New mazda cx 60 2023

This is the 2023 Mazda CX-60, the Japanese automaker’s most important vehicle in a decade. Why? Well, it builds on the immensely popular CX-5, and now for the very first time, Mazda has produced a plug-in hybrid with the CX-60. Believe it or not, the combined power output from the PHEV system makes this humble crossover, the most powerful Mazda in history.

While it won’t be coming to the United States, the CX-60 debuts the brand’s intent to take on the mid-size luxury SUV segment in other markets. It does however give us a good idea of what to expect from the upcoming CX-70, heading our way. This crop of upcoming Mazda SUVs should serve as an alternative to premium German rivals, that currently dominate this space.

2023 Mazda CX-60 Performance and Capability

The crossover segment is fiercely competitive and in order to distinguish itself, Mazda had to do something different. They chose to play on their strengths by offering up something that the brand is famous for, a phenomenal drive.

As a result, the CX-60 has an all-new platform called the Skyactiv Multi-Solution Scalable Architecture that’s compatible with a longitudinal engine and rear-wheel-drive layout.

Available Trims

At launch, the Mazda CX-60 is available in three trims

- Exclusive line

- Homura

- Takumihybrid

Regardless of the trim you choose, the CX-60 features the all-new naturally aspirated e-Skyactive 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The gas engine produces 192 horsepower. It's paired with a 100 kW electric motor that produces 136 horsepower.

Combined, the powertrain has an output of 323 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, making the CX-60, the most powerful production Mazda, ever.} Power goes to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox, which you can also control using the paddle shifters.

A 17.8 kWh lithium-ion battery powers the electric motor and it allows the CX-60 to go up to 40 miles in electric mode. This battery supports up to 7.2 kW and you should be able to charge it up in about 4 hours.

Moving on to driving modes, you have five to choose from the Mi-Drive Mazda system standard across all three trims

- Normal

- Sport

- Off-Road

- Towing

- EV Mode

In a bid to improve the dynamics of the CX-60, Mazda has also worked on fine-tuning the chassis, which now blends comfort with driving pleasure emphasizing Jinba Ittai - a feeling of oneness between the car and driver.

With the additional weight of the battery pack, this was a given. However, don’t expect it to be as nimble as the CX-5. The CX-60 has a bigger footprint, however, it should provide a superior drive when compared to the competition.

Performance

Exterior Design

The Mazda CX-60's styling is familiar yet different. You can clearly see the Mazda influence and the front facia might remind you of the CX-5, albeit with a bit more chrome. But the proportions are clearly odd. The long hood and extra length convey its rear-wheel-drive intent and as a result, it doesn't look like your typical crossover that packs a transverse engine.

Further, the lack of character lines and the extra length on the car's sides are clearly influenced by the Japanese philosophy of "less is more.” The contrast between the new CX-60's high beltline and the sloping roofline towards the rear showcase this nicely.

With a wide grille integrated into the new LED headlights as standard, the front appearance is unmistakably Mazda. The tail-lights meanwhile are similar to those on the CX-5.

The base-exclusive line features plastic body cladding and flat plastic trim around the windows and 18" rims. The mid-spec Homura takes a sportier approach with a blacked-out honeycomb grille and larger 20-inch rims along with body-colored cladding.

The top-of-the-line Takumi trim offers a signature bar-type structure on the grille with chrome wing mirrors and 20-inch machined alloy wheels. These changes do make it appear like the most premium Mazda to date.

Exterior Colors

As for exterior colors, only the base Arctic White shade comes as standard. The remaining colors are all optional extras with the Soul Red Crystal being the most expensive of the bunch.

- Arctic White [Standard]

- Deep Crystal Blue

- Jet Black

- Platinum Quartz

- Sonic Silver

- Machine Grey

- Rhodium White

- Soul Red Crystal

Exterior Dimensions

Interior Quality and Technology

Cars like the Mazda CX-5 always had an edge in terms of interior design and build quality when compared to the likes of the Honda CRV, Toyota Rav4, and Nissan X-Trail. But with the Mazda CX-60, the brand now faces a tough task in competing with high-end German SUVs.

To showcase its upscale aspirations, Mazda has seriously up the ante on the inside. Fine materials such as maple wood, metal, and premium Japanese fabrics on the dashboard, complete with Nappa leather interior with contrast stitching on the top-spec Takumi trim. There are few tactile buttons on the dashboard, and the cabin emphasizes sleek lines.

Clearly, one area where the CX-60 shines is with rear-seat legroom, thanks to its longer wheelbase over the CX-5. What should make it feel even roomier is the optional sunroof which should flood enough natural light into the cabin.

The CX-60 is pretty featured packed. Right from the base trim, you get heated front seats and heated steering, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto mobile phone compatibility.

Other standard features include a head-up display, a 12.3-inch screen for the infotainment system, and an equally large driver's display. The Homura trim stuff like ambient lighting, ventilated front and rear seats premium 12-speaker Bose surround sound system.

Another noteworthy tech feature is a facial recognition feature, that makes use of a camera. It identifies your eye level and body size and automatically adjusts the seat, steering wheel, external mirrors, and flat-screen display [Homura and Takumi trims] accordingly.

Interior Dimensions

2023 Mazda CX-60 Price and Availability

Mazda CX-60 Price [Europe]

Here are the European prices for the Mazda CX-60. The CX-60 goes on sale in Europe, the U.K., and Australia. As the name implies, the CX-60 sits above the CX-50, already on sale here.

Option Packages

Given the versatility of the new platform, Mazda will eventually also add a couple of new straight-six engines which include new 3.0-liter gasoline and a 3.3-liter diesel. Both these engines will come with a 48-volt hybrid system and rear-wheel drive.

Safety

The list of safety and driver-assist features is pretty exhaustive as you'd expect for a vehicle in this class. Apart from the airbags and ABS which come as standard, the CX-60 also packs

- Blind-spot monitoring

- Lane-keep assist

- Hill descent control

- Hill Launch Assist

- 360° view

- Turn-by-turn assistance

- Pedestrian detection

- Intelligent adaptive cruise control

- Reverse vehicle approach warning

Main Competition

As Mazda is taking things premium with its CX-60, the primary competitors are the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and the Mercedes Benz GLC. You can also include the Volvo XC-60, Lexus RX, and Land Rover Discovery Sport to that list.

Here's how the base trims of each model stack up. Priced in the mid $40,000 range, all of them offer a four-cylinder aside for the Lexus, which features a V-6. The only other car that has a hybrid option here is the Volvo XC 60, but the CX-60 features a hybrid right from the base trim.

Up until now, compared to the rest of the industry, Mazda hadn’t really embraced electrification. But that’s starting to change. Mazda eased it in with models like the Mazda-2 hybrid and the MX-30, but the CX-60 represents a significant shift in the Japanese brand’s strategy to begin the transition to complete electrification of its line-up by 2030 and this Mazda Hybrid sure does set the tone on where the brand wants to go.

It is part of Mazda's SUV lineup expansion, that will destroy its luxury competitors. It also includes models like the CX-70, CX-80, and CX90, due over the coming two years. The CX-70 with two rows and CX-90 with three rows [set to replace the CX-9] will cater to North American markets. Expect more Mazda Hybrid models to follow suit.

You can catch the Mazda CX-60 in action in the video below