For a while now, Mazdas have sometimes supplied a extra upmarket really feel than rival manufacturers.

Mazda is attempting to construct on that with its new household of Massive Platform structure SUVs, the primary of which was the CX-60 launched right here in 2023, which sit at a better value level than the equally sized SUVs they exchange or complement within the lineup.

Mazda’s Massive Platform SUVs are as near clean-sheet as potential, using a brand new rear/all-wheel drive chassis structure, that includes new inline six-cylinder engines and a brand new eight-speed automated and mild-hybrid system developed in-house.

These specs make them sound extra like rivals for the likes of BMW than, say, Toyota, although Mazda Australia has prevented referring to those as luxurious SUVs.

Whereas the CX-60 vary normally opens at $60,550, or $5550 greater than a top-spec model of the additionally mid-sized CX-5, present promotional pricing places the brand new SUV even nearer to its older stablemate.

WATCH: Paul’s video assessment of the Mazda CX-60 G40e and D50e

Deal or no deal, is it value the additional money to step up from a CX-5?

Strolling to the carpark to select up the CX-60 for the primary time, I mistook it for the CX-5, not helped by its use of Mazda’s lustrous however ubiquitous Soul Crimson Crystal paint.

Come across the entrance and you may see the lengthy bonnet that, greater than the rest, distinguishes the CX-60 from the CX-5. Nonetheless, Mazda missed a trick by not giving this new mannequin extra distinctive styling.

The nameplate is already alphabet soup, little doubt complicated patrons, so some extra distinctive styling would have been a sensible alternative to tell apart the CX-60. However whereas this extra formidable Mazda SUV seems like its extra humble showroom-mate, the driving expertise couldn’t be extra completely different.

How a lot does the Mazda CX-60 price?

The Mazda CX-60 is obtainable with a alternative of mild-hybrid petrol (G40e), mild-hybrid diesel (D50e), and plug-in hybrid petrol (P50e) powertrains, all three of that are supplied in base Evolve, mid-range GT and top-spec Azami trims.

Our base CX-60 wasn’t precisely base, with Mazda specifying the non-compulsory $4000 Luxurious Package deal.

Nonetheless, present promotional pricing accessible in all states bar Western Australia sees the Evolve G40e – already probably the most inexpensive CX-60 – price $56,990 drive-away.

Choosing the diesel powertrain provides an additional $2000, whereas the plug-in hybrid model is at the moment being supplied for $70,040 drive-away.

You’ll be able to view all present affords on the Mazda Australia web site.

To see how the Mazda CX-60 traces up in opposition to its rivals, try our comparability instrument.

What’s the Mazda CX-60 like on the within?

The CX-60 has a pleasant inside, however given how excessive the CX-5 units the bar for the mid-sized SUV section we’d have anticipated the CX-60 to goal just a bit bit greater.

Nonetheless, the CX-60 holds its personal in opposition to the likes of the Lexus NX. Materials high quality is spectacular, with the sprint high among the many softest on the market.

Gentle padding will be discovered on the perimeters of the centre console, too, whereas the tops of the doorways entrance and rear are soft-touch; the bottoms of the door playing cards aren’t, however that’s widespread for even premium mid-sized SUVs.

There’s mercifully no gloss black trim inside. The centre console as an alternative makes use of a mix of matte black plastic and metal-look trim, the latter of which has no actual texture and is in the end unconvincing.

There are additionally metal-look accents throughout the dashboard, however these don’t look particularly genuine both.

The entrance of the sprint is completed in a particularly tender materials, which is sweet, but it surely has a unique graining to the remainder of the sprint, leading to a considerably disjointed look. On some costlier CX-60s this part of the sprint is completed in suede or material.

The Evolve is the one member of the CX-60 vary to function a ten.25-inch infotainment display screen, with the GT and Azami that includes a 12.3-inch unit.

Whereas each screens will be managed with the rotary dial on the centre console, which proves intuitive, solely the bigger display screen affords contact performance for smartphone mirroring.

Anyone who has tried to make use of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto on a display screen with out contact performance can attest it’s rather more cumbersome than controlling these programs by contact.

The shortage of contact performance additionally underscores Mazda’s chopping and altering of its display screen technique.

The model has gone from providing screens that may very well be touched whereas stationary, to banishing contact performance altogether, to as soon as once more providing restricted (however this time otherwise so) performance. All three forms of screens can nonetheless be present in Mazda’s present lineup.

There’s a conventional array of buttons for the local weather management, whereas a quantity knob will be discovered on the centre console together with shortcut buttons for the infotainment system.

As our tester had the non-compulsory Luxurious Package deal, it featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Whereas there’s no capacity to view maps on this display screen, it options enticing graphics simulating a conventional analogue cluster.

Customary on all CX-60 fashions is a head-up show, and this is a wonderful unit with all the knowledge you want clearly seen. We additionally admire the fashionable typefaces discovered right here and elsewhere within the CX-60, a delicate differentiation from lesser Mazdas.

Surprisingly, the bottom CX-60 lacks energy adjustment and heating for the entrance seats, however our tester’s Luxurious Package deal addresses these omissions.

The most recent era of cameras utilized in Mazda merchandise are impressively high-resolution, with the non-compulsory Luxurious Package deal bringing a see-through perform for the usual surround-view digital camera.

By way of storage, there are bottle holders within the doorways plus a shallow centre console bin with a pair of USB-C retailers inside and a softly padded, split-opening lid.

Step out of the automotive and the walkaway locking perform proves irritating – I might virtually hug the automotive as you stroll round to the opposite aspect and it could nonetheless lock, and but on different events I’d stroll away from the automotive and it wouldn’t lock. Finest to only flip this perform off.

Getting into the again is simple, with the rear doorways opening 90 levels. As soon as inside, you’ll discover loads of headroom and legroom, and it does really feel extra spacious than a CX-5.

The driveline hump can be comparatively flat, so legroom for the centre-seat occupant isn’t constricted an excessive amount of.

By way of facilities, there are rear air vents, two USB-C retailers, and a 220V/150W energy outlet.

Youngster seats will be secured utilizing the ISOFIX factors on the 2 outboard seats, or through one of many three top-tether factors.

Open the (power-assisted) tailgate and there’s a claimed 477L of cargo area together with the underfloor space for storing. This expands to 1726L with the 40/20/40-split rear bench folded flat or, quite, as flat as it may be.

There are useful levers within the again that permit you to drop the seats, in addition to a netted compartment to maintain objects from rolling away.

To see how the Mazda CX-60 traces up in opposition to its rivals, try our comparability instrument.

What’s beneath the bonnet?

The CX-60 on take a look at right here is powered by the inline-six petrol engine with mild-hybrid help.

Petrol CX-60s are rated to tow 500kg greater than their diesel counterparts.

They’ve 22kW extra energy than diesel fashions, however are down 100Nm of torque. Additionally they use extra gas – diesel fashions have claimed gas consumption of 4.9L/100km.

How does the Mazda CX-60 drive?

The Mazda CX-60 would possibly appear to be a CX-5 but it surely positive doesn’t really feel like one to drive.

Push the beginning button and there’s a beefy sound from the inline six beneath the bonnet. A inexperienced ‘Prepared’ icon flashes a number of instances earlier than you’ll be able to transfer the clunky shifter, whereas the surround-view digital camera gives a crystal-clear view of your surrounds as you pull out of your parking area.

Right here’s the place the CX-60 hits its first hurdle. At low speeds, the steering doesn’t appear to loosen up, which makes navigating a carpark a little bit of a chore. The steering is just too heavy and that, mixed with the sound of the engine and the delay off the road (extra on that later), makes this automotive really feel large, heavy and uninteresting.

There’s an annoying low-speed jerkiness to the transmission, with the CX-60 heaving repeatedly and dramatically on one event as I drove up my sloped driveway onto the road.

This jerkiness continues as you creep by way of site visitors, with the automobile audibly thunking as you decelerate to cease at, for instance, a set of site visitors lights.

The automated idle cease/begin perform isn’t significantly clean both, although turning it off doesn’t resolve these low-speed driveability points.

Getting again into my very own automotive after driving this, I discovered myself ready for the clunk as I slowed down earlier than realising my automotive’s eight-speed auto is a a lot better unit…

When the sunshine turns inexperienced and also you punch it, you’ll discover the CX-60 actually doesn’t really feel all that fast for one thing with a turbocharged six, even when it does weigh over 1900kg.

Plant your proper foot and let the engine come on track, although, and the CX-60 proves to have good mid-range response and the transmission appears to ultimately pull itself collectively.

Drive the CX-60 alongside any floor in need of, say, the world’s largest billiard desk, nonetheless, and also you’ll discover it rides very stiffly.

Mazda rolled out an replace earlier this yr to suit a revised rear shock absorber, with present CX-60 homeowners additionally in a position to make the most of this at its sellers.

With out driving pre- and post-update autos back-to-back, it’s onerous to inform precisely how a lot the trip has improved. The CX-60 nonetheless, nonetheless, transmits each stumble upon the cabin.

No SUV ought to trip this stiffly until it has, say, M Competitors badging on the tailgate. The CX-60 has the power to make what seems to be a clean floor really feel scarred, as if the suspension is doing a topographical research of the roadway.

It squirms like a cat you’re attempting to decorate in pyjamas, and by no means feels settled. Hit an enlargement joint and also you get a thunk. Floor adjustments are keenly felt.

Right here’s one particular instance. There’s a highway I take a look at automobiles on the place the floor dips down barely for a low bridge throughout a creek, after which dips up once more ever so barely when the bridge ends; the pace restrict right here is 80km/h.

On most comparable automobiles, the transition from highway to bridge sees them take a second to settle, with one rebound movement. The CX-60, nonetheless, was massively upset, rebounding sharply and markedly round two or 3 times.

The Mazda additionally usually feels unsettled on the rear, with sharper bumps showing to jostle it not solely up and down however aspect to aspect.

The trip might finest be described as stiff however bouncy – not an excellent mixture.

Round city, this doesn’t really feel like a premium mid-sized SUV and, maybe extra gallingly, it doesn’t really feel like a Mazda both. Take the CX-60 to a winding mountain highway, nonetheless, and it begins to shine.

That steering that felt so cumbersome within the carpark? The weighting feels satisfying, if nonetheless heavy, and the highway really feel it transmits is most welcome.

The brake pedal really feel is missing, however in any other case this was a delight to drive alongside switchbacks and thru hairpin turns.

The CX-60 feels planted in corners, with a centre of gravity that seems so low it’s possible you’ll neglect you’re driving an SUV.

A few of the roads had been slick from latest showers, however the CX-60 by no means felt missing for grip even in the event you can really feel the delicate rear bias of this all-wheel drive system.

With the CX-60’s excessive degree of noise suppression, knocking it into Sport mode – the place it’ll maintain gears for longer, as is typical of those modes – didn’t see the cabin dominated by engine noise. Which means you’ll be able to take pleasure in a spirited drive in relative peace.

Get onto the freeway and also you’ll discover the cabin to be fairly serene. There’s minimal wind and tyre noise at excessive speeds, with engine noise nicely suppressed.

The suite of energetic security and driver help programs is a combined bag.

The lane-keep help does a great job of nudging you again in your lane, although the lane centring isn’t as spectacular. Some rivals function programs that do a greater job of maintaining you centred, and on one curve within the highway it simply gave up and mentioned Steering Help Not Obtainable.

We just like the neat graphics within the digital instrument cluster, nonetheless, which features a graphical depiction of the automobile and surrounding site visitors, with inexperienced outlining your lane.

Entrance cross-traffic alert works nicely, however I’ve nonetheless but to seek out when that is helpful until you’re a extremely oblivious driver, with the chimes simply sounding each time somebody drives previous you within the carpark or whilst you’re ready to show.

The site visitors signal recognition could be very intelligent. Not solely does it present you the present pace restrict, it additionally warns you nicely forward of time what the pace restrict is about to vary to.

The automated high-beam is a bit delicate, and we discovered it dipping on roads with no avenue lights and no oncoming site visitors.

What do you get?

There are three trim ranges. On take a look at right here is the entry-level Evolve G40e.

Mazda CX-60 Evolve highlights:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Area-saver spare (petrol and diesel solely)
• Tyre restore equipment (PHEV)
• Electrical parking brake
• Auto maintain
• Hill descent management
• Computerized cease/begin
• LED headlights
• Computerized high-beam
• Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors
• Energy home windows with auto up/down for all home windows
• Energy tailgate
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Proximity entry with push-button begin
• Head-up show
• 7.0-inch instrument cluster display screen (petrol and diesel solely)
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (PHEV solely)
• 10.25-inch infotainment system
• Wi-fi and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• DAB+ digital radio
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• Wi-fi cellphone charger
• 8-speaker sound system
• Twin-zone local weather management
• Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel and shifter
• Tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment
• Maztex leatherette upholstery in black
• Manually adjustable entrance seats
• 40/20/40 break up fold rear seats
• 150W energy outlet (1500W in PHEV)

To see how the Mazda CX-60 traces up in opposition to its rivals, try our comparability instrument.

Choices

Two non-compulsory packages can be found for the CX-60 Evolve.

The non-compulsory Imaginative and prescient Know-how Package deal (Evolve, GT; $2000) provides:

• Encompass-view digital camera with see-through view
• Adaptive LED headlights (GT)
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (Evolve)
• Cruising & Visitors Assist
• Entrance cross-traffic alert
• Driver monitoring (Evolve solely)

The Luxurious Package deal (Evolve; $4000) options all the Imaginative and prescient Know-how Package deal additions for the Evolve, plus:

• Heated entrance seats
• Energy-adjustable entrance seats with driver’s reminiscence
• Black leather-based upholstery
• Exterior mirror reminiscence

Is the Mazda CX-60 protected?

The Mazda CX-60 has a five-star security score from ANCAP based mostly on testing performed in 2022.

Customary security tools consists of:

• Adaptive cruise management
• Autonomous emergency braking
  • Pedestrian detection
  • Bicycle owner detection
  • Rear AEB
  • Rear crossing perform
  • Flip-across site visitors perform
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Lane-keep help
• Protected exit warning
• Driver consideration alert
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Encompass-view digital camera
• Visitors signal recognition
• Tyre stress monitoring
• Entrance and rear parking sensors
• Twin entrance airbags
• Entrance and rear aspect airbags
• Entrance and rear curtain airbags
• Driver’s far-side and knee airbags

GT provides:

• Driver consideration monitoring

Azami provides:

• Cruising and Visitors Assist
• Entrance cross-traffic alert

How a lot does the Mazda CX-60 price to run?

The CX-60 is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.

To see how the Mazda CX-60 traces up in opposition to its rivals, try our comparability instrument.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Mazda CX-60

The Mazda CX-60 is a missed alternative for the model, however I’m an optimist. This automobile may very well be mounted and turn into a really compelling different to premium mid-sized SUVs.

Whereas the thought of merely placing within the 2.5-litre turbo 4 and six-speed automated from the CX-5 is tempting, we suspect Mazda engineers might recalibrate this transmission and mild-hybrid system to enhance refinement.

We additionally imagine these engineers might retune the suspension to make this extra comfy. Tweak the steering for a lighter weighting at low speeds and the CX-60 can be within the hunt.

A turbocharged inline-six Mazda on a rear-biased all-wheel drive platform must be much more satisfying to drive than this, even when the CX-60 does boast an ideal chassis.

There’s no query the CX-60 handles nicely, it’s simply that switchbacks and hairpin turns make up such a small portion of the common proprietor’s driving. What issues extra is powertrain smoothness and trip consolation for the city grind, and in each areas the CX-60 falls quick.

If it looks as if I’m being onerous on Mazda, it’s as a result of I do know the corporate is eminently able to constructing autos which are dynamic but additionally clean and refined – its personal CX-5 G35 is only one instance.

Proper after I returned the CX-60, I obtained behind the wheel of a top-spec CX-5 with the turbo 4 and was struck by simply how responsive the powertrain is and the way the suspension, whereas nonetheless agency, doesn’t crash over bumps.

Given the CX-5 G35 additionally affords many of the area and an inside solely barely much less posh for a cheaper price, that’s the place my cash can be going.

Let’s see what Mazda has in retailer for the CX-60’s eventual replace.

Fascinated about shopping for a Mazda CX-60? Get in contact with one among CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here

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