Mazda CX-60

Tell me about it

Mazda is one of those car makers that likes to do things… a bit differently. Nowhere is that more evident than the CX-60 medium-sized SUV. We’ll come on to why that is shortly…

In essence though, the CX-60 is the biggest and poshest (for now) model in its range – with a price tag to match. It’s been designed around having a ‘premium’ feel to it, and is supposed to entice BMW, Audi and Mercedes owners into Mazda showrooms.

In fact, this is a brand new model from the ground up, so it doesn’t borrow any major parts from other Mazdas currently on sale. It’ll even be joined later on by a larger, seven-seat model called the CX-80 – but for now, this is the most expensive Mazda you can buy.

Exterior

From the outside, you’d be forgiven for not recognising this as a Mazda at all. Okay, there are some Mazda family styling cues in there – the narrow headlights and five-pointed grille for starters – but the CX-60 doesn’t simply look like a bigger CX-5 or CX-30.

Part of that comes down to the simply enormous front end: Mazda has given the CX-60 a lengthy, high bonnet to accommodate its new range of engines, more of which we’ll talk about later. In side profile, it could even be mistaken for a Jaguar F-Pace or Genesis GV80 – if you squint a bit.

It’s a comparatively large car, the CX-60: a smidge longer than the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and even Land Rover Discovery Sport. Thankfully it’s a hair’s width narrower than all three of the above, so there’s no need for immediate panic when approaching your local multi-storey car park.

Interior

It might come as a slight surprise, then, to find that the CX-60’s insides aren’t quite as roomy as you might imagine. Don’t get us wrong, the boot is a reasonable 570 litres in capacity – more than the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 – but a Land Rover Discovery Sport is considerably more spacious.

That said, there’s comfortably room for four adult occupants – five at a pinch – and the CX-60’s cabin feels much less claustrophobic than that of a BMW X3.

Mazda has really thrown all it can at making the CX-60’s interior as posh as it possibly can. Material quality is excellent, and everything feels typically well screwed together. Even entry-level ‘Exclusive-Line’ trim level feels reasonably plush, with a noticeably more premium feel than the smaller CX-5.

You’ll only experience the full fruits of Mazda’s labour in top-spec Takumi trim, where it’s been endowed with Japanese-inspired stitching across the dashboard, and light-coloured wood inlays across the doors and centre console. How these – and the white Nappa leather seats – will stand up to the abuse of a family is debatable though, so it’s perhaps worth jumping down a trim level if you crave a more practical dark-coloured interior.

Technology and equipment

Mazda has also lavished the CX-60 with all sorts of snazzy electronic toys – some more successfully than others.

The feature that’s been shouted about most is the driver recognition feature, designed to – as you’d imagine – recognise whichever driver has hopped behind the wheel, and adjust the seat, mirrors and steering wheel accordingly. Take it from us, though: it doesn’t work, and is best turned off.

Thankfully though, everything else seems to function with typical Mazda grace and decorum. The CX-60 gets the same infotainment system as other, newer Mazdas like the 3 and CX-30, and for the most part works well.

Where the CX-60 really beats its posher German rivals is in the standard equipment. Even entry-level ‘Exclusive-Line’ models get heated front seats, heated steering wheel, head-up display, parking sensors, reversing camera and a powered boot lid – much more than you’ll find on a BMW X3.

Mazda, like most other car makers, also offer an app to control various elements of the car. For the plug-in hybrid CX-60 this includes pre-heating and cooling the cabin, as well as stopping and starting charging on demand.

Safety and security

The CX-60 gets a full five-star EuroNCAP rating, making it one of the safest cars of its type. Whichever specification you chose, the CX-60 comes loaded with safety kit: blind spot monitoring is standard, as is rear cross traffic alert and ‘pre-crash safety’ (automatic braking, in other words).

Various other safety features – front cross traffic alert, rear smart brake support, adaptive cruise control, 360 cameras and so on – are available through additional option packs.

Security is covered in the form of a Thatcham Category 1-certified alarm and immobiliser, while the Mazda app can also alert you if you forget to lock the car, or indeed the alarm is activated.

Engines and performance

Here’s where things get really interesting. There’s currently three engine choices for the CX-60: a 2.5-litre petrol plug-in hybrid, and more interestingly, two flavours of the same 3.3-litre diesel engine.

That brand new diesel engine is something a bit special, too. It’s an ‘Inline Six’, meaning there’s six cylinders rather than the usual four – and this is a type of engine that you’ll usually only find under the bonnet of a BMW.

As a result, it sounds and feels – for a diesel – fantastic, with smooth power delivery and an addictive soundtrack to match. It also manages over 50mpg if driven gently, which is quite an achievement for a car of this weight and size.

Sadly, you probably won’t buy that: the plug-in hybrid model is likely to make more financial sense, provided you have the facilities to charge its 17.8kWh battery. It’s also quicker than the diesel, with a 0-60mph figure of just over five seconds, and is better suited to the urban stop-start traffic most of us have to put up with every day.

Strangely though, the diesel is a more enjoyable car to drive. The plug-in hybrid version is far from the best car of its type on sale, with a noisy, jerky gearbox and a rather whiney petrol engine. The diesel version still isn’t the most refined experience, but it’s considerably better than the alternative.

Ride and handling

Mazda has a reputation for building cars that handle superbly – just look at the enduring MX-5 roadster for proof. Unfortunately, it’s dropped the ball a bit when it comes to the CX-60.

Let’s start with the good bits. Mazda has generously given this car a platform with a rear-wheel-drive bias, meaning that even in four-wheel-drive models, the majority of the power is sent to the back wheels. That helps the CX-60 corner with a bit more finesse than front-biased rivals like the Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60.

What’s not so good is the ride comfort: Mazda has given the CX-60 suspension that’s somehow both overly firm and needlessly bouncy. The heavy plug-in hybrid models are particularly bad in this regard, but even the (slightly) lighter diesel versions are disappointing.

By comparison, Mazda’s smaller CX-5 is like floating on a cushion of air, so if ride comfort is your priority consider looking there instead. The more expensive BMW X3 meanwhile, both handles and rides better than the CX-60.

Should I buy a Mazda CX-60?

The CX-60 is a good first attempt at a large, posh SUV from Mazda. There are things that really should be praised, like introducing a superb new six-cylinder diesel engine at a time when most manufacturers are going in the opposite direction.

But in many ways, the CX-60 feels a tad unfinished. The ride quality is poor – an unusual thing in a Mazda – and it’s disappointing that its in-car technology doesn’t always work properly.

Its real saving grace is that fantastic 3.3-litre diesel, which gives it the ability to compete with the BMW X3 xDrive30d at a considerably lower price.

If you’re considering the plug-in hybrid model though, make sure you’ve driven rivals like the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in before you sign on the dotted line.