2021 Mazda CX-8 pricing and specs detailed: Update arrives for Toyota Kluger, Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento rival

Mazda Australia has expanded the CX-8 large SUV’s range once again, this time with a MY21 update that ushers in new technology and a six-seat option.

The rare seating configuration is exclusive to the new Asaki LE flagship (from $69,920 plus on-road costs), which is positioned $3130 higher than the Asaki grade it builds upon.

For the extra spend, buyers get two power-adjustable captain’s chairs with heating and cooling plus a dedicated centre console with cupholders and USB ports in the middle row, in place of the traditional three-seat bench that’s otherwise standard.

For MY21, the Asaki LE and the Azami grade have also get a Gun metallic grille, front chrome accents, new 19-inch alloy wheels and larger exhaust tailpipes and as well as quilted Nappa leather upholstery and silver honeycomb trim.

Another new addition to the CX-8 line-up is the mid-range Touring SP grade (from $47,790), which commands a $1000 premium over the Touring it’s based upon but adds a black grille, 19-inch alloy wheels and side-mirror caps.

The updates don’t come for free, with the Sport (+$80), Touring (+$200), GT (+$1390) and Asaki (+$1350) grades all increasing in price.

Inside, the Touring SP stands out with black Maztex/Grand Luxe suede upholstery, red stitching on the steering wheel, doors, armrests and centre console; and black honeycomb trim plus a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and heated outboard rear seats.

The mid-range GT grade and above have also upgraded to a 10.25-inch central display powered by Mazda’s latest multimedia system, as well as a wireless smartphone charger, while paddle-shifters are now found in the Touring grades and above.

Better yet, the GT grade has also added a black grille, new 19-inch alloy wheels, a hands-free power-operated tailgate and metal wood trim for MY21.

These updates don’t come for free, though, with the Sport (+$80), Touring (+$200), GT (+$1390) and Asaki (+$1350) grades all increasing in price.

The Toyota Kluger, Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento rival’s carryover range therefore now starts from $39,990 plus on-road costs and reaches $66,790 (see full pricing table below).

Standard equipment in the Sport grade otherwise includes 17-inch alloy wheels, dusk-sensing LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, an 8.0-inch central display, satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, digital radio, a six-speaker sound system, a head-up display, three-zone climate control and black cloth upholstery.

The mid-range GT grade and above have upgraded to a 10.25-inch central display powered by Mazda’s latest multimedia system.

Advanced driver-assist systems extend to autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, traffic sign recognition, high-beam assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, tyre pressure monitoring, rear AEB, a reversing camera and rear parking sensors.

The Touring grade adds LED foglights, keyless entry and start, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a six-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, heated front seats, black leather upholstery and front parking sensors.

The GT grade goes further with adaptive LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, a power-operated sunroof, a 10-speaker Bose sound system 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 and surround-view cameras.

A 140kW/252Nm 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol four-cylinder engine is available in the Sport, Touring and Touring SP grades, a 140kW/450Nm 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel unit is offered in six grades (Sport, Touring, Touring SP, GT, Asaki and Asaki LE).

Both engines are mated to a six-speed torque-converter automatic transmission as standard, with the petrol exclusively front-wheel drive (FWD), while the diesel has an all-wheel-drive system, but it does get a FWD option in the GT and Asaki grades.

2021 Mazda CX-8 pricing before on-road costs