NEW Mazda CX-60 review: Mazda has levelled up!

The CX-60 is the most powerful, luxurious Mazda ever - and we’ve driven it.

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The new CX-60 represents Mazda's push to go premium and take on established German brands in the upmarket SUV sector – we're talking Audi, BMW and Mercedes.

Plenty of other brands have tried the same trick in the past with mixed results. Lexus, for example, has finally made it work with its latest NX, rising to the top of the class, but for the likes of Infiniti (in Europe at least) the outcome wasn't as successful.

But Mazda has engineering heritage and experience on its side, and it's launching the CX-60 with a very 'of-the-moment' powertrain. It's a plug-in hybrid that combines a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a 17.8kWh battery feeding an electric motor for a total of 323bhp and 500Nm (making it the most powerful road car Mazda has ever built), plus a claimed all-electric range of 39 miles.

In some ways, that latter figure is a shame, because just one more mile would see it drop from the 12 per cent Benefit in Kind tax banding to just eight per cent, upping its appeal to company car users. But there's still plenty to like, with the potential for up to 188mpg and CO2 emissions as low as 33g/km, yet still a lively 0-62mph sprint of 5.8 seconds.

Given the Japanese brand's ambition to take on premium players, we're trying the top-spec £48,050 Takumi model, which really shows the car off in its best light. Mazda is making much of its Japanese heritage with a 'Crafted in Japan' tag line, and the tactile fabric on the dash – highlighted by some intricate and delightfully precise stitching. Light maple wood trim inlays also help it feel good for the money, combined with the attractive metal detailing and soft leather dotted around the cabin. Can the CX-60 haul Mazda into the premium sector? Nicola Hume finds out in this review.

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[eamonnmcdermott]

This will be much more reliable than overpriced german premium rivals.

[smwatson]

Huge credit to Mazda for refusing to engage in the distracting touchscreen mess everyone else is doing. Touch when stationary, wheel when moving is a great compromise.

[jdmguy]

Stunning looking SUV. Mazda are really doing some great stuff.

[garyminion]

Style and looks are subjective, i would take the Mazda on looks above a BMW or Audi. I have owned a cx5 for 3 years and its a great car. The touch screen is disabled when driving from a safety prospective, something you failed to mention. I am going to wait until the straight 6 models are released before i decide.

[smoksho]

"I just want to tap on maps"

There's literally a dedicated maps button by the click wheel and yes it will take you to your apple car play maps same with the music button

[thompson]

I'm on my 2nd Mazda and have loved them both. Never a problem. This is nice to look at for a future purchase.

[matthewgee]

Looks really nice i think. Mazda interiors are generally very nice. This presenter...more annoying than an unresponsive touch screen. 😮

[qb]

£48k? How is that a bad thing? Have you seen the prices of the 308/Astra Hybrids?! They’re £42k and I know for sure which one I’d pick.

If I’m spending over £40k on a car and subject to the increased tax, I’m for sure going to be spending the difference on the Mazda over the Peugeot or Vauxhall.

[nikjgibson]

Good to see you back, I love you slightly off the wall videos - come back soon

[YamaOma_Kunda]

I can’t afford but it has won my heart, I would love it in metallic grey.Mazda makes very good reliable cars

[blessedvillain]

Car reviews are fun to watch again😂❤❤❤

[MATTFL]

My dad has a new cx60 and I don’t know what this reviewer is actually talking about???? It’s supremely quiet on EV mode, my wife has an Audi Q3 hybrid and dads Mazda is much quieter on EV mode and dare I say it but the Mazda is also built better and feels a lot more premium.
This girl isn’t a good reviewer. I’ve watched her before and she seems to have her favourite brands and is extremely biased.

[johnnettleton]

I have had my CX60 for 2 weeks and it is great. The points made by you are superficial and frankly way off the mark. It drives great, powerful, quiet and a great improvement on my cx5. The ev and engine work seamlessly and with a proper 8 speed gesrbox.
The only comment i agree with is the price. And do your sums as its 5 grand to the base BMW x3. Fully loaded to same mazda spec and its more like £12 + GRAND difference.
Yes the bmw and audi may have a prestigous brand but i would not pay the difference.
I have watched dozens of CX60 u tubers and i founnd this video irritating, not accurate and not representative of my experience.

[alainr]

The "rolling" aspect that she describes in this video is not true. Its simply that the specificity of the cx60 is a propulsion (thanks God). This is how all cars should be. The CX60 is perfectly balanced.

[billy]

I have had the CX60 since September. Homura model in red. The top of the range with white leather wasn't for me. I have found out some interesting extras that don't seem to be mentioned by professional reviewers. Through the MyMazda phone app I can set the climate to come on, and the windscreen to defrost, also can set a destination for the satnav on my phone and send it to the car. App even shows the current tyre pressures. Only done 600 miles so far, and that is nearly all short journeys, so have bought very little petrol. Mazda quote 188 MPG. Don't think so!
According to the dash info I have been getting between 88 to 100 MPG. Mazda also quote 39 miles just on electric. Charged to 100%, dash shows around 30 miles range. I have been guilty of showing off a couple of times, and have selected Sport mode. Accelerates nicely with both engine and electric in operation. I had the CX5 before, and loved it, but the CX60 is perfect for my needs. A nice lady even warns me of speed cameras.

[SailingSunRise]

Still waiting for the first reviewer finding out that "touchscreen on when driving" is in the settings. Besides from this a nice review.

[zxgeorger]

No one taking into account petrol is cheaper than diesel so that's really 48mpg for a 2 tone suv with performance. Wow

[ericschmitz]

How a car sits while driving is very important - yet neglected by most reviews...but not here...nice job.

[marwanmostafaequestrian]

I actually drove both the CX 60 and the X3 as well as the X5, BMW are really good with sedans, their X series are actually not that good. If you compare the CX 60 to 3 series or 5 series it will fail. But to be honest it lives up to the X3 as well as the X5 ( I am comparing the plug in hybrid not the diesel or petrol engines) driving experience they are the same, no difference. Now put a trailer on and it’s different. The CX 60 actually is much more smooth with a trailer on than even the X5. And I know cause I drive them with a horse trailer and when driving with a horse how smooth you drive makes a huge difference. - but that’s just my opinion 😊

[winstonthecuttlefish]

BMW, interior quality, in the same sentence? Are you joking or serious? BMW-rivalling, please don't insult the Mazda.