Driving the new five-seat Mazda CX-60 today, Mazda’s replacement for the CX-5
for so long our best-selling mid-size SUV. The CX-60 an all-wheel-drive range
marginally larger, a more premium offering moving up in price. Three engine
choices – Mazda’s first plug-in hybrid or PHEV – a 2.5-litre four-cylinder
petrol/electric with around 62km’s of pure electric range, and a 3.3-litre turbo
petrol as well as a 3.3-litre turbo diesel – both six-cylinder engines with 48volt
hybrid boost technology. All three engines link to an eight-speed automatic –
each engine available in three model grades – Evolve, GT and top spec Azami –
The most affordable the turbo six petrol Evolve $59,800, the most expensive, the
top-spec Azami plug-in hybrid $85,500. I drove two models – most noticeable was
the weight increase – all-wheel-drive adding weight while on the plug-in hybrid
the battery adds a further 200kilos – most models pushing two tonne in weight
which together with a rather poorly tuned suspension produces a ride quality that
doesn’t match the increase in price – Very well equipped however with quality
fittings and excellent fit and finish but the ride quality is simply underdone and a
real surprise for a company like Mazda – a step backwards with most companies
shedding weight not adding to it.

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