Mazda CX-60 – Mazda has launched its second model into the medium sized SUV segment. They already have the CX-5 which is placed in the “below $60,000” category. 
The new CX-60 which comes with some new engines and mild hybrid power, represents Mazda’s unashamed push to premium vehicles.
It has three powertrain options (petrol, diesel, and PHEV) and three feature levels (Evolve, GT, and Azami).
CX-60 Exterior
The exterior is not adventurous in a category that has several manufacturers pushing the design envelope. There is, however, enough identification to pick that it is a Mazda (particularly from the front). It looks refined, but it is not a standout design either.
The vehicle, for example does not make use of modern lighting to create strip lights across the front or rear of the vehicles.
From the side it has a simple horizontal waistline crease (very slightly curved) but not some of the more aggressive, sharp angles and creases that other brands use to give a wedge-shaped appearance.
The overall appearance of the rear of the car is very typically the station wagon look and not easily differentiated from many other similar cars in the category.
There are seven colour to choose from. The standout colour is “Soul Red Crystal”.
CX-60 Interiors
The interior designs are mature in their looks, even plush if you take up some of the option packs.
The top spec Azami model gets the most distinctive interior colour choices including:
- Dark black leather – Luxury Package
- Tan Nappa leather seat trim (a bright tan appearance) – SP Package
- Pure White Nappa leather seat trim and cloth dashboard panel with Kakenui stitching – Takumi Package (may show dirt and wear and tear over time).
The full details of the option packs are shown below.
The interior layout is easy to use and has one feature that I really like. The infotainment screen is NOT a touch screen. To move the curser to a feature you want to select, you twist a dial in the centre console so that the curser moves in steps between the options on the screen. You then press the dial to enter your choice.
It may sound a bit complicated, but it removes the stabling at a screen when you are on the move and hoping you have hit the right area. It takes a little getting used and some people initially don’t like it, but it is a more sure-footed way of moving around the screen.
Powertrains
Mazda has not given up on the internal combustion engine. The new CX-60 has two new in-line six-cylinder, turbo engines; one petrol and one diesel. Both are supplemented by mild hybrid electric motors. The third option is a four-cylinder petrol with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain.
The maximum power outputs at are as follows:
- 6 cylinder, 3.3 litre turbo petrol with mild hybrid:
209 kW @ 5,000-6,000 rpm
450 Nm @ 2,000-3,500 rpm - 6 cylinder, 3.3 litre turbo diesel with mild hybrid
187 kW @ 3,750 rpm
550 Nm @ 1,500-2,400 rpm - 4 cylinder 2.5 litre turbo petrol PHEV
241 kW @ 6,000 rpm
500 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
All powertrains are all-wheel drive, through an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The towing capacities are:
- Diesel 2,000 kg (braked); 750 kg (unbraked)
- Petrol (including PHEV) 2,500 kg (braked); 750 kg (unbraked) –
The diesel capacity is reduced below the petrol figure in order to ensure adequate cooling of the engine,
Because they are only mild hybrid systems the rated fuel consumption results are not outstanding especially the petrol 6-clyinder and its high fuel consumption in urban areas.
Rated fuel consumption figures in l/100km
| Powertrain | 3.3 litre turbo petrol | 3.3 litre turbo diesel | 2.5 litre turbo petrol PHEV |
| Combined | 7.4 | 4.9 | 2.1 |
| Extra-urban | 6.0 | 4.7 | — |
| Urban | 9.8 | 5.2 | — |
Features
The list of features is generally good, but it is in a market that is pushing ahead with safety and comfort features at a fast rate.
Mazda lists 34 features that are standard across the range, the more important one include:
- 25-inch full colour widescreen display (Mazda Connect)
- 7-inch TFT LCD multi-information meter display (6-cylinder)
- 18-inch grey metallic alloy wheels
- 360° view monitor
- 8 speaker audio with DAB+
- Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) with egress support†
- Exterior with power adjustment, auto fold, heating and auto dimming
- Front & Rear parking sensors
- LED headlamps with auto on/off and High Beam Control (HBC)
- Remote operated power tailgate (open/close)
- Rear console with USB-C and 150W AC outlet
- Dual-zone climate control with rear vents
- Satellite navigation
- Smart Brake Support (SBS) with Turn-across traffic
- Apple Carplay and Android Auto (wireless and USB)§
- Wireless phone charger
CX-60 GT Models
If you move up from the base model Evolve to the GT some of the extra features include
- 3-inch full colour widescreen display (Mazda Connect)
- 3-inch TFT LCD multi-information meter display
- 20-inch black metallic alloy wheels
- Driver monitor
- Electric steering wheel adjustment
- Hands-free remote operated power tailgate (open/close)
- Heated steering wheel
- Leather seats with power adjustment (driver & passenger) and position memory (driver)
- LED headlamps with dark signature
- Panoramic sunroof
- Personalise system (auto restoration of settings)
- Premium Bose amplifier and 12 speakers
- Heated seats (front & outer rear)
CX-60 Azami
The top of the range Azami gives some further enhancements:
- 20-inch black metallic and machined alloy wheels
- 360° view monitor with see through view†
- Adaptive LED Headlamps (ALH)
- Cruising & Traffic Support (CTS)
- Ventilated seats (front)
- Personalise system with Easy Entry & Driving position guide
The PHEV has a few interesting features:
- 3-inch TFT LCD multi-information meter display
- Rear power outlet socket with 1,500W AC (PHEV)
Option packs
- Luxury Package (optional on Evolve. Standard on GT and Azami) $4,000: Heated front seats (driver and passenger), Black leather seat trim, Exterior mirror memory, Power seat adjustment (driver & passenger) with position memory (driver)
- Vision Technology Package $2,000 (optional on GT. Standard on Azami): 360° view monitor with see through view, Adaptive LED Headlamps (ALH), Cruising & Traffic Support (CTS), Front Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA)
- SP Package (optional on Azami) $2,000: Tan nappa leather seat trim, 20-inch black metallic alloy wheels, Dark coloured side signature, Gloss black honeycomb grille, Gloss black exterior mirrors, LED headlamps with dark signature, Suede finish dashboard panel, Two-tone steering wheel
- Takumi Package (Optional on Azami) $2,000: Pure White nappa leather seat trim, Bright decoration panel, Cloth dashboard panel with Kakenui stitching, White Maple wood console and door trim inserts
Driving impressions
Mazda says that “the in-line six-cylinder engine is the most naturally balanced engine configuration, and brings other benefits such as packaging, thermal efficiency and crash performance”.
I am not sure what the packaging benefits are as one of the advantages of the V6 configuration was said to be its more compact design, but there is no doubt the new in-line sixes in the CX-60 sound right and perform well. They run freely without a sense of straining. I also found the suspension gives sure footed road holding which shows, for example, when overtaking under power.
The Head Up Display in the CX-60, which is in every model, is excellent. Good information that is presented clearly.
The Mazda seemed most at home on an enthusiastic drive through winding roads. However, the pleasure of more relaxed touring was diminished by non-class leading road noise and smoothness.
Furthermore, in urban situations there were a couple of times when the car gave a decided “cluck” when, for example, slowing down in an uphill situation at slow speeds. While Mazda said the benefit of the eight-speed transmission was added smoothness there may be some further work needed on the integration of the engines and the hybrid systems.
Prices
The base model Evolve is priced (excluding on-road costs) for each powertrain at:
- Petrol – $59,800
- Diesel – $61,800
- PHEV – $72,300
To upgrade to the GT will costs an additional $8,000 while the Azami is a further $5,200 on top of that. This makes the range of prices from $59,800 to $85,500 plus on road costs.
Other thoughts
Good
- The in-line 6-cylinder new engines sound good and go well
- The road holding is solid
- Mazda is embracing electrification
Could improve
- They’re only mild hybrids, so fuel savings are not class leading especially the petrol engine powertrain.
- The road noise and smoothness are not bad but not class leading for the price.
- You have to move to the higher grades and option packs to get the real premium features
- The integration of the engines, the electric motors and their new 8 speed automatic could be better.
Conclusions
Mazda is the second bestselling brand in Australia and in the first half of the year is just ahead of last years sales, but for the month on June they have performed particularly well.
They strive to reach a wide range of customers from their “zoom- zoom” appeal to a reputation of solid dependability.
The CX-60 is pitched at the premium market where Mazda is unashamedly aiming for. It is overall appearance and interior suits that image while its new engines have a spirited performance.
As it moves toward electrification (all Mazda models with be electrified by 2030 although the number that are hybrid versus full electric remains to be seen), they will need to refine their electrification power trains to keep up with the opposition.
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