The Mazda CX-60 PHEV is the first plug-in hybrid of the Japanese brand in Europe and has the difficult task of tempting customers who tend to opt for the “usual” premium brands. Try to convince with a lot of personality and an interesting price.
The new Mazda CX-60 It is the new flagship of the Japanese brand, standing one step above the CX-5. It not only represents the entry of the manufacturer in a new segment but also represents a pivotal step in Mazda’s bold bid to position itself as a premium brand. It also shows the movement of the Hiroshima brand towards electrification, being its first plug-in hybrid model. In short, the CX-60 is a statement of intent.
The Japanese SUV sports a design that is easily identifiable as a Mazda. Overall the result is a sleek and relatively understated exterior. That it barely attracts attention will not please everyone but at least it can boast that it is not just a larger CX-5 but that it has a personality of its own.
I admit that the design of the front gives me contradictory feelings, depending on the angle I like it or not. The huge grill looks imposing and in side view the very long bonnet with the passenger compartment set back suggests a sporty and powerful appearance. I like the design of the headlights less because they look very small compared to the rest of the body of this SUV, but nevertheless, the light detail that comes out of them and goes through the frame of the grille is tremendously original.
It’s not bad on the outside but where anyone will fall in love is on the inside: the cabin is splendid, very pleasant to the eye and to the touch. Mazda has used high-quality materials, the fittings have been thoughtful, and it has a luxurious feel without being ostentatious. The range for Spain is made up of the trim levels Prime-line, Exclusive-line, Homura and Takumi.
The Prime-line is the most affordable, but for a little more it is worth going to Exclusive-line finish that presents an excellent price-equipment ratio. It comes standard with 20-inch wheels, LED headlights (adaptive matrix as an option), keyless entry and start, browser, digital instrumentation and HUD, heated seats and steering wheel, rear camera and a wide range of security and assistance systems.
Homura finish adds a sporty touch with multiple black details such as the wheels, the front grille grille with a honeycomb design, the exterior moldings, the mirrors, the leather upholstery and even the exhaust outlets. It also has specific bumpers with larger air intakes and the wheel arches are painted in body color.
These last two characteristics are also present in the luxurious Takumi finish, the top of the range. Chrome accents abound both inside and out, the wheels are uniquely designed, it wears white nappa leather upholstery and a heated steering wheel with white stitching, and it sports natural maple wood interior panels. Without a doubt, the most elegant and special.
A car that adapts to its driver, literally
One of the most unique features of the CX-60 is the addition of a facial recognition system. Using an interior camera, the vehicle checks the driver’s face and estimates complexion by eye position and asks for the height in the infotainment system. With this information, the system automatically adjusts the position of the seat, steering wheel and mirrors.
The profile can be modified or saved so that the camera recognizes the driver and puts the saved configuration in addition to applying the personal preferences of the air conditioning or the sound system that have been recorded. Vehicle entry and exit assistance is also configured whereby the steering wheel is up and the seat is pushed back to facilitate driver movements.
Mazda’s SUV employs a multimedia system with a 12.3-inch screen. Unlike other models, it does not take center stage on the dashboard but rather, despite its size, it is integrated into the upper part in a fairly discreet way so that vehicle users do not feel overwhelmed by technology. It has superb picture quality, is easy to operate via a rotary knob on the wide center console, and has wireless compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
In addition, both the air conditioning and the audio equipment have specific buttons that facilitate their use. The presence of these switches does not detract from the elegance of the set and they are pleasant to use. For his part the digital instrument panel with 12.3-inch display it has a good resolution but the display options are limited; the customization of this element is an aspect that can clearly be improved.
The front seats can be heated and ventilated while the rear seats, which are accessed through large rear doors that open almost 90º, they can also enjoy heating. This second row is spacious, although it is not exceptional in terms of leg room for passengers over 1.80 m tall if we take into account its exterior size. I suppose that it is the toll to pay for having a delayed cabin, part of the length remains in the long nose.
By width there is room for three adults without major problems of width and with a central seat less comfortable than those at the ends as usual. There are USB sockets, an optional 150W socket and air outlets, although they do not have their own climatic zone to adjust the specific temperature of the rear seats.
The Mazda CX-60 PHEV features a 570 liter trunk, a generous volume compared to its PHEV rivals. It is large enough to be used as a family vehicle and in its plug-in hybrid version it has the same capacity as the diesel and gasoline versions. The shapes are very regular and usable and a 1,500 W plug can be fitted inside. The volume increases to 1,726 liters if the second row backrests are folded down in this 4,745 mm long SUV.
The CX-60 is the size of the SEAT Tarraco or the KIA Sorento but unlike those models, the Japanese SUV does not offer seven seats but always features a five-seat configuration. It makes sense because their approach is completely different. In recent years, Mazda has begun its approach to the select group of premium brands and with the CX-60 it wants to stand up to models such as the Mercedes GLC or the BMW X3.
The most powerful Mazda in history
Mazda’s benchmark SUV not only wants to be more lavish in terms of size but also in terms of its mechanical options. The CX-60 range will be made up of interesting engines with six cylinders of new invoice in gasoline and diesel that will be offered in 2023. At the moment it arrives at dealerships in a plug-in hybrid version and has all the signs that it will be the variant that will monopolize the most sales when the range is complete.
The CX-60 2.5 e-Skyactiv PHEV It is Mazda’s first plug-in hybrid. Of course, the Hiroshima brand always has its own way of doing things and where others resort to small turbo engines, the Japanese brand has opted to use a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre petrol engine with 191 hp. It is the same block that the Mazda CX-5 already uses.
This mechanism is complemented by a powerful 129 kW (175 CV) electric motor and a lithium-ion battery with 17.8 kWh capacity. The combined power is 327 hp and with it the CX-60 PHEV is the most powerful production Mazda in history. The maximum torque of the set reaches 500 Nm and is transferred to the ground through the i-Activ AWD all-wheel drive system with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Thanks to its cavalry this voluminous model has sensational performance being capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.8 seconds. It’s not as agile as a CX-5, but it still manages reasonably well on twisty roads. It achieves it based on a direction of good touch and precision and a suspension of a firm tare. This damping configuration means that sometimes the irregularities of the asphalt are more noticeable than desirable.
Definitely It has the sporty touch that Mazda always prints on its models. -within what can be expected in a large and heavy hybrid SUV- but it is more enjoyable driving relaxed because the totally new gearbox is smooth but not particularly fast.
In this quiet driving, one of the advantages of electric mobility is appreciated, the silence of the march. The excellent cabin soundproofing makes trips enjoyable even at high speeds, especially when the combustion engine is off. The CX-60 PHEV homologates 63 km of 100% electric autonomya good fact, and the on-board charger (OBC) reaches 7.2 kWh, which allows a full charge of the battery in around two hours.
On varied journeys it will be closer to the actual 50 km which is fine for routine day-to-day journeys. Evidence that plug-in hybrids are the perfect springboard for electric cars. The latter are not yet for everyone, but a PHEV allows you to move daily without using a drop of gasoline at the same time as eliminates any autonomy limit on occasional long-distance journeys.
The Mazda CX-60 PHEV seems to have come at the right time, when plug-in hybrids have gained weight in the market. By design, quality, equipment and behavior it is a convincing option and a turning point to position itself as a premium brand.
The Japanese model has the difficult task of tempting customers who tend to opt for traditional premium brands. It is a very competitive segment but the CX-60 has an ace up its sleeve: a sale price that starts at 52,115 eurosa much lower rate than equivalent PHEV alternatives from Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Volvo or Lexus.