Mazda CX-8 vs Tesla Model Y

What's the difference?

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. 

My son loved the sun blinds and the cool colour of the seats. He also gives it an 8.0/10.

The Model Y Long Range is the pick of the line-up thanks mainly to its ability to travel further on a full charge, but also the price is excellent. The styling is starting to date, especially compared to fresher rivals with intriguing designs. But the advantage to Tesla is its battery tech and the constant over-the-air updates which will continue to enhance this product long after you've bought it.

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.

The Model Y is a mid-sized SUV, about 4.75 metres long and has an aerodynamic wedge shape similar to the one Toyota’s early Prius had, but with a smooth and flat styling Tesla twist.

The clean and featureless look made the Model Y appear futuristic and modern two years ago but now, with the arrival of other mid-sized electric rivals and their intriguing and attractive designs, the Tesla is starting to appear dated. 

There is a styling update coming to the Model Y, but it won’t be a completely new car, just a few tweaks to keep it looking current. But it won’t do much. I think the time is up on this design.

The cabin embraces minimalism with plenty of clean and smooth horizontal surfaces devoid of buttons or dials. Only the large central screen and the steering wheel exist on the dashboard and in my eyes compared to rival offerings the Model Y’s interior has quickly gone from cool to devoid of personality.

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. 

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. 

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. 

And, as always, I love a powered tailgate, which this has!

Electric SUVs have moved practicality to a level combustion-engine equivalents can’t compete with thanks to their front and back boots and (no transmission tunnel) flat floors maximising people and storage space. 

The Model Y is practical with a 117L front boot and a rear boot with 854L litres of cargo capacity, while the cabin has large door pockets, wireless phone charging and two cupholders up front and in the second row.

The Model Y comes as a five-seater only, but leg- and headroom in the second row is excellent and even at 189cm tall I can sit behind my driving position. 

Back seat passengers also have directional air vents and two USB ports for charging.

Cabin practicality could be better, though. The large centre console is unnecessary as it’s not covering a transmission and driveshaft. We’re seeing other brands such as Kia make use of this area as a storage space perfect for even large bags.

Locking and unlocking the Model Y is done with a key card that needs to be swiped against a sensor in the B-pillar. This worked sporadically for me and I felt like the action could scratch the pillar’s surface.

There’s a phone app which can also lock and unlock the Model Y. We downloaded it and found the functions useful, from seeing how much charge is in the battery, to opening the boot, tracking the location of the car and turning the climate control on to cool or heat the cabin before driving. 

Only the weather changes more than Tesla’s pricing, but the latest adjustment to the Model Y Long Range price had it listing for $72,900. That could easily change again so it might be best to check back at CarsGuide or Tesla’s website for any updates.

At almost $73K the Long Range sits in the middle of the Model Y line-up, above the $64K entry grade and below the $83K Performance.

The standard features list for on the Model Y Long Range is decent and includes LED headlights and 19-inch alloy wheels, there’s the fixed glass roof, synthetic leather upholstery, the 15-inch central touchscreen, power adjustable and heated front seats, a 13-speaker stereo, sat nav, wireless phone charging, dual-zone climate control with direction air-vents in the second row and a power tailgate.

Also standard is Tesla’s so-called 'Autopilot' which is an advanced form of adaptive cruise control which combines braking and steering.  

Anything missing? A sunshade for the glass roof would be good. You can buy aftermarket ones but really it should be built-in. There’s no rear climate control, either, nor ventilated seats.

But the one item that’s not here and should be is a head-up display because the location of the speedo on the central display isn't ideal for keeping your eyes forward and on the road.

So, the price is good but the features list could do with a boost. Really, though, the reason for picking the Long Range grade is because it can travel further on a full charge than any other Model Y. You can skip ahead to the Efficiency section if you’re busting to find out what the range is.  

As for rivals, there are way more now than there were when the Model Y first came to Australia a couple years ago. Back then it was really just the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

Now there’s the Kia EV6 and soon to arrive EV5, the Mustang Mach-E, the Subaru Solterra and its Toyota bZ4X twin, while the Polstar 4 is coming, too.