Test: Mazda CX-60 – Plugs with a touch of dynamism

Where does the Mazda CX-60 fit in the SUV landscape?

Mazda has enough confidence to take it a step further in Europe with the CX-60. And why not: the brand builds beautiful products that score high with their pleasant driving characteristics and good finish. With the new CX-60, Mazda wants to benefit from the success of SUVs such as the Audi Q5 and BMW X3. The car has not only the same size, but also a similar technical layout. This is how the engine of the CX-60 is located longitudinally, a configuration that we do not know from the other European Mazda models – except for the MX-5, of course.

But isn’t the Mazda CX-60 much cheaper than the Q5 and X3?

Yes, if you look at the purchase price – which still starts below 55 grand – you can better compare the Mazda CX-60 e-Skyactiv PHEV with the Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid. However, other plug-in SUVs such as Ford Kuga, Honda CR-V and Volkswagen Tiguan eHybrid are not far below that with their price. But with its engine power, the CX-60 has more to offer than the more expensive PHEV versions of the Audi Q5 and BMW X3. The Volvo XC60 Recharge T6 and T8 are an exception to this rule.

Clearly a premium atmosphere in the interior.

Can you tell us more about the Mazda CX-60’s powertrain?

At the moment, the Mazda CX-60 is available in a single engine variant, which is the first plug-in hybrid from the Japanese brand. In the front is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with an output of 192 hp, which is linked to an automatic transmission with rear gears. An electric motor is placed between the engine and the automatic transmission, which in turn produces 136 hp. That brings the system power to 327 hp and a combined torque of 500 Nm.

The electric motor is connected to a battery with a gross capacity of 17.8 kWh. This allows the car to drive about 60 kilometers fully electrically under favorable conditions. Charging is done with a maximum power of 7.2 kW (most Dutch houses with a 16-ampere connection supply no more than 3.7 kW). In addition, you can choose when you want to use the power supply during the ride and recharge the battery using the petrol engine, so that you can cover the last part of your ride home completely electrically.

The cooperation between the engines could be better.

And what about the performance of the Mazda CX-60?

With 327 hp and 500 Nm you would expect the Mazda CX-60 to be a fast car. But in practice, he fails to keep that promise. Because the power must first pass through the automatic transmission before the four wheels are reached, the car feels hesitant to start. You don’t have the ‘instant’ maximum torque that other PHEVs with direct electric transmission have. The high power of the Mazda does not come out, so that the SUV on the sprint is considerably slower than the manufacturer’s specification. Now 7.1 seconds is still an acceptable time, but we have not been able to approach the 5.8 seconds promised by Mazda.

If you rev ​​the Mazda engine it gets unpleasantly noisy. The powertrain lacks the refinement that we know from competing plug-in hybrids. If the petrol engine kicks in or stops, it is accompanied by a shock. For a car that claims to claim the ‘premium’ label, things can be a bit smoother. Another version of the CX-60 with a fine six-cylinder in-line engine is in the pipeline, with which Mazda once again takes a completely different course than all brands that opt ​​for highly tuned turbo engines with a small displacement (downsizing).

How does the Mazda CX-60 behave on the road?

Mazda prides itself on building cars that are fun to drive and the CX-60 is no different. The car is very tight on the road and, despite its size and weight of 1,956 kilos, does not get upset when you take corners at higher speed. The thick stabilizer bars keep the carriage neatly flat and a form of torque vectoring on the rear wheels helps you through tight turns. If you pick up the pace, the front tires will start to groan, without anything exciting happening.

Given the size of the CX-60, there is actually no need for anything exciting. You should not expect the light-footedness of the Mazda CX-30 from the CX-60. Especially when braking into a corner you sometimes feel how the high weight wants to push through. The steering is top again, as we know from other Mazdas: direct enough and not too light.

Then the practical side: what about the interior space and ease of use?

When you get behind the wheel, it is initially noticeable that Mazda has put a lot of work into the finish and materials. A level we have not seen from the brand before. Just look at the center console: the materials used are top notch. But luckily Mazda has also had an eye for functionality. Instead of a touchscreen, the CX-60 has a large rotary knob on the center tunnel, with which you can immediately navigate your way through the menu of the multimedia system. Fortunately, Mazda has stuck to traditional buttons for operating the air conditioning.

Very decent luggage space.

You sit very comfortably in the front, although the adjustment range of the steering wheel is just too small for some drivers. You have more than enough legroom in the back seat and even when the car is equipped with a panoramic glass roof, you don’t easily sit with your crown against the roof – although the difference here compared to the smaller CX-5 is not very big. The trunk offers space for 570 liters of luggage. If you throw the couch flat, no less than 1,726 liters will fit in the cargo hold. The Mazda is allowed to tow a braked trailer with a weight of 2,500 kilos.

What is standard on the CX-60 and which versions are there?

The price list of the Mazda CX-60 starts with the Prime-Line. This version is already quite spacious in its standard equipment. You get 18-inch light alloy, LED headlights, automatic air conditioning with two temperature zones, a digital instrument panel (12.3 inches), a rear seat backrest in three parts (40 : 20 : 40), cruise control, a light and rain sensor, an extensive multimedia system with 12.3-inch screen and navigation and the choice of Normal, Sport, Off-road, Towing and EV driving programs.

The second model in the series is the Exclusive Line. It sits on 20-inch wheels. The dashboard is finished with artificial leather and you get a head-up display, seat and steering wheel heating and keyless entry as standard. The Comfort Pack is available at an additional cost, with black leather, electric adjustment of the front seats, a memory function with face recognition, seat ventilation and fatigue detection.

Speaking of safety equipment: from the Prime-Line onwards, the CX-60 already has a whole range of driver assistance systems and features that reduce the risk of a collision. Blind spot warning in combination with automatic steering correction, warning of approaching traffic when reversing and at intersections and traffic sign recognition are all included in the price. The Exclusive Line adds a high-beam assistant and a reversing camera.

The Homura has slightly different bumpers, a honeycomb grille and black moldings, giving the CX-60 a sportier look. All options that are included in the Comfort Pack for the Exclusive-Line are standard on the Homura. The Driver Assistance Pack is subject to an additional charge. This consists of a whole arsenal of additional safety options, such as adaptive cruise control that is linked to traffic sign recognition, LED headlights with adaptive beam focusing and traffic jam assistant.

Finally, there is the Takumi. This version has a more upscale look, with more chrome and elements in piano lacquer. The interior is finished with white leather and maple wood.

You sit well in the back seat, although a CX-5 is not much less spacious.

The choice of AutoWeek Test Coordinator Marco Gorter

With the powertrain, the choice is quite simple: the plug-in hybrid. In the versions, the Homura and Takumi mainly focus on the appearance of the inside and outside, but the Exclusive Line basically has the most options you could want on board. You can possibly go for one of the option packages, but they are also an option on the more luxurious versions.