Review: The Mazda CX-60 is spacious, comfortable and powerful, but is it upstaged by its CX-5 sibling?

Published on 15 January, 2023

Overview

Mazda’s new CX-60, our test car this week, is a big and imposing car with an oversized grille and sharp, angular headlights. It’s also Mazda’s first plug-in hybrid.

Combining a 2.5-litre petrol engine with a 17.8kWh battery pack and an electric motor, the CX-60 promises a fuel-sipping 1.5 litres per 100 km and 63km of zero-emission motoring. But as carmakers continue to add bigger and pricier SUVs to their range, you’d be forgiven for wondering what is the point of it all.

This car’s potent combination delivers 327ps (about 323hp) and 500Nm of torque, making it the most powerful road car Mazda has ever produced. Petrol and diesel units are on their way next year, but for now a plug-in hybrid is the only option for buyers.

The interior is one of the best things about the CX-60; it is beautifully finished with smart styling, intuitive ergonomics and materials that feel good to touch. Our top-of-the-range test car was finished with wood and leather blended with chrome details.

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There are also three main instrument displays: a full TFT-LCD driver’s instrument binnacle, a large window Head-Up Display (HUD) and a 12.3in infotainment centre display.

Passengers are also well catered for. There’s ample space front and back, plus the 570-litre boot ensures it’s the most practical car in Mazda’s line-up. However, is it not as big as you might expect or the exterior suggests.

At 4,745mm long, 1,890mm wide, and 1,680mm high, the CX-60 has a 2,870mm wheelbase, so that essentially gives 44mm more shoulder room in the front seats than the Mazda CX-5 and 50mm more in the rear, but you will struggle to spot the extra space.

From the driver’s seat it feels colossal but once on the move things improve; tap the accelerator and there is ample power on demand and plenty of grip. However it never delivers the engagement and dynamics you’d expect, plus it is noisy and thirsty. It also disappoints in terms of fuel efficiency and nothing close to the quoted fuel economy of 1.5 litres to 100km was achieved.

Mazda hasn’t scrimped on safety and there is a comprehensive range of advanced driver assistance systems and several new technologies debut in the Mazda CX-60 including a See-Through View, a next-generation 360-degree monitor with an extended field of view at low speeds.

Four grades are available on the CX-60: the entry-level Prime-Line, the Exclusive-Line, Homura and Takumi. Prices start at €54,100 for the entry-level grade, while our Homura-grade test car is priced from €59,350.

There is a crowded field of rivals including BMW’s X3 (€67,315), the Hyundai Tucson (€43,495), Toyota RAV4 (€54,170), Lexus NX (€63,330), Volvo XC60 (€72,590) Ford Kuga (€44,637) and Volkswagen Tiguan (€54,520).

In a market awash with competent SUVs, Mazda’s CX-60 gives buyers another option, particularly if you are looking for a large family car that will get you from A to B comfortably and powerfully. But the CX-60 breaks no new ground and I would suggest you check out the Mazda CX-5 first — it drives better and offers similar space but — crucially — at a lower price point.

Star rating: 3/5

Under the bonnet

Mazda CX-60 2.5 eSkyactiv-G PHEV Homura
Starting price: €54,100 (as tested €64,200)
Engine: 2.5 litre petrol
Electric Range: 63 km
Transmission: 8-speed automatic transmission
Co2/Motor Tax: 33g/km/€170
Economy: 1.5l/100km
Towing Capacity: 2,500kg