Mazda CX-60

The Mazda CX-60 is a mid-size crossover SUV produced by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Mazda since 2022. It is the first vehicle to use Mazda's rear- and all-wheel drive platform with longitudinal engine layout categorised as Large Product Group, which includes a line-up of straight-six engines. It is also the first Mazda vehicle to feature a plug-in hybrid option.

The CX-60 is marketed in Europe, Japan, Australia and several other markets, while North America receives the CX-70, which is essentially a CX-90 without third row seating. By size, it is larger than the CX-5 and smaller than the CX-9. It is comparable in size to the CX-50, and wider but shorter in length than the CX-8.

Overview
The CX-60 was revealed on 8 March 2022 as part of Mazda's newly established "Large Product Group", which includes a range of larger vehicles using rear- and all-wheel drive layout. Due to the switch to the rear-wheel drive-based layout with longitudinal engine, Mazda is positioning the model upmarket towards vehicles from the more premium segment. Mazda Australia executive, Vinesh Bhindi, described it as a "technical tour de force" and a "step change for Mazda".

The model is a two-row vehicle which uses rear-biased, full-time all-wheel drive marketed as "i-Activ AWD" which is standard in most markets. By adopting a longitudinal engine layout, the front suspension of the CX-60 feature a double wishbone setup, while the rear gets an independent multi-link suspension.

Ceremony of the mass production of the CX-60 was held in late April 2022 in Japan, at Mazda Hofu Plant No. 2 in the Yamaguchi Prefecture. According to Mazda, production of the CX-60 for the European market began on March 15.

Features
The driver cockpit area is equipped with three displays, consisting of a full TFT LCD instrument cluster, a window head-up display (HUD) and a 12.3-inch Mazda Connect centre display without touchscreen functionality; the display can be operated through a "command control" knob.

The CX-60 is equipped with Driver Personalisation System which comprises three functions. The first function is an automatic driving position guide that uses a camera to detect the position of the driver's eyes and estimates the driver's height, then automatically adjusts the seat, steering wheel, head-up display and side mirrors accordingly. Automatic setting restoration uses facial recognition to determine which user is driving, then matches it with adjustments and settings stored in the vehicle including the driving position, audio and AC. The system can store settings for up to six people, plus guests. The last function is an ingress/egress assistance that slides the steering wheel and seat automatically when the driver is entering or exiting the vehicle.

The vehicle also features Kinematic Posture Control system which gently applies the brakes to the inside rear wheel to contain body roll.

Australia
Pricing and specifications of the CX-60 for Australia were announced in November 2022, with sales beginning in June 2023. Three trim levels are available: Evolve, GT, and Azami. Packages include Vision Technology, Luxury, Takumi, and SP; the former two are standard on the Azami grade. Three powertrains are available for each grade: a 3.3L e-Skyactiv-G mild hybrid petrol (G40e), a 3.3L e-Skyactiv-D mild hybrid diesel (D50e), and a 2.5L e-Skyactiv PHEV petrol (P50e), with all wheel drive coming standard for all variants.

The (P50e) PHEV petrol accounted for approximately 40% of pre-orders, while the (G40e) petrol and (D50e) diesel made up the rest of the pre-orders in the ratio of 2:1 (40% and 20%). Targeted monthly sales were set at 500 units.

Europe
The CX-60 was available in Europe from April 2022 in a sole powertrain, the 2.5L e-Skyactiv PHEV petrol. In July 2022, Mazda introduced two diesel engine options, consisting of the e-Skyactiv D 3.3L diesel mild hybrid with two different tunings labeled as the 200 and 254, producing 147 kW and 187 kW, respectively. In this market, the CX-60 is available in four specifications: Prime, Exclusive, Takumi and Homura.

Japan
The CX-60 for the Japanese market was detailed in April 2022. It is offered with four powertrains, consisting of the base Skyactiv-G 2.5L petrol (25S), Skyactiv-D 3.3L diesel (XD), e-Skyactiv D 3.3 diesel mild hybrid (XD-Hybrid), and a 2.5 petrol plug-in hybrid. Two-wheel drive is available for the 25S and XD.

South Africa
The CX-60 was launched in South Africa on 5 May 2023, with two trim levels: Dynamic and Individual. It is powered by a 2.5L Skyactiv-G petrol engine, with all-wheel-drive standard on latter grade. There had been 600 units allocated within the first year of launch.

In March 2023, the Takumi grade was added to the range, powered by a 3.3L e-Skyactiv-D mild hybrid diesel (equipped with AWD).

Philippines
The CX-60 was launched in the Philippines in June 2023, with 2 variants: the mild hybrid petrol 3.3L AWD HEV Turbo and the mild hybrid diesel 3.3L AWD HEV Turbo-D Sport.

Chile
The CX-60 was launched in Chile on 16 June 2023, with four trim levels: The "prime" trim level with a 2.5L Skyactiv-G petrol engine, the "premium" trim levels with 3.3L e-Skyactiv-G petrol or e-Skyactiv-D mild hybrid diesel variants, and a "signature" trim level 2.5L e-Skyactiv PHEV petrol.

Singapore
The CX-60 was launched in Singapore by Eurokars on 21 July 2023, in a sole variant powered by a 2.5L Skyactiv-G petrol.

Indonesia
The CX-60 was launched in Indonesia on 26 July 2023, with two trim levels: Elite and Kuro Edition. Both trims are powered by a 3.3L e-Skyactiv-G mild hybrid petrol with standard all-wheel-drive. The entry-level Pro trim which uses the 2.5L Skyactiv-G petrol (equipped with AWD) was added in July 2024.

New Zealand
The CX-60 was launched alongside the CX-90 in New Zealand in September 2023, with three trim levels available: Touring, Homura and Takami. It is offered with two powertrains: 2.5L e-Skyactiv PHEV petrol and 3.3L e-Skyactiv-D mild hybrid diesel (only for Homura grade).

Powertrain
The petrol plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model was the first variant to be released. It uses the existing 2.5-litre Skyactiv-G engine combined with an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery which resulted in combined outputs of 241 kW and 500 Nm of torque. It has a towing capacity of 2500 kg with a claimed 0-100 km/h figure of 5.8 seconds. Electric only mode top speed is 140 km/h. Mazda claimed that the electric-only range is rated at 60 km. The 17.8 kWh battery can be charged in just four hours from empty to full, if connected to a normal AC charging socket capable of 220 V power.

Other engine options include two newly developed units, which are 3.3-litre e-Skyactiv D diesel and 3.0-litre e-Skyactiv X petrol with Spark Controlled Compression Ignition (SPCCI) technology, both are straight six-cylinder units with 48 V mild hybrid system and was released in late 2022 and 2023 respectively. In October 2022, a 3.3-litre Skyactiv-G turbocharged petrol engine was announced for some markets such as Australia, producing 209 kW.

The diesel engine equipped to the CX-60 features Distribution Controlled Partially Premixed Compression Ignition (DCPCI) technology. An egg-shaped combustion chambers would split the premixed air-fuel mixture into two regions inside the piston bowl. It is aimed to achieve cleaner combustion in every engine speeds and providing better fuel efficiency. Mazda claimed that the six-cylinder diesel engine is one of the cleanest diesel engines in the world with a thermal efficiency of over 40 per cent. With this diesel engine, the fuel economy of the CX-60 is rated up to 19.8 km/l under WLTC standards.

For mild hybrid models, Mazda adopted a 48 V mild hybrid system named the M Hybrid Boost. It consists of a 0.33 kWh lithium-ion battery, an inverter, a DC-to-DC converter and an electric motor/generator rated at 12 kW and 153 Nm integrated into the transmission. The electric motor supports the engine at low loads and low engine speeds, thus improving efficiency in short distances. The battery can be recharged by the engine or via regenerative braking. If the battery is full, the surplus energy is used to power in-car electrical components.

Every model of the CX-60 is equipped with an 8-speed automatic gearbox with a multi-plate clutch and integrated electric motor/generator which replaces hydraulic converter as an input clutch in order to preserve the cornering performance of a rear-wheel drive system. The placement of the transmission was optimised to minimise the transmission tunnel width, allowing for more ideal pedal and seat placement and larger knee space beside the centre console.

Reception
The CX-60 has been compared to premium SUVs such as the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Audi Q5 and Lexus NX, in addition to SUVs from regular 'mainstream' brands. According to Australian publication CarExpert, the CX-60 straddles between "the mainstream and premium mid-size SUV segments", and looked like "it's gunning for the Germans". CarExpert noted its firm suspension that fails to dampen "road imperfections". Top Gear says Mazda is pitching the CX-60 directly at the BMW X3, while noting its cheaper price. The publication praised the efficiency of the plug-in hybrid model, while criticised the dynamics and stability of the CX-60 in comparison to the X3, concluding that "the CX-60 lacks that sense that it's been developed with absolute attention to detail."

Safety
In a Euro NCAP testing conducted in 2022, the CX-60 received a five-star rating.