2021 Mazda CX-5 and CX-8 detailed: More power, safety and technology for Toyota RAV4 and Kia Sorento rivals

Mazda has revealed the MY21 CX-8 seven-seater in Japan, while the brand’s home market has also shown its version of the updated CX-5 mid-sizer, with both SUVs getting a more powerful engine option as well as more safety and technology.

As reported, the MY21 CX-5 debuted in August in the US, although its 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine wasn’t detailed at the time, but it has been now in Japan.

Critically, the unit’s maximum power has increased from 140kW at 4500rpm to 147kW at 4000rpm for better merging and overtaking, while its peak torque has held steady at 450Nm at 2000rpm.

For reference, the CX-5’s two 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engines (140kW/252Nm 2.5-litre naturally aspirated and 170kW/420Nm turbocharged) are unchanged as part of the update.

To reiterate, the CX-5’s 8.0-inch touchscreen has been replaced by grade-dependent 8.8-inch and 10.25-inch displays powered by Mazda’s latest multimedia system, which debuted in the new-generation Mazda3 small car. They can only be controlled via a rotary dial.

The Toyota RAV4-rivalling CX-5’s suite of advanced drive-assist systems has also expanded to include rear autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and driver attention alert.

Meanwhile, the Kia Sorento-rivalling CX-8 gets all of the above, excluding the 170kW/420Nm 2.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, plus a new grille insert and fresh quilted-leather seat bolsters, both of which are grade-dependent.

Mazda Australia is yet to confirm local timing for the updated CX-5 and CX-8, but expect the former to launch in the first half of next year, while the latter should go on sale around the same time. Either way, most, if not all, of the changes should come here.