Few new vehicles have been topic to as a lot polarising commentary because the Mazda CX-60.

The model’s newest try at a premium model competitor divides opinion for its appears to be like, pricing, powertrains and extra. Maybe, that’s precisely what Mazda needed all alongside…

From a vital standpoint, international media have had blended opinions. We’ve learn your feedback too, the place some have truly put their hard-earned down and like it… and others not a lot.

Mazda Australia has gone on the document to say that the CX-60 is an alternative choice to premium SUVs, however the goal is definitely present Mazda homeowners who need one thing a bit nicer than the ageing CX-5 and CX-8.

From this angle you possibly can see why Mazda hasn’t completed something drastic when it comes to design – as a substitute protecting issues comparatively acquainted in a package deal that appears and feels a bit extra upmarket.

Right here on take a look at we now have the flagship mild-hybrid petrol model: the 2024 Mazda CX-60 G40e Azami.

Don’t purchase into the “All-Hybrid” advertising and marketing marketing campaign, as this gained’t drive you for brief stints on electrical energy like a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, nor will this large 3.3-litre inline six petrol obtain related gas figures.

However, the six-cylinder petrol is one thing of a unicorn today, with no mainstream competitors providing an inline six below the bonnet, whereas the remaining German rivals with six-cylinder choices will cost you over $100,000.

Is that this range-topper value a glance?

How a lot does the Mazda CX-60 G40e Azami value?

The CX-60 G40e Azami on take a look at begins from $73,000 earlier than on-road prices, and is supplied with the $2000 SP Bundle.

It’s probably the most inexpensive approach into the flagship model of the vary, with the D50e mild-hybrid diesel including an additional $2000 and the P50e plug-in hybrid commanding a $12,500 premium.

That’s in the identical ballpark as a base Audi Q5 35 TDI (from $70,850) and Volvo XC60 ($73,990); and nicely below the most affordable BMW X3 (from $81,700) and Mercedes-Benz GLC (from $103,370). To get a six-cylinder within the Q5 or X3 you could pay greater than $100,000.

Different premium rivals embody the Lexus NX 350 ($77,511) and Genesis GV70 3.5T AWD Sport ($85,100).

The five-seat Volkswagen Touareg is the unique mainstream-gone-premium household SUV and gives solely V6 diesel energy, in addition to shared underpinnings with the Audi Q7, Bentley Bentayga, and Porsche Cayenne. Essentially the most inexpensive variant on sale in Australia is the 170TDI, priced from $89,240 plus on-road prices.

Mazda CX-60 pricing:

Evolve

• G40e M Hybrid: $59,800
• D50e M Hybrid: $61,800
• P50e PHEV: $72,300

GT

• G40e M Hybrid: $67,800
• D50e M Hybrid: $69,800
• P50e PHEV: $80,300

Azami

• G40e M Hybrid: $73,000
• D50e M Hybrid: $75,000
• P50e PHEV: $85,500

Costs exclude on-road prices

What’s the Mazda CX-60 G40e Azami like on the within?

The SP Bundle’s tan Nappa leather-based inside is sort of horny.

With a two-tone steering wheel paying homage to a Vary Rover or Bentley, in addition to quilting on the seats, there’s a really high-end look about it for one thing that is available in on the mid-$75,000 mark. Maybe solely Genesis gives this sort of wow issue for a similar cash.

The entrance seats are fairly snug and supply 10-way adjustment for the motive force (together with lumbar and reminiscence) in addition to eight-way adjustment for the passenger. They’re additionally heated and ventilated within the Azami, which is a pleasant contact.

Forward of the motive force are a pair of 12.3-inch shows; the instrument cluster and the central infotainment system, which solely gives contact performance once you’re stationary. In any other case, you utilize the BMW iDrive-style rotary controller on the centre console.

As we’ve beforehand famous, the instrument binnacle has an ordinary view that mimics typical dials, in addition to a driver help view which is routinely activated every time you activate the cruise. It’s a disgrace there’s no additional customisation past a small widget with a few readouts within the right-hand dial.

The graphics are swish with high-resolution and snappy load occasions, the animations are clean, and switching drive modes modifications up the color theme and a few of the animations.

Should you’re hoping for one thing drastically completely different from different Mazdas when it comes to the general expertise, you is likely to be disillusioned. The Mazda Join interface is principally the identical as in different fashions on a bigger show, and there’s no prolonged on-line capabilities like there are in different markets… but.

There’s satellite tv for pc navigation, AM/FM/DAB radio, wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, in addition to Bluetooth telephone and audio streaming. It covers these bases fairly nicely, and I spent most of my time utilizing smartphone mirroring which labored flawlessly – after an annoying bug that meant it took a few makes an attempt to pair first time.

GT and Azami grades come fitted with a 12-speaker Bose audio system which gives good audio, and might be adjusted to supply a encompass sound expertise and thumping bass. It’s not fairly on the extent of Lexus’s benchmark Mark Levinson sound programs.

Mazda has caught to bodily switchgear for the local weather controls, which is nice. There’s a pleasant strong really feel and motion to them, serving to to uphold that notion of high quality.

Talking of high quality, the match and end is fairly darn good. Every thing feels solidly screwed collectively, and there’s a good ratio of soft-touch supplies to onerous surfaces.

I’ll say, the shortage of softer surfaces under the dashboard, in addition to textured tender plastic as a substitute of stitched leather-like door tops (which you get within the CX-5) is disappointing, and doesn’t give the CX-60 Azami the plush really feel of a Genesis GV70.

There’s a pair of cupholders alongside the shift-by-wire selector first seen within the MX-30, and forward of are the wi-fi telephone charger and USB-C inputs. Storage elsewhere up entrance consists of first rate door bins and a deep cubby beneath the dual-lid centre armrest – so you possibly can open half of it with out disturbing your passenger.

The second row isn’t huge but it surely’s noticeably bigger than a CX-5, and is nearer to an Audi Q5 or Mercedes-Benz GLC – if not fairly BMW X3 or Volvo XC60 good.

Behind my driving place (I’m 6’1) I had sufficient head-, knee- and toe room to get snug, with a great view out the rear home windows. I’d wager two adults can be nice, three could be a pinch. The minimal centre tunnel at the very least means a centre passenger isn’t too impeded when it comes to foot area.

Facilities embody rear air vents – although no separate local weather controls – in addition to USB-C and 150W AC retailers to maintain units charged. The GT and Azami additionally rating heated outboard seats.

There’s a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders, map pockets behind the entrance seats, in addition to ISOFIX anchors on the outer positions and top-tethers throughout all three rear seats. Bottle holders within the doorways spherical out the notable practicality options.

Cargo quantity is quoted at 477 litres “to rear package deal tray” with all seats up, increasing to 1726 litres “to ceiling with underfloor cupboard space” with the rear seats folded.

That’s slightly below 40 litres higher than the CX-5 with 5 seats in use, and practically 400 litres higher with the rear seats folded. Not dangerous, however considerably off the tempo of premium rivals just like the Audi Q5 (520L-1520L), BMW X3 (550L-1600L) and Mercedes-Benz GLC (620L) with all seats in use.

Distant levers to drop the rear seats characteristic within the cargo space, and PHEV fashions have a 1500W AC outlet there too. Delicate-hybrid variations get a space-saver spare wheel, although PHEVs get a tyre restore package.

What’s below the bonnet?

The G40e 3.3-litre turbocharged inline six petrol options 48V mild-hybrid know-how which might shut off the combustion engine below low load and in addition help below onerous acceleration.

The e-Skyactiv G 3.3 develops 209kW (5000-6000rpm) and 450Nm (2000-3500rpm), and sends drive to a rear-biased all-wheel drive system as normal by way of an eight-speed computerized transmission.

In MHEV variations, the 48V system contains a 12.4kW/153Nm electrical motor and a 0.33kWh lithium battery. Mazda claims the CX-60 G40e will speed up from 0-100 in 6.9 seconds, and may run on cheaper 91 RON unleaded gas.

Additional, the corporate says the CX-60 G40e is sort of a second faster to 100km/h than a CX-5 G35 Turbo, whereas additionally being as environment friendly as a naturally-aspirated CX-5 G25 petrol (7.4L/100km).

Mazda’s new eight-speed computerized contains a multi-plate clutch and built-in electrical motor-generator instead of a hydraulic converter as an enter clutch. In essence, the electrical motor in each mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid variations and mechanical clutch happen of a traditional torque converter.

Mazda claims this helps to enhance gas effectivity and throttle response over a traditional computerized.

Towing capability is rated at as much as 2500kg (G40e, P50e) or 2000kg (D50e) relying on engine variant when fitted with a Mazda Real Towing Equipment. Most tow ball obtain is 150kg throughout the vary.

How does the Mazda CX-60 G40e Azami drive?

After having the CX-60 in additional common day-to-day situations in Melbourne, I can say a few of my complaints from the launch drive are not any the place close to as important.

First, the journey. It’s nonetheless a contact firmer than I’d like for one thing marketed as ‘premium’. However with that stated, it got here collectively significantly better within the metropolis, surprisingly.

There’s a firmness to the CX-60 that continuously reminds you of its extra dynamic bent, however in contrast to the uneven high-speed blacktop we drove on between Canberra and Jervis Bay, the CX-60 felt way more sorted on Melbourne’s and metropolis streets.

It communicates imperfections within the street floor and infrequently will thud over sharper hits which isn’t nice, however I by no means discovered it uncomfortable. At worst it was a bit busy or unsettled at occasions.

This firmness has a constructive trade-off in how the CX-60 feels on the freeway and within the bends. It’s tremendous tied down and feels notably dynamic in contrast the majority of mid-sized SUVs each mainstream and premium.

The heavy steering and the agency chassis arrange make for fairly a eager steer, and the way in which the CX-60 feels hunkered down at 100 or 110km/h on the freeway could be very European. It truly conjures up plenty of confidence.

Mazda’s group confirmed that every powertrain variant has slight variations of their suspension tuning. The G40e feels a bit extra lighter on its ft than the D50e diesel – which is firmer, notably up entrance – whereas the P50 plug-in hybrid is a bit softer in tune and maybe lacks the petrol’s finesse in terms of physique management.

The efficiency from the turbocharged inline six could be very robust, and fairly addictive. Whereas the plug-in hybrid has the quickest 0-100, the three.3-litre inline six petrol has extra character and an virtually BMW-like character in its linear acceleration and brassy engine word.

Mazda’s 6.9-second 0-100 declare feels completely plausible by the seat of the pants, and it positively feels extra keen and responsive than the torquey D50 3.3-litre diesel. The oiler kills the petrol for gas effectivity, although.

That rear-drive stability provides the sensation of being pushed quite than pulled, permitting the entrance wheels to prioritise steering quite than accelerating.

On the roll Mazda’s new eight-speed computerized is snappy, however decrease pace shifts might be iffy, sometimes jerking like once you mess up a handbook shift. It could clunk for those who catch it napping once you want a fast burst of acceleration, missing the layer of polish that you simply’d often anticipate of a premium SUV.

Talking of polish, the SP Bundle (and CX-60 GT) seem to get noisier tyres than the usual Azami. The 235/50 R20 Toyo Proxes Sport efficiency tyres wrapped across the gloss black wheels transmit street noise into the cabin than what I bear in mind of the usual Azami carrying Bridgestone Alenza tyres.

In the course of the Drive Towards Despair Winter Drive, which took us from Lilydale by means of a few of the winding roads by the Silvan Dam, I trialled the paddle shifters and handbook transmission mode which proved extra responsive than plenty of different drivetrains – together with the Mazda CX-5 G35 2.5T.

Flicking it into Sport mode, the throttle sharpens up and the steering weighs up a bit. The CX-60 is really fairly a enjoyable factor to punt down a B-road, and the singing petrol inline six makes for fairly an interesting expertise.

All variations of the CX-60 include an array of driver help programs as you’d anticipate, however Azami is decked out with every little thing Mazda can probably throw at it – even when a few of the beeps and bongs are a bit annoying.

Adaptive cruise management with Cruising & Site visitors Assist gives semi-autonomous functionality on the freeway and in site visitors; and as we’ve come to anticipate it really works easily and intuitively. The lane centring perform works nicely, and activating the cruise management switches the format of the cluster to indicate an help system menu entrance and centre with the dials unfold to every facet. I want you might return to the traditional look.

Blind-spot help will actively steer you again into your lane to keep away from a collision with an approaching car, and there’s entrance and rear cross-traffic alert to assist when coming into intersections or reversing out of blind parking spots. Even higher, there’s Flip-across Site visitors Help within the AEB system to cease you for those who try an unsafe flip into oncoming site visitors.

What do you get?

CX-60 Evolve highlights:

• 18-inch alloy wheels, Gray
• Auto LED headlights
• Auto high-beam
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Physique color exterior mirrors
• Facet mirrors with:
  • Energy adjustment
  • Auto folding
  • Heating
  • Auto-dimming
• Honeycomb grille design
• Black wheel arches and decrease cladding
• Distant operated energy tailgate (open/shut)
• G-Vectoring Management Plus
• 10.25-inch Mazda Join infotainment system
• 7.0-inch TFT LCD instrument cluster (G40e, D50e)
• 12.3-inch TFT LCD instrument cluster (P50e)
• Head-up show
• DAB+ digital radio
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• 8-speaker sound system
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
• Wi-fi telephone charger
• Entrance USB-C charging factors
• Rear console incl. USB-C, 150W AC retailers
• Rear 1500W AC energy outlet socket (PHEV)
• Keyless entry, push-button begin
• Twin-zone local weather management
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Electrical park brake with auto-hold
• One-touch energy home windows
• Leather-based steering wheel
• Leather-based shift knob
• Black Maztex upholstery
• Guide entrance seat adjustment

• 20-inch alloy wheels, Black metallic
• LED headlights with ‘darkish signature’
• Rear mixture lights incl. signature illumination
• Energy sliding panoramic sunroof
• Gloss black exterior mirrors
• 2-position reminiscence, facet mirrors
• Physique color wheel arches, decrease cladding
• Gloss black honeycomb grille
• Exterior mirror place reminiscence
• Arms-free energy tailgate (open/shut)
• 12.3-inch TFT LCD digital instrument cluster
• 12.3-inch infotainment system
• 12-speaker Bose premium sound system incl. amplifier
• Driver monitor system
• Personalise system
• Electrical steering wheel adjustment
• Heated steering wheel
• Black leather-based upholstery
• 10-way energy driver seat
  • incl. lumbar adjustment
  • incl. 2-position driver reminiscence
• 8-way energy passenger seat
• Heated entrance seats
• Heated outer rear seats
• Encompass-view cameras

Choices

SP Bundle: $2000 (Azami)

• 20-inch alloy wheels, Black metallic
• Darkish-coloured facet signature
• Gloss black honeycomb-type grille
• Gloss black exterior mirrors
• LED headlights with darkish signature
• Suede dashboard panel
• Tan Nappa leather-based upholstery
• Two-tone steering wheel

Colors

Commonplace: $NCO

• Sonic Silver Metallic
• Platinum Quartz Metallic
• Deep Crystal Blue Mica
• Jet Black Mica

Premium: $995

• Rhodium White Metallic
• Machine Gray Metallic
• Soul Crimson Crystal Metallic

Is the Mazda CX-60 G40e Azami secure?

The CX-60 wears a five-star ANCAP security score primarily based on checks performed by Euro NCAP in 2022.

The Mazda CX-60 was examined towards 2020-2022 standards by sister organisation Euro NCAP.

It scored 91 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 93 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 89 per cent for susceptible street person safety and 77 per cent for security help.

“The lane help system fitted to the Mazda CX-60 confirmed some areas of Good efficiency, though efficiency within the extra superior emergency lane protecting (ELK) eventualities was assessed as Marginal,” ANCAP stated in its media launch.

“Within the frontal offset (MPDB) take a look at, Good outcomes had been seen for the entrance passenger, nonetheless Satisfactory and Marginal efficiency was recorded for the chest and legs of the motive force on this take a look at situation with penalties utilized for potential knee harm danger for occupants of various sizes/statures, and incorrect knee airbag deployment.”

Commonplace security options embody:

• 10 airbags incl. front-centre airbag
• Adaptive cruise management
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • Ahead incl. Pedestrian, Bike owner detection
  • Reverse
  • Junction help (Flip-across Site visitors)
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Driver consideration monitoring
• Ahead obstruction warning
• Excessive Beam Management (auto high-beam)
• Lane-keep help
• Parking sensors entrance, rear
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Encompass digicam system
• Site visitors signal recognition
• Tyre strain monitoring
• Car exit warning

The Azami’s extra security gear might be optioned in each the Evolve and GT grades by means of the Imaginative and prescient Know-how Bundle.

How a lot does the Mazda CX-60 G40e Azami value to run?

Like the broader Mazda vary, the CX-60 is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.

Scheduled servicing is required each 12 months or 15,000 kilometres (whichever comes first) for the G40e M Hybrid and the P50e Plug-in Hybrid; whereas the D50e M Hybrid quotes shorter 10,000km intervals.

Pricing is on the excessive facet, and is costlier than the likes of BMW and Genesis.

Mazda CX-60 service pricing:

The CX-60 G40e hovered across the excessive 8.0s to low 9.0s (L/100km), which is spectacular given the engine’s dimension, the efficiency on supply, and the very fact there was a great quantity of peak-hour commuting blended in with freeway stints.

That’s about 2-3L per 100km lower than what I’ve achieved in related driving with the CX-5 G35 Turbo, exhibiting the effectivity good points with Mazda’s new engines in addition to that eager 48V M Hybrid system, which very repeatedly shuts the engine off below low engine load or when coasting to a cease.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Mazda CX-60 G40e Azami

There’s one thing particular and charming concerning the CX-60, even when it’s removed from excellent.

In flagship Azami specification with the optionally available SP Bundle, the CX-60 appears to be like and feels high-end with its quilted tan Nappa leather-based inside and blacked out exterior accents. The G40e’s petrol inline six is a peach, and whereas it could’t match the hybrid-like financial system of the diesel it gives peppy efficiency and a brassy engine word that requires considerably extra money in rival makes’s showrooms.

With that stated there’s no denying that is nonetheless an costly automobile with some flaws – specifically the polarising agency journey and a transmission that doesn’t at all times play ball with the engine and mild-hybrid system. I’d additionally wish to see related providers and app-based distant capabilities which might be more and more anticipated at this finish of the market.

Is that this spec my decide? My favorite all-rounder remains to be the diesel, however eager drivers not fussed concerning the gas financial system will benefit from the G40e’s efficiency and dynamics. This Azami SP spec may look lush, however the GT with the identical engine will prevent practically $6000, appears to be like the identical externally, and might be had with a no-cost choice Revera Stone mild inside.

Take it for a take a look at drive first on street situations you frequent to see if the journey high quality works for you. It’s a good bit of automobile for the cash, and is unquestionably value a glance for those who’re purchasing at this finish of the SUV market.

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