Mazda CX-60 3.3D AWD Takumi review

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The Mazda CX-60 is not exactly a brand-new car. Due to the vagaries of global automotive supply chains, the one-million-Rand SUV has been around since 2023 in other markets. However, don’t let that dissuade you. Because, as you’ll see, this sophisticated family SUV might actually be worth the tall pile of cash needed to purchase one …

Principle to the argument is Mazda’s ever-evolving ‘Kodo’ design language. Genuinely, the Mazda CX-60 is something to behold in the metal. Cover up the badges fore and aft, and I believe it could pass for a similarly sized Jaguar, Alfa Romeo or Maserati even. It’s handsome in a familiar, yet understated way. Like that person at a party drawing everyone’s attention purely because they exude a quiet confidence.

MAZDA CX-60 3.3D AWD TAKUMI

This particular test unit is absolutely brand new, with barely 1 000 km on the clock when we began our road test. The Takumi trim adds premium touches like the 20-inch machined alloy wheels, wrapped in Japanese Toyo tyres, 360-degree cameras and a slick double sunroof.

Beneath the bonnet of the Mazda CX-60 is its much-talked about party piece – a silky-smooth 3.3-litre inline six-cylinder turbodiesel engine with 48V mild-hybrid wizardry. On the move, this Japanese SUV has an uncanny ‘BMWness’ to it. Like Mazda’s engineers went to Bavaria and kidnapped a BMW powertrain designer. Then engineered something even better …

The result is an engine that purrs like a contented cat when you’re cruising, but snarls like a tiger when you bury your foot and go for an overtake. The claimed zero to 100 km/h sprint time is in the seven-second range. However, tractability from 80 km/h to 120 km/h is simply exemplary. That’s thanks to 187 kW and 550 Nm of turbodiesel power with that 48V get up and go.

INTERIOR MOTIVES

Climb inside, and you’re greeted by what can only be described as a solid if slightly austere Japanese interior. As someone familiar with the great CX-5 and other classing-leading Mazdas, I think it’s well judged. Ergonomically, everything falls easily to hand. However, new-money buyers courting tech-heavy Chinese cars might find the cabin a little ‘old school.’

Craftsmanship and fit and finish are top notch though. Japanese cars have a particularly good new-car smell. And despite being so new, there was not a squeak or a rattle to be heard. There may not be extra-wide dual touchscreens or a thousand ambient lighting themes that are so popular nowadays, but it’s great place to spend extended periods of time.

Likewise, true to brand, the Mazda CX-60 is unerringly practical. For our Southern Cape long-weekend getaway, we made full use of the 477-litre luggage volume and 1 148-litre utility space with the rear seats folded flat.

OPEN-ROAD JUGGERNAUT

On the open road to the Garden Route, it’s apparent that the six-cylinder turbodiesel sets it apart from its competitors. Interestingly, the Mazda CX-60 doesn’t fixate on all the Eco gimmicks that are so popular nowadays. In fact, it’s three driving modes are: Sport, Normal and Off-Road, that’s it …

Nevertheless, the 48V mild-hybrid system with i-Stop slips in and out of assistance with the subtlety of a double agent at a black-tie dinner. Only when you navigate to the powertrain energy display will you catch some semblance of it in the act. It’s always helping reduce fuel where possible by switching off the engine completely, even on the move.

The claimed economy is 4.9 l/100 km. But that’s on a mixed cycle with a lot of stop-start driving. While our test route was mostly steady open road that returned a still impressive frugality of 6.5 l/100 km. Even more impressive is the mild-hybrid boost to aid overtaking when the battery is full. Let’s put it this way. When passed many vehicles on the highway and only had to cede to one overtake. And that vehicle was on its way to compete in the Simola Hillclimb!

THE VERDICT

There’s something pleasingly familiar and old-school about the Mazda CX-60. Perhaps this is because it’s effectively a two-year old car. But during the test period it proved itself to have thoroughly premium tendencies. Nothing was out of place and it wasn’t found wanting in any situation. Chassis balance is excellent, the steering feel is direct and well-weighted. And the ride quality, while firm, finds an excellent balance between comfort and sportiness. As mentioned, any number of premium brands could wish to build a family SUV as well as the CX-60.

My only gripe is the size of the fuel tank. It must only be in a 40-litre reservoir (despite Mazda’s own brochure). Because something as frugal as the 3.3D should deliver well over 1 000-km range, but we were out by 800 km. So, you’ll be pulling into a forecourt more regularly on your holiday, but that’s no hardship in this million-rand Mazda. Take a test drive and you’ll see it delivers a genuinely premium experience that stands toe-to-toe with established luxury brands. The Mazda CX-60 deserves to find its way into many driveways – assuming those driveways belong to people who value substance over anything else …