2023 Kia Sorento v Mazda CX-8 Comparison | Ultra-versatile three-row large SUVs go head to head

Can the updated and upmarket Mazda CX-8 upset our reigning Best Family SUV?
The Kia Sorento has been named carsales Best Family SUV for the past three consecutive years, but the recently updated Mazda CX-8 is looking to steal its thunder with loads of luxury and a unique six-seat layout.
While both vehicles are three-row family SUVs, the Kia has a traditional three-seat bench in the second row while a pair of lavish power-operated captain’s chairs grace the second row of the Mazda, giving it a unique point of difference.
The question is which of these two top-spec all-wheel drive turbo-diesel family SUVs is better - the undisputed champion and all-round charmer from Kia or the sumptuous new Mazda? Click play on the video to find out.
Fast Forward
00:00 Intro
01:14 Pricing and specs
02:57 Sorento interior review
05:45 CX-8 interior review
07:48 Infotainment & safety
08:13 Passenger space
12:00 Luggage space
13:30 Sorento road test
15:33 CX-8 Road test
16:55 Verdict
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[@SDOKELL]

Seen heaps of reviews, two things they all miss: you can enable touch screen in settings its a safety option that's disabled by default. Also no one mentions the subwoofer on the spare wheel.

[@turbosloth8575]

Cx-8 screen is a touch screen. Only works when stationary tho

[@alexandralawrence9288]

Great comparison Feann :)

[@vsboy2577]

The Mazda interior is all class

[@OKMadCat]

I just need to point out a few things if you are debating between these two: there is no Mazda challenge… take it from someone whose car has been broken into a few times. It’s not fun. also the duel clutch transmission WILL go out before the standard automatic transmission on the Mazda. Sure Kia has more practical qualities on paper but not in the long run. Mazda is better if you only intend to drive and haul ppl not things. If you’re wanting a car that hauls things and people maybe look at the Honda passport. You can’t have it all with cars, but you need to pick one that makes your money work for you and to be Frank the Kia will not put your money to good use

[@user-hm6qd5oh4v]

The kia outshines the mazda in terms of everything be it design space comfort ride everything just perfect

[@waynewilliams1487]

Saying 3rd row is only good for kids& teens doesn’t take into consideration many teens are larger than parents 😅 no 3rd row is perfect, but sorento is amazing for its compact size with passenger vine on par with traverse(164.2 vs157) it loses respectfully to the largest mid- sized only by 3 cu ft which is a win in my book! Sorento is awesome as a Baby telluride

[@nelson2020]

I'm not sure how Kia can design another Sorento to beat this one - it pretty much ticks all the boxes. The only downside I have experienced is the clumsiness in car parks when the DCT is at its weak point, but switching it to sports mode makes it better but waste more petrol 😊

[@brettharrisphotography7463]

The Ghia pronounced in Korea - KIA Sorento GT diesel AWD hands down as the better car overall.

[@NTWS804]

for an Asian to choose a family SUV, it might be only needed when you kids is more than 1 and they are about 0-5 years old, and you want to bring your parents together for a short roadtrip, after that they are not likely to follow you or your parents will go together as well, Mazda has greater resell value, and a father like me, can sell this to get my favourite car, while Kia only can sell as sxxxx.....

[@MugenTsukuyomi1012]

❤❤

[@Ederson9926]

The storage data in boot of Mazda is obviously higher than Kia when third row up and folded, but he said that this Kia did better in boot space. 12:00

[@anthonypagano6384]

How about putting the kia Sorento up against the ford Everest

[@jeruelnathan1845]

Everest I think is clearly the winner especially the 6 cylinder version

[@YamaOma_Kunda]

Ford Everest is a proper SUV while the Sorento leans more on the crossover category

[@JimBob-vb8oz]

Ford have significant reliability issues and poor customer support. Buy at your own peril.

[@T_Mack9]

It's also about 20,000 more, bit of a lopsided comparison

[@dreamav8161]

Kia looks cheaper, less stylish, thats why it is cheaper. There is no magic formula here. Lots of gimmicks to make you feel you are getting more worth. Thats why it gets the awards (and they spend more on advertising money 🤔). Also lets talk reliability 7+ years down the track. And if you get the non LE Asaki version it has the bucket seats and much faster drop of seats, fold flat as well. Maybe compare apples with apples? The CX8 is meant to be more sporty as well. So it comes down to what ride style you want.

[@carbonseals]

Saying you drive a Kia….sounds tacky. The Mazda is all class and the vehicle build quality is very good, it will give many more years of reliable service. The Kia has 8speed transmission, this will drive me insane, just how many gears does a car need? It’s not a truck, with all these gears it feels like it has a gear change every chance it gets. Carsales got this one wrong, the Kia is the second choice in this comparison