Mazda CX-60 Review 2023

If a plug-in hybrid suits your requirements (i.e. you cover a combination of short and long journeys and can charge a car at home), the Mazda CX-60 is a very appealing SUV. It's great to look at and has a very impressive interior, even if it's not quite as versatile as conventional (and less aspirational) family SUVs like the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace.

The majority of Mazda CX-60 buyers are expected to go for plug-in hybrid power. Indeed, it's the only option in the first instance - it'll be 2023 before mild-hybrid petrol or diesel versions are available.

All Mazda CX-60 models are well-equipped, so there isn't necessarily any justification to spend the extra cash on a Homura or Takumi model unless you just like the plush finishes. Standard equipment on the Mazda CX-60 Exclusive-Line includes black leather seats, a heated steering wheel and a 12.3-inch nav system as well as 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and a reversing camera.

The Mazda CX-60 is locking horns with premium SUVs - notably plug-in hybrid versions of the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Mercedes GLC, Lexus NX and Volvo XC60 to name a few. Badge snobs won't understand the attraction of the CX-60 but it's certainly as impressive as premium alternatives in terms of interior quality, while even top-spec models are relatively affordable.

More mainstream competitors include the Ford Kuga, Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Sante Fe - all of which are available with plug-in hybrid power.

You'll struggle to find fault with the Mazda CX-60's interior finish, particularly if you're comparing it alongside a Ford Kuga or Toyota RAV4. From the satisfyingly clunky buttons to the soft-touch dashboard, the CX-60 feels every bit the premium product - just as well, considering it has the excellent BMW X3 and Volvo XC60 in its sights.

We've long been fans of the way Mazda goes about providing infotainment and the CX-60 doesn't disappoint here. The 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment screen isn't the focus of the cabin, but it is handily positioned high up the dashboard - so you can glance at it on the move without it being too much of a distraction. The digital display is controlled using a physical control on the centre console, which is intuitive to use and feels much less clumsy (and potentially dangerous) than trying to use a touchscreen display on the move.

The graphics are sharp and the menus are easy to operate, while all Mazda CX-60 trim levels come with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. That means you can connect your phone to the car and access third-party apps like Google Maps and Spotify through the digital infotainment system.

Pleasingly, Mazda shuns the minimalist approach to interiors so, as well as the rotary controller for navigating the infotainment system, you also get old-school knobs and buttons for adjusting the climate control or cranking up the volume. As well as being sensibly laid out, these look neat and unfussy, while feeling pretty posh to use (if a button can feel posh...).

All Mazda CX-60 models come with a sharp 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster which is fuss-free, although not as configurable as, say, Audi's Virtual Cockpit. Music fans might want to look for a CX-60 Homura or Takumi as these come with a fancy 12-speaker Bose surround-sound system which sounds pretty impressive to our untrained ears.

The Mazda CX-60 is the brand's biggest car, measuring 4745mm in length, 1890mm in width (2134mm including door mirrors) and 1675mm in height. Those dimensions aren't a huge amount bigger than the Mazda CX-5, though, and - unlike, say, a Skoda Kodiaq - you can't get a seven-seat Mazda CX-60.

The Mazda CX-60 comes with a fairly big 570-litre boot (again, it only just has the edge over the CX-5's 522 litres). Access is aided by a hands-free electric tailgate, with a wide opening providing easy access. The boot's a relatively square shape, too, so packing it for a family holiday shouldn't be too much of a chore. If you need more space, the rear seats can be dropped using levers in the boot. This increases boot space to a pretty huge 1726 litres.

While the rear seats can't slide backwards and forwards, they can be reclined between two positions. There's plenty of space for adults back there, although the middle rear seat is considerably narrower than the outer ones. Carrying three in the back of the Mazda CX-60 isn't something you'll want to do on a regular basis. Still, there's room for two adults, with plenty of head and knee room (the former is marginally impacted by the optional panoramic sunroof).

Those in the front will have little to complain about in terms of space on offer in the Mazda CX-60. You sit high up with big, supportive seats providing plenty of cushioning for longer journeys. A wide centre console provides a generous amount of space between the front seats, while there's the usual mix of cup holders, door bins and glovebox cubbies for stowing away your odds and ends.

In the first instance, the Mazda CX-60 will be available solely with plug-in hybrid power. The brand's first PHEV, this combines a 2.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor providing power to all four wheels. In total, the Mazda CX-60 PHEV produces 327PS and a fairly significant 500Nm of torque. As a result, it feels quick for an SUV of this size, the electric motor providing urgent acceleration off the line. Officially, it'll sprint to 62mph in just 5.8 seconds - quicker than a BMW X3 xDrive30e or Lexus NX450h+.

The Mazda CX-60 uses an eight-speed automatic gearbox which transitions between gears cleanly enough, while the petrol engine kicks in and out relatively smoothly when necessary. It's not seamless, though - you might notice the occasional jerk as the petrol and electric motors attempt to work together. As with most PHEVs, the Mazda CX-60 is at its most pleasant with a fully-charged battery. Even in electric mode, though, it makes a surprising amount of whirring and whooshing noises.

While other brands have been downsizing their engines for years, Mazda's sticking with its 'right sizing' strategy with the CX-60. A large premium SUV needs a large engine, says the brand, so a 3.0-litre petrol and 3.3-litre diesel will follow. Both will use mild-hybrid tech so, despite their size, will apparently provide 'excellent' fuel economy.

If you're expecting electric car refinement from the plug-in hybrid Mazda CX-60, you might be in for a bit of a shock. The petrol engine sounds almost sporty (although it isn't the smoothest in reality) under acceleration, while even when running around under electric power it's far from quiet. There's a distinctive drone from the electric motor, while the chunky alloy wheels of our test car transfer a significant amount of road noise into the cabin.

No matter which trim level you go for, the Mazda CX-60 should feel like a safe family SUV. The sheer size of the CX-60 plus its lofty seating position means you feel anything but vulnerable on the road. It comes with an extensive list of driver-assist and safety systems, too, including a Hill Decent Control system (which controls the car's speed when descending a steep or slippery slope) as well as a Driver Attention Alert feature which pings when you're not paying as much attention as you should be.

For the ultimate suite of driver-assistance tech, you'll need a CX-60 with the optional Driver Assistance Pack. This adds adaptive LED headlights, Front Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Brake, Rear Smart City Brake Support, radar cruise control and a towing mode.

The Mazda CX-60 was awarded five stars for safety when it was crash-tested by Euro NCAP in 2022. 

While the Mazda CX-60 is obviously still very new, the brand has a strong reliability record. The plug-in hybrid powertrain is unproven technology but Mazda routinely pushes the boundaries in terms of mechanicals and it's rare that its cars are anything less than dependable. 

The only blot on Mazda's copybook in recent years have been its diesel engines which haven't always been entirely faultless, especially if used for regular short journeys. That shouldn't be an issue with the CX-60 PHEV, though.

Mazda CX-60 Exclusive-Line models are in insurance group 43, while the Homura and Takumi are in insurance group 44. That means the Mazda CX-60 could be relatively expensive to insure, particularly if you don't have a clean licence or haven't had it for long. It shouldn't be any pricier than any premium plug-in hybrid SUV alternatives, though, but it's always worth shopping around for quotes.

As a hybrid car, the Mazda CX-60 PHEV qualifies for a small £10/year discount on the annual road tax. That's after the first year (which is based on emissions and lumped into the on-the-road price when new), so you'll pay £155/year in VED.

There is a catch, though. As all Mazda CX-60 models have a list price of more than £40,000, you'll be stung by an extra £355 a year in 'premium car tax' for years two to six. There's no way around this - the only way of avoiding it is by looking for an alternative with a sub-£40,000 list price or by buying a pure-electric SUV like the Volkswagen ID.4.

The Mazda CX-60 is available in three core specifications: Exclusive-Line, Homura and Takumi.

The entry-level Mazda CX-60 Exclusive-Line is well kitted out, with standard equipment including 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights (dusk-sensing with high-beam control), a reversing camera, front/rear parking sensors and rain-sensing windscreen wipers. Inside, the CX-60 Exclusive-Line features black leather seats, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, heated seats, a heated leather steering wheel and an electronic parking brake.

Infotainment in the Mazda CX-60 Exclusive-Line is taken care of with a 12.3-inch navigation system (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto). Cruise control is standard, as well as dual-zone climate control and a windscreen-project driver's display. Standard safety equipment includes Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Driver Attention Alert, Intelligent Speed Assist, Lane-keep Assist System with Lane Departure Warning System, Smart Brake Support, keyless entry and Traffic Sign Recognition.

The distinctive Mazda CX-60 Homura adds 20-inch black alloy wheels and gloss black exterior highlights. Inside, the Homura features ambient lighting, electric driver and front passenger seat adjustment, electric steering wheel adjustment, ventilated front seats and heated outer rear seats. The mid-spec model also features Mazda's Driver Personalisation System as well as a 12-speaker Bose surround sound system.

Topping the range, the Mazda CX-60 Takumi builds on Homura spec with 20-inch black metallic machined alloy wheels, body coloured door mirrors and a side window chrome surround. Changes are more noticeable inside, where the CX-60 Takumi features white Nappa leather seat trim, a white maple wood console panel, a cloth detailed stitching dashboard panel and a bright decoration panel.

While the Mazda CX-60 isn't offered with a long list of individual options, there are a number of key option packs available. These include the Comfort Pack which is available on the CX-60 Exclusive-Line (adding 20-inch alloy wheels, Driver Monitoring, electric seat adjustment, ventilated front seats and heated outer rear seats) and the Convenience Pack (available across the range, adding front/rear courtesy lamps, AC sockets, a 360-degree parking camera, privacy glass and wireless phone charging). The Mazda CX-60 is also available with the Driver Assistance Pack (optional across the range) featuring adaptive LED headlights, Front Cross Traffic Alert, i-Adaptive Cruise Control, Radar Cruise Control, Rear Cross Traffic Brake and SMart Brake Support - Rear.