2023 Mazda CX-8 facelift makes its debut in Japan – lightly revised styling and tech; 3 engines; from RM96k

The Mazda CX-8 has been given a facelift in Japan, with the updated three-row SUV set to go on sale in the country at the end of December this year. In addition to some visual tweaks, the CX-8 also gets some handling and technology updates.

Starting with the exterior, the new CX-8 gets a revised grille with a thicker chrome frame and a mesh pattern insert, the latter replacing the pre-facelift model’s horizontal slats. Elsewhere, the front bumper has a simpler design than before, with a reshaped lower intake and faux skid plate.

The headlamps are new too, blending in neatly with the “wings” of the chrome frame and incorporating L-shaped daytime running lights reminiscent of the CX-60. The headlamps can still be ordered with adaptive LED technology, which now features 20 lighting elements instead of 12 to improve visibility at night.

2023 Mazda CX-8 facelift makes its debut in Japan – lightly revised styling and tech; 3 engines; from RM96k

At the rear, the restyled taillights gain a similar lighting signature as the front with L-shaped elements and the chrome strip on the tailgate no longer intrudes into the clusters. Though not immediately obvious, the rear bumper has been slightly widened for a more purposeful stance. Customers in Japan will also have a new colour options – Rhodium White Premium Metallic – to choose from.

Mazda also offers several design packages, including the off-road-inspired Grand Journey that gets silver skid plates and gloss black side mirror caps. It is joined by the Sports Appearance package with black exterior accents as well as a choice of red or black leather upholstery. The top-of-the-line Exclusive Mode now comes with body-coloured wheel arches and lower body cladding.

Inside, the CX-8 remains largely familiar, with minor revisions being new seat cushions and springs to improve upper body stability during cornering. USB-C ports also make their way into the cabin along with support for wireless Apple CarPlay and an Off-road mode that joins Normal and Sport in the Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) system.

2023 Mazda CX-8 facelift makes its debut in Japan – lightly revised styling and tech; 3 engines; from RM96k

Driver assistance also gets a boost with the adoption of Cruising and Traffic Support, which allows the CX-8 to accelerate, brake, and keep itself in lane at low speeds in heavy traffic. Other driving-related changes include revised springs and dampers to improve body control and optimising the accelerator pedal mapping for models with the 2.5 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine to give a more immediate response.

On that mention, available engine options for the CX-8 in Japan include the aforementioned 2.5 litre turbo unit that makes 230 PS at 4,250 rpm and 420 Nm at 2,000 rpm. Other options in the line-up are a 2.5 litre naturally-aspirated four-pot with 190 PS at 6,000 rpm and 252 Nm at 4,000 rpm as well as a 2.2 litre four-cylinder turbodiesel making 200 PS at 4,000 rpm and 450 Nm at 2,000 rpm.

All engines are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and every variant can be ordered with all-wheel drive as an alternative to front-wheel drive. Six- and seven-seat options are also offered depending on variant, and prices range from 2,994,200 to 5,058,900 yen (RM95,769 to RM161,808).

2023 Mazda CX-8 facelift makes its debut in Japan – lightly revised styling and tech; 3 engines; from RM96k
2023 Mazda CX-8 facelift makes its debut in Japan – lightly revised styling and tech; 3 engines; from RM96k
2023 Mazda CX-8 facelift makes its debut in Japan – lightly revised styling and tech; 3 engines; from RM96k
2023 Mazda CX-8 facelift makes its debut in Japan – lightly revised styling and tech; 3 engines; from RM96k
2023 Mazda CX-8 facelift makes its debut in Japan – lightly revised styling and tech; 3 engines; from RM96k

2023 Mazda CX-8 facelift makes its debut in Japan – lightly revised styling and tech; 3 engines; from RM96k
2023 Mazda CX-8 facelift makes its debut in Japan – lightly revised styling and tech; 3 engines; from RM96k
2023 Mazda CX-8 facelift makes its debut in Japan – lightly revised styling and tech; 3 engines; from RM96k
2023 Mazda CX-8 facelift makes its debut in Japan – lightly revised styling and tech; 3 engines; from RM96k
2023 Mazda CX-8 facelift makes its debut in Japan – lightly revised styling and tech; 3 engines; from RM96k

2023 Mazda CX-8 facelift makes its debut in Japan – lightly revised styling and tech; 3 engines; from RM96k
2023 Mazda CX-8 facelift makes its debut in Japan – lightly revised styling and tech; 3 engines; from RM96k
2023 Mazda CX-8 facelift makes its debut in Japan – lightly revised styling and tech; 3 engines; from RM96k
2023 Mazda CX-8 facelift makes its debut in Japan – lightly revised styling and tech; 3 engines; from RM96k
2023 Mazda CX-8 facelift makes its debut in Japan – lightly revised styling and tech; 3 engines; from RM96k

2023 Mazda CX-8 facelift makes its debut in Japan – lightly revised styling and tech; 3 engines; from RM96k
2023 Mazda CX-8 facelift makes its debut in Japan – lightly revised styling and tech; 3 engines; from RM96k
2023 Mazda CX-8 facelift makes its debut in Japan – lightly revised styling and tech; 3 engines; from RM96k
2023 Mazda CX-8 facelift makes its debut in Japan – lightly revised styling and tech; 3 engines; from RM96k
2023 Mazda CX-8 facelift makes its debut in Japan – lightly revised styling and tech; 3 engines; from RM96k

2023 Mazda CX-8 facelift makes its debut in Japan – lightly revised styling and tech; 3 engines; from RM96k
2023 Mazda CX-8 facelift makes its debut in Japan – lightly revised styling and tech; 3 engines; from RM96k
2023 Mazda CX-8 facelift makes its debut in Japan – lightly revised styling and tech; 3 engines; from RM96k
2023 Mazda CX-8 facelift makes its debut in Japan – lightly revised styling and tech; 3 engines; from RM96k
2023 Mazda CX-8 facelift makes its debut in Japan – lightly revised styling and tech; 3 engines; from RM96k

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