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Mazda CX-8 vs Kia Sportage

What's the difference?

VS
Mazda CX-8
Mazda CX-8

$38,990 - $78,755

2023 price

Kia Sportage
Kia Sportage

$29,990 - $65,990

2022 price

Summary

2023 Mazda CX-8
2022 Kia Sportage
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Diesel Twin Turbo 4, 2.2L

Turbo 4, 1.6L
Fuel Type
Diesel

Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
6.0L/100km (combined)

7.2L/100km (combined)
Seating
7

5
Dislikes
  • Misses out on a 360-degree view camera system
  • Expensive compared to similarly specified rivals
  • Low number of airbags for family SUV

  • Auto wipers don’t work
  • Fuel consumption could be better
  • Tight bottle storage in doors
2023 Mazda CX-8 Summary

Mazda has a tendency to have a lot of similar looking horses in the stable; blink and you'll miss the (very) subtle differences between the CX-8 and the CX-9 but if you're not super keen on the bulk of the CX-9 and you've outgrown the space of the CX-5... this one's for you.

Especially, if you've been considering its competition - the Hyundai Santa Fe Elite CRDi AWD and Toyota Kluger GXL AWD. Both of which have become known for their features and space.

So, how does it compare? The CX-8 GT SP diesel all-wheel drive seats seven, has a decent boot space (albeit, when the third row isn't in use) and handles like a dream.

Perfect combination? Maybe. I've been driving it for the last week with my family to find out for you.

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2022 Kia Sportage Summary

Kia is on a roll with its SUV line-up. The Stonic light SUV is selling like hotcakes, the Seltos small SUV is hugely popular with long wait lists for higher grades and the large seven-seat Sorento has won a lot of praise from reviewers.

That means there’s a bit of pressure on the new-generation Sportage that just landed in showrooms.

Medium SUVs represent one of the biggest market segments in the country by sales, and with impressive rivals like the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Volkswagen Tiguan and Ford Escape, to name a few, any missteps by Kia will be noticed.

The flagship Kia Sportage GT-Line diesel certainly has show-stopping looks, but is there more substance to the Korean contender?

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Deep dive comparison

2023 Mazda CX-8 2022 Kia Sportage

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