By Samuel Smith
Last updated on: November 15, 2019 at 2:30 am
This year has seen a great result for Mazda’s front-wheel-drive SUVs. Its CX-8 has taken out the top spot and its CX-9 has come in third.
Winner: Mazda CX-8 Sport
Variant: Sport
Engine: 2.2 litre diesel
Transmission: 6-speed auto
ANCAP Safety Rating: 5 stars
Runners up
Second place went to the Kia Carnival Platinum and the Mazda CX-9 placed third.
What sets it apart from the rest
The volume-selling people mover models tend to be those with higher specifications as buyers prefer to shell out more dollars for vehicles with all the bells and whistles. The Mazda has a huge advantage costing $17,000 less than the Kia Carnival – its closest competitor.
Being large vehicles, none of our competitors will be at home on a race track, but the CX-8 has a surprisingly dynamic ability for its size.
Third row seating will accommodate children with little fuss and there’s room for carting any extras to the sports field on the weekend.
Key features
- A punchy 2.2 litre diesel engine
- Plenty of room with 3 rows of seating
- A modern, sporty design
- Great value for money
- A 5 star ANCAP Safety Rating
- Excellent fuel economy
What it’s like to drive
On-road, the gap narrows between our podium finishers. The CX-8 and Carnival use the same capacity 2.2 litre diesel engine, with a 6-speed auto in the Mazda and 8-speed in the Carnival. The CX-9 uses a 2.5-litre petrol turbo and leads them in terms of performance. Being large vehicles, none will be at home on a race track, but the CX-9 and CX-8 do have a surprisingly dynamic ability for their size.
How the finalists compared (scores for each category from 1-10)
| Family wagons | Mazda CX-8 Sport | Kia Carnival Platinum | Mazda CX-9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | 5 | 1 | 2 |
| Cost of depreciation ($) | 7 | 1 | 2 |
| Running & repair costs | 8 | 5 | 6 |
| Fuel consumption | 9 | 5 | 4 |
| Warranty & dealer access | 7 | 9 | 7 |
| Insurnace | 8 | 2 | 6 |
| Standard features | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Safety | 10 | 8 | 10 |
| Environment | 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Seating comfort (all rows) | 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Space | 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Practicality | 6 | 7 | 6 |
| Ergonomics | 6 | 9 | 7 |
| Build & finish quality | 7 | 8 | 8 |
| Performance | 7 | 7 | 8 |
| Ride | 7 | 8 | 7 |
| Handling | 7 | 7 | 8 |
| Braking | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Smoothness & quietness | 7 | 7 | 9 |
| Overall average | 868 | 852 | 832 |
Images: Mark Rogers, Magnum Photography Australia