After the first correspondence acquaintance with the Mazda CX-60, it was time for a real meeting – so, a test drive! And it’s a double test at once: we’ll compare the powerful 3.3-liter 6-cylinder version in the “top-max” style with the more affordable 2.5-liter version in the “enough for me” style. What will the Mazda CX-60 offer in general? And what will each engine offer separately?
Design: classic style, noble proportions
Probably, these are the phrases that can describe the design of the Mazda CX-60: a long hood and a “dome” of the cabin that is pushed back. The doors have remarkable curves that play nicely with the light – it’s interesting to look at the car from different angles. In front, we have small headlights with lighting modules mounted one above the other – an original solution for Mazda designers, who usually just stretched the headlights horizontally. There are also a lot of black and lacquered surfaces: the radiator grille, wheel rims, front fender inserts, front bumper corners – all of these are features of the maximum 6-cylinder version of the Mazda CX-60.
Design of the Mazda CX -60 is both classic and “fresh”: traditional proportions with a long hood and a rearward-sloping interior are combined with numerous new stylistic solutions. In terms of size, the Mazda CX-60 crossover is trying not just to enter the D–Premium class, but even to be one of its largest representatives: length – 4.75 meters; width – 1.89 meters; height – 1.68 meters; wheelbase – 2.87 meters.
The interior is restrained and classic, dominated by black and silver décor. The chrome stripes on the steering wheel, buttons, and ventilation deflectors do not raise any questions. However, the usual decorative inserts painted in silver with a “corrugated baby” already raise questions: from a car trying to position itself in the D-Premium segment, you expect real metal in the interior trim.
Another question is the amount of space: the Mazda CX-60 crossover is noticeably larger than the Another question is the amount of space: the Mazda CX-60 crossover is noticeably larger than the Mazda CX-5 model from the outside, but inside they are about the same. This is probably due to the layout of the Mazda CX-60 with a longitudinal engine and its strong shift to the center of the wheelbase. It’s not to say that the cabin is cramped, but you expect more space from the increase in size. But in the case of the Mazda CX-60, only the trunk is a winner – we have 570/1726 liters.
However, the driver’s position is also good: the high seat position improves visibility, and the strong central tunnel seems to support from the side. And it also provides space for the automatic joystick, which literally fits into your hand. Thanks to the L-shaped switching scheme, you don’t even have to move your hand to operate the switch, but rather the palm of your hand. The steering wheel and dashboard are a masterpiece in miniature (in recent years, Mazda has been “strong” in this on all models): there is a feeling of holding the car in your hands, there is a pleasant interaction with the buttons, there is a beautiful picture of the dashboard for the eyes. This is how you get the impression that the Mazda CX-60 crossover is designed specifically for the driver who will be focused on driving. And only then for passengers who will look at the interior.
The design is restrained and traditional, with a combination of black and silver trim. The front seats made of NAPPA leather offer heating and ventilation, the rear seats are heated and can be adjusted in angle (but in a small range). The trunk is large, there is a side pocket, but there are not enough hooks. A jack and tools are hidden underneath, as well as niches for small items – it’s convenient.
Technology: new platform, big turbo, small hybrid
The Mazda CX-60 crossover is built on a new platform that is the basis of the Large Product Group line: this is the story of all future large Mazda cars. The features of such a platform are generally longitudinal engine placement, all-wheel drive (with an emphasis on the rear axle), wide electrification capabilities (introduction of hybrids) and the creation of new powertrains. This last point is worth a separate discussion.
After all, the Mazda CX-60 test car was equipped with a 3.3-liter gasoline engine with an inline-six cylinder layout – almost forgotten, but now actively returning! This engine also features a direct fuel injection system and a turbine, which already looks promising. But let’s move on and find the MHEV mild hybrid and an 8-speed automatic with a friction package instead of a torque converter: all of this is a first for Mazda.
You shouldn’t expect much from an MHEV hybrid, with only a 12-kilowatt electric motor (17 hp) and a small (0.33 kWh) lithium-ion battery. Such a hybrid system cannot move the car and allow it to travel several kilometers on electricity. However, the MHEV hybrid allows you to briefly turn off the engine on the go and quickly start it, and adds power and torque during the first seconds of acceleration. All in all, 284 hp (5000-6000 rpm) of power and 450 Nm (2000-3500 rpm) of torque are hidden under the hood.
Finally, there are completely new electronics in the cabin. Although the multimedia system is generally familiar from the Mazda CX-30, it features a large 12.3-inch display and a driver personalization system that remembers faces and activates all saved settings. But the fully digital instrument panel is a novelty for Mazda: a 12.3-inch color display, several design options depending on the driving mode, separate settings for adaptive cruise and the I-ACTIVESENSE complex.
The main feature of the Mazda CX-60 in terms of hardware is the powerplant in general: a combination of a 6-cylinder turbo engine, an 8-speed automatic, and an MHEV-hybrid. The main feature in terms of electronics is the fully digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster. The multimedia system has a familiar menu structure, but it has a large display (also 12.3 inches) and an extended list of functions: for example, there is a function for recognizing the driver’s face and setting up all systems.
Behind the wheel: a good result, but there is potential for more
With such a powerful engine under the hood, the Mazda CX-60 crossover immediately relies on dynamics. The first moment of starting from a standstill does not seem to impress, you even have time to start thinking: where is all this? And at this time, “all this” begins to be released with cool acceleration to an equally cool sound reminiscent of a compressor motor. The engine actually “comes to life” at 2-2.5 thousand revolutions and then does not let go until 6+ thousand – it pulls like a volcano!
One stretched out infinite moment of power. It sounds absurd, but somewhere in there it is. At the same time, we looked at the dynamics measurements – and there is only a “departure” of seven seconds. You get the impression that this engine is capable of more. Somewhere around 345 hp, which is already available in the Mazda CX-90: if such a “herd” were harnessed to a more compact Mazda CX-60 crossover, it would be even more interesting! Although, in addition to dynamics and sound in the “everything to the maximum” mode, the engine offers something else – soft traction at low speeds: calm movement around the city takes place with tachometer readings of about 1.2-1.3 thousand. And if you need smooth accelerations, they are possible even without shifting the automatic down, but simply thanks to the engine.
So maybe the Mazda CX-60 is not about dynamics at all, but about solidity? Then the suspension setup, especially the rear suspension, which allows itself to sway, becomes clear. When you drive fast, especially in corners, getting the rear body to sway is a kind of pleasure. But, thankfully, this is how you manage to achieve a certain comfort of movement. The situation with the car’s steering wheel is similar: more than three turns from stop to stop is clearly not about sporty steering. Although if we talk about generally accepted automotive limits, the Mazda CX-60 crossover seems to turn normally, without bumping into a bend.
The main role is played by a 6-cylinder engine, which is assisted by an 8-speed automatic with almost imperceptible shifts.By the way, next to the automatic joystick there is a selector of driving modes: the dynamics depends on the selected mode and start method, but at the maximum – the Mazda CX-60 crossover leaves in seven seconds. At the same time, it can drive around the city with a fuel consumption level of 10.5-11 liters per 100 km; however, this figure can vary significantly: the minimum in the city was about 9 liters per 100 km, with maximums reaching 13-14 liters. On the highway, the car consumes about 6.5 liters of fuel.
Now let’s compare it with what was promised by the technical specifications: acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds; top speed – 219 km/h; fuel consumption in the city – 11 liters per 100 km; fuel consumption on the highway – 6.2 liters per 100 km. In general, almost everything has been confirmed.
Behind the wheel once again: test drive of the Mazda CX-60 2.5 “atmo”
Minus almost a liter of displacement, minus a turbine, minus two cylinders – considerable losses. However, starting from a standstill is fine, with enough dynamics to match the usual city traffic. And under intense acceleration, the engine can “spin up” to six thousand revolutions and growl quite pleasantly: the classic sound of an atmospheric engine! Do you want to drive like this always? Then turn on the sport mode and you’ll be happy. The Mazda CX-60 crossover should always be kept in sport mode to get the most out of the car, this mode has a very noticeable effect on the perception of character and confirms faith in almost 200 horsepower.
As soon as you let go of the accelerator, as soon as you start driving calmly, the overall picture changes. The bottom line is that the Mazda CX-60’s atmospheric 2.5-liter engine lacks the power and torque “down low” to accelerate the car smoothly. Where the 3.3-liter turbo engine simply “pulled” due to its volume and torque, the smaller engine is already asking the automatic to downshift by one or even two gears. And this is sometimes noticeable not only in the movement of the tachometer, but also in the body sensations and the sound of the engine.
However, here’s another thought: in the case of the “2.5-liter engine is enough for me” driver, when all ambitions for dynamic driving disappear, there are fewer questions about the rear suspension. The impression is that the chassis was really tuned to balance handling and comfort. Comments about the “long” steering wheel disappear; however, a pleasant impression of the light front end of the car remains, precisely because of the ease of its direction into a turn.
Another Mazda CX-60 test vehicle was provided in a version with a 2.5-liter engine and also in the maximum configuration. The overall design is unchanged, but pay attention to the details: a chrome highlighted line around the radiator grille, different corners of the front bumper, gray wheels, an insert on the front fender without any inscriptions. But there is no difference in the cabin. However, there is a difference again under the hood: an atmospheric 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 192 hp and 261 Nm of torque, plus an 8-speed automatic and all-wheel drive – as a result, we have 9.7-9.9 seconds to “hundred”. I can’t tell you the exact level of fuel consumption, as I have driven the car relatively little. But from my observations: in the city, I managed to get an average of 9.5 liters per 100 km of travel – and there were free avenues, small streets, and red traffic lights on the route.
Let me remind you that the Mazda CX-60 2.5 has a 0-100 km/h time of 9.9 seconds, a top speed of 201 km/h, fuel consumption of 10.9 liters in the city and 6.8 liters on the highway. That is, I can already confirm that some of the passport indicators are met. In general, such a car will not surprise you with power and dynamics; but if you choose Mazda CX-60 for its design and equipment, the 2.5-liter atmospheric engine will definitely be enough for ordinary daily trips.
Cost: equipment and prices of Mazda CX-60
In the case of the Mazda CX-60, it all starts with the EXCLUSIVE-LINE package: LED headlights, rearview camera, 20-inch alloy wheels, 12.3-inch color dashboard display, leather interior trim, heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats, climate control, I-ACTIVSENSE security package, and Mazda Connect multimedia system. The cost of Mazda CX-60 2.5 EXCLUSIVE–LINE starts from UAH 1.7 million or $45 thousand, the cost of MazdaCX-60 3.3 EXCLUSIVE–LINE starts from UAH 2.05 million or $54 thousand.
In addition, each of the two engines has its own maximum equipment; for the 2.5 engine, it will be PREMIUM-LINE; for the 3.3 engine, it will be PREMIUM-SPORT. But in general, they are similar in terms of expanding the list of equipment: adaptive lighting, surround view cameras, NAPPA leather, a ferry hatch, driver recognition system, BOSE audio, adaptive cruise control, etc. The cost of the Mazda CX-60 2.5 PREMIUM-LINE starts from UAH 2.01 million or $53 thousand, the cost of the Mazda CX-60 3.3 PREMIUM–SPORT starts from UAH 2.32 million or $61 thousand.
A digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch central display, dual-zone climate control, a range of security systems, and a rearview camera are always available in any vehicle configuration. The maximum versions add ventilation to the front seats, BOSE music, all-round visibility, a panoramic glass roof, and more. And now pay attention: yes, you can find competitors of well-known premium brands for $45-60 thousand, but they will be inferior in terms of equipment. Or here’s another example: new Japanese middle-class crossovers already cost $45-50 thousand and offer a full list of equipment, but they will be inferior to the engine. In other words, the Mazda CX-60 crossover seems to be trying to occupy an intermediate position and find something to attract buyers from each market segment.
Mazda CX-60 test drive results
The Mazda CX-60 crossover looks like a specialty dish from the chef of a classy restaurant. But now this dish is not yet finished. They have taken very good and interesting ingredients: a new platform, longitudinal engine arrangement, a large 6-cylinder turbo, a new automatic, new systems; and they have even found a general recipe for combining them. However, they have not yet found all the subtleties that will make this dish a masterpiece. My personal advice: you need to improve the interior trim, adjust the rear suspension, add a hybrid or turbine to the 2.5-liter engine, increase the power of the 3.3-liter “six”…
Although in fact, this car already drives better than several well-known premium competitors. In fact, this 6-cylinder engine is already ready to deliver more power. In fact, only small improvements to the interior and suspension are needed, and all this will have a big positive impact. In fact, the Mazda CX-60 crossover only needs to add a little “spice” and carry out the final grinding – and then it will become a real masterpiece of the cross-car world of these years. After all, Mazda CX-60 definitely has the potential for this.
Loading comments …