The CX-60 will compete with similar offerings from BMW, Mercedes, and Genesis in Europe, with the larger US-spec CX-70 arriving later.
Mazda kicked off its refreshed crossover platform the all-new CX-60! The SUV starts Mazda’s transition into a premium brand, offering a rear-wheel-drive layout and a longitudinal engine configuration, similar to BMW and Mercedes. As such, it allows more room for all-new inline-6 engines, but there is also a plug-in hybrid option.
The CX-60 will sit above the CX-5 in Mazda’s lineup as a more souped-up and sophisticated SUV with a load of high-tech features.
The first and most obvious change is the design. Due to the different arrangement, the CX-60 has much shorter overhangs, especially at the front, with the front wheels pushed to the corners. The bonnet is also much longer, while the windscreen is less steep. As a result, it also looks bigger and bolder than its sibling, stretching 7 inches longer and 1.7 inches wider overall.
At the front fascia, it carries over Mazda’s familiar design philosophy, featuring two sleek headlamps, but it employs a sizably larger grille with a giant Mazda logo. Meanwhile, a chrome strip sits around the grille, air curtains, and a front splitter.
The remaining design cues are identical to its smaller sibling. However, the differences arise depending on the grade. Mazda offers the Exclusive-Line, Takumi, and Homura for European customers with additional driver packages — Convenience Pack, Comfort Pack, and Driver Assistance Pack. Picking the Takumi or Homura over the Exclusive-Line, the CX-60 receives additional details such as body-colored wheel arch moldings, black mirror caps, and 20-inch blacked-out alloys, giving it an extra ounce of sophistication.
Moving over to its side profile, the extra dimensions are fairly conspicuous, with a longer frontal area along with an increase in wheelbase. The remaining design cues are identical to its smaller sibling. However, the differences arise depending on the grade of the SUV chosen. Mazda offers the Exclusive-Line, Takumi, and Homura for European customers with additional driver packages — Convenience Pack, Comfort Pack, and Driver Assistance Pack. Picking the Takumi or Homura over the Exclusive-Line, the CX-60 receives additional details such as body-colored wheel arch moldings, black mirror caps, and 20-inch blacked-out alloys for an extra ounce of sophistication.
On the technical front, the new CX-60 is manufactured using Mazda’s new scalable SkyActiv architecture with a rigid body frame. Moreover, it features a double-wishbone suspension setup at the front, plus a multi-link unit at the rear, combining a comfortable ride and agile handling.
Under the bonnet, Mazda employs three new powertrains, with the e-SkyActiv plug-in hybrid being the most important for the European market. It comprises a 2.5-liter N/A i4 and an electric motor with a 17.8-kWh battery pack, putting out a combined 324 hp and 368 lb-ft of torque. This allows it to accelerate from 0-60 mph in an impressive 5.8 seconds, making it the quickest vehicle in Mazda’s lineup. Meanwhile, the battery has enough juice for a 39-mile range.
Customers can also opt for 3.3-liter i6 SkyActiv X petrol or a SkyActiv D diesel engine with a 48V mild-hybrid system. While the PHEV is equipped with AWD as standard, the other two models are RWD only.
Moving on, the cabin in the new CX-60 represents a big leap ahead in terms of quality over its predecessors. It is represented by brightly colored surfaces using various materials such as Nappa leather and a mixture of Japanese textiles with indigenous stitching techniques on the instrument panel (Kakenui) and door trims (Musubu) displaying the craftsmanship in full detail. Furthermore, the SUV is loaded with the latest technologies, including a 12.3-in infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, five driving modes, a sunroof, an automatic driving position adjustment tool, etc.
Mazda priced the new CX-60 from $57,595 for the Exclusive-Line to $61,200 for the Homura. The company further announced that the SUV would begin rolling out to European markets this autumn, with a larger three-row CX-80 in the works.
North America will most likely receive larger rebadged versions of the above with the CX-70 and CX-90 titles, both with a slightly longer wheelbase and overall dimensions. It’s still unclear if we’ll get the new inline-6 powertrains, but we certainly do hope so!
Gallery: Mazda CX-60
