW/252Nm 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol unit is available in the carryover Sport grade and the new Touring grade.

The 140kW/450Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine returns but is now offered in four grades (Sport, Touring, GT and Asaki) instead of the previous two (Sport and Asaki).

Both units are mated to a six-speed torque-converter automatic transmission as standard.

With the Sport diesel FWD discontinued, its petrol counterpart is the CX-8’s new range opener, therefore lowering the cost of entry by $4000, to $39,910 plus on-road costs.

Trainspotters will notice the CX-8's redesigned nameplate badging.

The Sport diesel AWD is one of the two variants remaining from MY19 and is now $1000 more affordable, at $46,910.

The new Touring versions of the Hyundai Santa Fe rival command a $6680 premium over their Sport counterpart.

The new GT ($57,900 to $61,900) and carryover Asaki ($61,440 to $63,090) grades are diesel only, although buyers do have the choice between FWD or AWD.

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All variants now feature an 8.0-inch touchscreen, which is an inch larger in diameter than before, while the multimedia system powering it now has enlarged icons and texts for improved readability.

For MY20, the autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system in all variants adds night-time pedestrian detection.

In the Touring grade and above, ingress and egress are now aided by a one-touch walk-in switch to the left and right side of the second row, which folds down and allows access to the third row. The latter now has two USB-A ports in the GT grade and above.

The CX-8's touchscreen is now an inch larger in diameter, at 8.0 inches.

All AWD variants now come with Off-Road Traction Assist, which “brings the AWD and traction control systems together to supress tyre spin and distribute the right amount of torque to the tyres that have grip”, according to Mazda.

Trainspotters will also notice the roof’s extra damping material, intended to reduce cabin noise on rainy days, while the key fob and nameplate badging have been redesigned.

Standard equipment in the Sport grade otherwise includes 17-inch alloy wheels, dusk-sensing LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, DAB+ digital radio, a six-speaker sound system, three-zone climate control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, tyre pressure monitoring, a reversing camera and rear parking sensors.

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The Touring grade adds LED foglights, keyless entry and start, power-adjustable front seats with heating, black leather upholstery and front parking sensors.

The GT grade goes further with silver 19-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, a power-operated tailgate, a power-operated sunroof, a 10-speaker Bose sound system, heated outboard rear seats and rear window shades.

The Asaki grade ups the ante again with darkened 19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights, a 7.0-inch multi-function display, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, LED ambient lighting, Nappa leather upholstery, real wood trim and surround-view cameras.

2020 Mazda CX-8 pricing before on-road costs