Review: Mazda CX-60

Today we are taking a deeper look at Mazda’s CX-60, the new European flagship of the Japanese automaker.

First impressions and dimensions

The new Japanese SUV is a faithful disciple of Kodo Design, the philosophy of the company from Hiroshima. The SUV has important dimensions: a length of 4.74 meters, a width of 2.13 meters, a height of 1.68 meters and a wheelbase of 2.87 meters. The 2023 Mazda CX-60 measures in at 4740mm long, 1890mm wide, and up to 1680mm tall, with a 2870mm wheelbase. The boot space is claimed to be 477L including the underfloor storage space with the rear seats upright, and 1726L with the 40/20/40 folding rear bench sitting flat.

The SUV has a unique design that is most evident in the front with the prominent logo and interesting shapes. The typical radiator grille and headlights are a nod to Mazda’s Kodo Design philosophy. On higher equipment levels, the ornaments become chrome, which is not unusual for a flagship model. The back has a more rounded shape and features modern optical blocks and a four-hole exhaust system.

Interior

Inside, the CX-60 looks very similar to its smaller sister, Mazda CX-5. The dashboard is quite spacious and features a massive central console between the driver and passenger. Although there are several new features, you can still tell you’re in a Mazda thanks to familiar steering wheel buttons and infotainment system controls. Notable technological additions include the 12.3-inch infotainment system that is compatible with wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay, and the fully digital control panel. The new generation of multimedia system has better graphics, clearer menu and faster commands. The virtual cockpit simulates traditional clocks that change color when switching to Sport mode. There is also a large head-up display that has enough space to display important information.

Mazda’s infotainment system and dual-screen dashboard are straightforward, clear, and user-friendly, with physical controls for the heater and a wheel and buttons on the console. The standard head-up display is colorful and reasonably sized, projected onto the windshield.

Right from the start, the car feels geared towards the driver, utilizing facial recognition technology to store individual driver profiles, optimizing the driving position and head-up display based on the driver’s height and eyeline.

While it may not be perfect, the system has a strong foundation, and it allows for personal adjustments. Mazda emphasizes the benefit of a narrow transmission tunnel for improved pedal placement, and it certainly pays off.

The upper part of the equipment levels of the test car features white leather and wood to create a luxurious environment. The space is good even in terms of the rear bench which can easily accommodate up to three adults. The luggage compartment uses CX-60’s full length, offering a minimum capacity of 570 liters and reaching a maximum of 1,726 liters with folded seats.

Engine and driving

Most car manufacturers have downsized their engines, opting for smaller engines with larger turbochargers. However, Mazda has remained committed to its two-liter engines and has even introduced a larger one. In the CX-60 hybrid plug-in that we tested, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine is paired with a powerful electric motor, resulting in a total power of 241 kW (equivalent to 327 horsepower) and a torque of 500 Nm that moves all four wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission. Despite weighing almost 2.1 tons, the car can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in just 5.8 seconds and has a maximum speed of 200 km/h.

This plug-in hybrid can be recharged at a socket and features a large battery hidden under the rear seats to avoid limiting luggage space. The lithium-ion battery has a capacity of 17.8 kWh and can provide up to 63 kilometers of pure electric driving. Recharging the battery at a household socket takes just over eight hours.

When driving the CX-60, you sit high behind the wheel, which provides a good view of surrounding traffic, as is typically desired in large SUVs. Anyone who has driven a Mazda before will feel at home in the CX-60. In city traffic, you can select EV mode or full electric mode, while those looking for a more thrilling ride on winding roads can choose Sport mode, which offers faster acceleration response and more rigid power steering.

The transition between the electric and combustion engines can be smooth and imperceptible at times, while at other times the car may jerk. The automatic gearbox is commendable as it enables swift gear changes. The suspension system is adept at absorbing any bumps or roughness in the road surface. Moreover, the car employs a system during turns that helps maintain a stable center of gravity, effectively preventing roll, which would otherwise be more pronounced given its size.

Fuel economy

Mazda’s official numbers show 1.5 liters/100km (156 MPG). Don’t expect to reach this performance in real world. If we charge regulary expect around 2.9 liters/100hm (80 MPG)

Safety

According to Euro NCAP, Mazda CX-60 has achieved a maximum five-star rating in its latest series of tests. The CX-60 scores 91% and 88% in child and adult occupancy NCAP assessments. It also achieves an impressive Vulnerable Road Users result with an 89% score.
Standard safety features are as follows:

• Kinematic Posture Control
• Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert and vehicle exit warning
• Driver Attention Alert
• Emergency Lane-Keeping with Blind Spot Assist
• Hill Descent Control (AWD models only)
• Hill Launch Assist
• Lane-keep Assist System with Lane Departure Warning System
• Smart Brake Support with Turn-Across Traffic

Pricing

According to Mazda UK, the all-new Mazda CX-60 PHEV is priced from £43,9501. In EU the starting price of Mazda CX-60 is €46,150 in Germany and €49,900 in Italy.