The big CX-60 ushers in a whole new Mazda era
Think Mazda. What comes to mind? Well, for me it’s rasping Group 1 rotaries, Ben’s four-rotor and the Le Mans win. Then I think 323, 3, 2 and some damn good small cars and SUVS. Maybe one or two medium sized. Big cars? Nah, that ain’t Mazda.
But wait, that’s all just changed. Enter this all-new Mazda CX-60. A luxury Mazda bigger than any you’ve ever seen. And one that the company tells us, is its new apex.
Said to balance technology and simplicity to offer a perfect balance between beauty, performance, and functionality, CX-60 enters a new realm. It also celebrates 100 years of among motoring’s most iconic brands.
So how big is CX-60? Well, almost X5 big
The all-new Mazda CX-60 is big. At 4.7 m long, 1.9 m wide and 1.7 m tall, it runs on a 2.9 m wheelbase. I compares pretty handsomely to a 4.9 m long 2 m wide 1.7 m tall BMW X5 that rides on a similar 2.9 m wheelbase. So yes, that big.
Which means more than enough room for all passengers and 570 litres of easily accessible cavernous luggage to boot. That power-opening trunk ups to as much as 1,726 litres at a bit of a push.
Designed to make the driver feel instantly at home, your CX-60 will recognise you and automatically adjust your seat. And the rest of the car to car to the driver’s preset preferences.
Subtle CX-60 interface big where it matters
It’s a splendid space too. Those chairs don’t just look good, they cosset your body in special orthopaedic ways. You’re treated to top-end Bose 12-speaker sound with Mazda noise reduction harmonic acoustics. To all but eliminate any unwanted noise.
CX-60’s car-to-human interface is subtle. But big where it matters with large font displays that even some old goats this car appeals to most, will still see, read and understand. All laid out in typical, sensible Mazda style too.
It has three digital displays. The normal, sports, towing and off-road mode 12-inch dials, and an excellent heads-up display. And latest generation 12.3-inch USB and wireless Mazda Connect CarPlay and Auto infotainment.
Quicker, more economical than claimed
Unlike other idiot interfaces designed only for Martians to operate, you’ll quickly become au-fait with these real Mazda buttons and knobs. You will remember where they are and operate it all with ease, every day from there. Bravo, Mazda!
Diving under the bonnet, this is the smaller Mazda CX-60 variety. The Individual one with the 141 kW 261 Nm 2.5-litre engine driving all four wheels via a fine 8-speed automatic. Significantly quicker than its 9.9-second 0-100 km/h and 7 l/100km claims too.
Mazda tells is CX-60’s long gear ratios improve both quietness and fuel economy. We can tell you that it works. And that this Mazda matches the best in its vast menu of onboard safety and systems.
CX-60 comes at you with best systems
Built around a super-tough axial compression multi-path structure shell, CX-60 is safety feature packed. With ABS, EBD, brake assist, it has hill descent control between 3 and 20 km/h and smart city brake support. There’s a see-through view 360-degree camera.
Add dynamic stability traction control, emergency stop signalling and early lighting multifunction DRL LED headlamps. Plus the advanced stuff like i-Activsense driver assistance radar cruise control with lane-keeping, blind spot and rear cross traffic alert.
All in all, the CX-60 is a quantum shift for Mazda. And it’s just gotten even better with the release of this one’s diesel-electric straight-six big brother. We have long praised Mazda on its fantastic small cars. There’s a quality about them that the rest miss.
Is CX-60 revealing Mazda’s long game?
Now we start to see the long game. Building that into a full size SUV like this presents a Mazda the match the best.
And considering that the car we compared this to in size above only starts at a 70% premium on this Mazda’s flagship sibling, we reckon this century old brand could just be onto something… really big. – Michele Lupini
ROAD TESTED: Mazda CX-60 2.5 AWD Individual
Engine: 2.5-litre petrol I4
Drive: 8-speed automatic AWD
TESTED:
0-60 km/h: 4.09 sec
0-100 km/h: 8.97 sec
0-120 km/h 12.27 sec
0-160 km/h 22.45 sec
400m: 16.4 sec 140 km/h
80-120 km/h: 5.91 sec
120-160 km/h: 10.18 sec
CLAIMED:
VMax: 201 km/h
Fuel: 7.7 l/100 km
CO2: 180 g/km
Range: 750 km
Warranty/Service: 5y unl.
LIST PRICE: R859K
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