SUV Reviews

The Touring is the second lowest grade of CX-8 available, but is offered with a choice of petrol or diesel engines.The petrol engine is a 2.5-litre unit outputting 140kW/252Nm and sends drive to the front wheels, while the 2.2-litre turbo-diesel produces 140kW/450Nm and drives all four corners. Both come with a six-speed automatic.Added to the Touring grade is keyless entry, push-button start, electronically adjustable front seats, heated front seats, front parking sensors and a black leather interior.

The new flagship of the 2021 CX-8 line-up is the Asaki LE.Differentiating itself from the standard Asaki, the LE swaps the second-row bench seats out for two captain's chairs.The second row seats feature electronic adjustment, as well as heating and cooling functions.A unique centre console is also included for the second row, which sports storage options and USB ports for charging.Priced at $69,920, the Asaki LE is available exclusively with a 140kW/450Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine with all-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission.

The second-to-top GT grade adds a few more upmarket appointments to the interior, including a 10-speaker Bose sound system and a sunroof.On the outside, the GT is distinguished by 19-inch wheels, adaptive LED headlights and LED daytime running lights.Only the diesel engine is available for the GT grade, which is a 2.2-litre unit outputting 140kW/450Nm to either the front or all-four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.The front-drive version is priced at $62,790 before on-road costs, while the all-wheel-drive GT is $63,290.

As a new grade to the 2021 CX-8 range, the Touring SP builds upon the Touring grade with more equipment such as red-stitched interior, leather and suede seats, blacked-out 19-inch wheels and heated rear outboard seats.The changes do come at a premium though, with the Touring SP asking $1000 more than the grade upon which it is based.Available with a 2.5-litre petrol engine or a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel for $47,790 before on-road costs and $54,790 respectively, the former makes 140kW/252Nm while the latter produces 140kW/450Nm.Both engines are paired to a six-speed automatic transmission, with the petrol sending drive to the front wheels and the diesel sporting all-wheel drive.

The Asaki is the top-spec grade, coming with all the equipment you'd expect out of a $63,290-plus SUV.Both Asaki versions are powered by a 140kW/450Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine, but the aforementioned cheaper version sends drive to the front wheels, while for $66,790 buyers will get all-wheel drive.They are both paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.Asaki cars wear unique 19-inch wheels, while the cabin is augmented with a 7.0-inch driver display, interior ambient lighting, a heated steering wheel and cooled front seats.Safety systems are also boosted by a surround-view monitor.

Mazda Australia changed the SUV game back in 2018 when it launched its segment-straddling seven-seat CX-8, but today competition in the crossover space is as fierce as ever. Do the updates in 2021 keep the CX-8 fresh against rivals such as the Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan X-Trail?

The Audi Q5 has consistently been one of Audi's top sellers in Australia, so how does this new model perform as a family car? Here's how it went for a week with my family of four.

Thanks to focus on design and the environment, the MX-30 small SUV is arguably Mazda's most interesting new model in years. However, the eagerly anticipated electric version isn't here just yet. That said, the M Hybrid is, and as it turns out, it's a mild child that doesn't quite go far enough.

The second-generation Captur range opens with the sharply-priced Life, kicking off at $28,190 before on-roads.

The Zen is the second in the three tier range and is the best value of the three at $30,790.