Land Rover Discovery VS Mazda CX-8
Land Rover Discovery
Likes
- Comfortable on-road
- Capable off-road
- Air suspension
Dislikes
- Price-tag
- Wheels and tyres not suited to off-roading
- Spongy brakes
Mazda CX-8
Likes
- Practical family features
- Luxe factors throughout
- Easy-as-pie to drive
Dislikes
- Misses out on a 360-degree view camera system
- Expensive compared to similarly specified rivals
- Low number of airbags for family SUV
Summary
Land Rover Discovery
The Land Rover Discovery is a bit of a classic with 4WDers – and while it’s never attracted a massive and passionate fanbase like its hard-core stablemate, the Defender, it’s done okay for itself.
There used to be a clear distinction between the Discovery and the Defender. The Discovery was always your Landie of choice if you were after a luxurious smooth-riding 4WD, while the Defender was a gruff, rough-riding, hard-core adventure machine.
Read More about the Discovery
Well, with the new Defender being so refined, so well-appointed, so comfortable and so nice to drive – it’s almost like a Discovery in disguise – is the 22MY Discovery even relevant any more?Â
More importantly, does it make sense as your next seven-seat 4WD wagon?
Read on.
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 3.0L turbo |
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Fuel Efficiency | 7.5L/100km |
| Seating | 7 seats |
Mazda CX-8
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.
Read more about
Perfect combination? Maybe. I've been driving it for the last week with my family to find out for you.
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 2.2L turbo |
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Fuel Efficiency | 6L/100km |
| Seating | 7 seats |
Verdict
Land Rover Discovery8/10
The Land Rover Discovery D300 S is a great family-friendly 4WD wagon.
It’s quiet, refined, and supremely well appointed; it’s also very nice to drive on-road and it’s a lot of fun – and very capable – off-road.Â
It’s packed full of driver-assist tech and its Pivi Pro system is a real treat to use once you’ve mastered the art, which doesn’t take long.
But you could say all of those same things about the new Defender.Â
So, is the Discovery still relevant? I reckon it is … at least for the time being.
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Mazda CX-88/10
So, what did my family think about the Mazda CX-8 GT SP diesel all-wheel drive? I love how it performs on the road - it's super easy to drive and you don't notice how large it is in a car park.
There are some great family-friendly features scattered throughout and I like how practical this is too with the extra seats and top-tether points. The multimedia system isn’t my favourite and I would have preferred to have seen a few extra airbags and a 360-degree view camera, but overall, it’s a good family car and gets an 8.0/10 from me.Â
My son loved the sun blinds and the cool colour of the seats. He also gives it an 8.0/10.
Design
Land Rover Discovery
As always, I’ll avoid waxing lyrical about the styling of a vehicle – suffice to say, it looks good.
In terms of dimensions, this Discovery is 4956mm long (with a 2923mm wheelbase), 2220mm wide and 1888mm high.
It has a listed kerb weight of 2437kg.
Mazda CX-8
To be honest, I can't really tell the CX-8 and CX-9 apart on the road. They're both large SUVs that sport the classic Mazda bonnet - sharp and long. Up close, the CX-9 has a bulkier shape but otherwise they are remarkably similar.
The CX-8's darkened grille generates some interest with its lattice-work and there are enough shiny chrome accents scattered about the car that it looks pretty.
Yet, the sporty sharpness that Mazda is known for is still hinted at with its shaping and the 19-inch black alloy wheels.
Our model is finished in 'Platinum Quartz Metallic' and it is the highlight for the exterior styling for me. I think because it's such an interesting colour to look at - it varies a lot depending on lighting conditions. Sometimes, it almost has a sheen of pink to it and at others, it looks like pearly sand.
The interior looks polished and refined with its burgundy leather trim and soft-touchpoints. Again, there is a lot of chrome inside to make otherwise dull features, like air vents, pop out.
Practicality
Land Rover Discovery
The interior has a real premium feel about it, but it still serves as a very practical space.
The third-row seats can be either manually folded down into the floor to use that area as cargo space, or lifted up into a seating position.
There is a load-space cover, light, luggage tie-downs, bag hook and 12v in the rear, and two USB charging sockets for the third-row passengers.
The second row is a 60:40 electric-folding set-up with manual slide and powered recline, centre headrest and armrest, as well as map pockets, and door-moulded recesses. Second-row passengers get two USB C and one USB A charging points, air vents, air-con controls and more.
The front seats are 14-way electrically-adjustable with captain’s armrest, grained leather seat facings with Ebony interior; the Pivi Pro 11.4-inch touchscreen with digital radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; as well as one USB A and three USB C points.
The Discovery has a fixed front and rear panoramic roof.
Mazda CX-8
The CX-8 is a very practical family hauler because there's ample room in all three rows. Yes, even adults will be able to squeeze into that third row without too many complaints!
All rows enjoy well-cushioned seats and up front they are electrically adjustable, but unfortunately, only the driver's side has lumbar support.
The middle row can slide forward manually or by using the electric button found on the side of the seats... but doing it yourself is way faster.
They do slide far enough forward that you won't embarrass yourself too much when you have to clamber into the third row. Where the seats have a 50/50 split-fold and manual adjustments (accessed via the boot).
In the first two rows there are lots of individual storage options but the front enjoys the most. The middle console is deep enough to be useful and I like the dual opening lid. Each row gets a couple of cupholders and drink bottle holders, too.
The charging options are great, with each row getting two USB-C ports and the front getting a wireless charging pad and 12-volt socket.
All of the controls and dials feel within easy reach and the 10.25-inch touchscreen multimedia system graphics are clear.
You can use it as a touchscreen or opt for the rotary dial but switching between the two was awkward for me. Especially, since the touchscreen function is disabled when you are using the wireless Apple CarPlay. This also has wired Android Auto, for those users.Â
The amenities are practical throughout with a dark headliner, three-zone climate control and heated outboard seats and retractable sun-blinds in the middle row.
Good news for families because there are five top-tether points across the back rows and ISOFIX child seat mounts on the outboard seats in middle row, in case you need them.
You can fit a 0-4 rearward facing child seat and it shouldn’t impact on front passenger comfort.Â
My six-year old found it super easy to get in and out of this car because of the 205mm ground clearance and wide door apertures. He enjoyed the high seating position, too, but was disappointed he couldn’t see out of the sunroof!
The boot space is a bit cramped with all three rows are in use at 209L but folding the third row opens up a more respectable 775L - perfect for the average family and its stuff!
The loading space is level, with the temporary spare tyre and clever storage compartments housed underneath. There is a retractable cargo blind and net, luggage anchor points and a 12-volt port, too.Â
And, as always, I love a powered tailgate, which this has!
Price and features
Land Rover Discovery
For reference, this Discovery D300 S has a price-tag of $101,875* (plus on road costs).
As standard, the seven-seat Discovery’s list of features is considerable, as it should be at this price-point, and includes a 11.4-inch Pivi Pro multi-media touchscreen (like an all-in-one vehicle operating system, but more about it later), Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, fixed sunroofs, 3D Surround Camera, height-adjustable air suspension, 20-inch five-split-spoke, gloss silver wheels, and a whole lot of driver-assist tech.
There are also plenty of optional features available, which obviously push the price up the more you add to your Disco.
Our test vehicle was equipped with a stack of those extras and, because of that, its price-tag was $110,910* (plus on-road costs). (Prices correct at time of writing.)
Optional features on our test vehicle include Advanced Off-Road Capability Pack ($3970, twin-speed transfer box (high/low range), All Terrain Progress Control, Terrain Response 2, Configurable Terrain Response; Active Rear Locking Differential $1110; Tow hitch receiver $1000; Leisure Activity Key $960; Black Roof Rails $940; Privacy glass $920; Premium carpet mats $640; and wireless device charging $455.
By the way, the Discovery is available in a variety of colours including Fuji White, which is on our test vehicle, as well as versions of black, blue, grey and silver.
Mazda CX-8
The GT SP diesel AWD is one of the premium models, sitting third from the top and will cost you $65,560, before on road costs.
However, its price tag positions it as the most expensive compared to its rivals. With the closest rival being the Kluger at $65,310 and the most affordable being the Santa Fe at $60,000.
You do get a stylish-looking package with lots of features for your cash, like heated front seats, heated rear outboard seats, a tilt and slide sunroof, and premium leather interior trim.
There's some great tech scattered throughout, too, like the 10.25-inch touchscreen multimedia system, wireless charging pad, USB-A ports in the third row, Bose Premium sound system with 10 speakers, wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto.