When it launched in 2023, the Mazda CX-60 ushered in a new era of crossovers for Mazda. Though it may not be the first to use the CX name, it is the first car to utilize Mazda’s SKYACTIV Multi-Solution Scalable Architecture platform and the first to be powered by Mazda’s all-new 3.3-liter e-SKYACTIV straight-six engine.
All that muscle is paired with a captivating exterior, a well-appointed interior, and lots of tech. So as a car, the CX-60 is one that is set to really capture your imagination based on the spec sheet alone. In this review, let’s see if the Mazda CX-60 is all it’s cracked up to be, spoiler alert, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows as you might expect.
4.7 / 5
Performance
Engine Output (HP), Acceleration, Transmission, Handling 4.5/5
Engine Output (HP), Acceleration, Transmission, Handling 4.5/5
Design
Exterior & Interior Design, Quality, Fit and Finish, Ergonomics 4.5/5
Exterior & Interior Design, Quality, Fit and Finish, Ergonomics 4.5/5
Ride Comfort
Cabin Comfort, Suspension, NVH Insulation 4.5/5
Cabin Comfort, Suspension, NVH Insulation 4.5/5
Safety and Technology
Convenience Technologies, Active and Passive Safety Features 5.0/5
Convenience Technologies, Active and Passive Safety Features 5.0/5
Value for Money
Amount of the vehicle you get for the price, Fuel Efficiency 5.0/5
Amount of the vehicle you get for the price, Fuel Efficiency 5.0/5
What You Will Like
- Handsome Exterior
- Powerful inline-six engine
- Stable and predictable chassis
What You Won't Like
- Engine is quite thirsty during city driving
- The transmission is jittery and hesitant at slow speeds
- Ride is stiffer than most crossovers
Good looks? Check
Starting at the front end, the CX-60 is instantly recognizable by the unmistakable Kodo design language that modern Mazda’s adhere to. In this gasoline variant, the front grille design is made up of vertical slats coupled with a chrome garnish. Near the sides, you’ll find the thin signal lights which will lead you to the CX-60’s headlights. As an added bonus for style, when the signal lights are on, they don’t blink like ordinary lights, rather they glow on and off. Note that the CX-60 doesn’t have a separate housing for the fog lights because the headlights are smart and powerful enough to handle that job as well. Below the headlights are vents which aid in the aerodynamic efficiency of the crossover.
At the sides, you’ll find two-tone 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels and an understated but still sleek profile. Because it’s powered by an inline-six engine, you’ll notice that the CX-60 has a longer engine bay than most crossovers in the market, however, thanks to some Mazda magic, it doesn’t look ungainly at all.
Moving to the back, the CX-60 features LED taillights and a curvaceous back end. Though some people, Caco in particular, might prefer the tail light design of the CX-9 over this, it’s still good-looking overall. What might trigger some people though is when we move underneath where we will find faux dual exhaust tips. For a car that is powered by an inline-six, we feel that is quite unacceptable for the CX-60 to sport faux exhaust tips, especially when you consider its price. Caco even alleges that the designers of the CX-60 put the fake exhaust tips on as a joke after downing a couple of drinks, but regardless of how those tips were built into the CX-60, we don’t like it.
Decent cargo space? Check
Pop the power tailgate open and you’ll find a spacious cargo hold which Mazda says can hold 570 liters of cargo with the second row up, your mileage may vary with the tonneau cover in place though. Fold the second row down and you’ll have space for 1,726 liters or four balikbayan boxes and some overnight luggage.
A spacious and pleasing interior? Check
Starting at the front, specifically in the driver’s seat, we were given the impression that the CX-60 was designed with purpose and that every part of the car has little details that allow it to work well with other parts in harmony.
If you don’t understand what we mean, here are some details we found that may drive the point across. On the dashboard, Mazda designed the instrument cluster cover and the infotainment screen to not go past the base of the windshield so that it doesn’t obstruct your view of the road. Next, in the ergonomics department, we noticed that the armrest on the driver’s side door sits level with the height of the center box which means resting your elbows on it is intuitive and less awkward. In addition, the dials for the infotainment controls are not as deep as it was with previous Mazda cars so it’s easier and less straining to maneuver.
Plus, to the joy of many and for us here at AutoDeal, the CX-60 barely uses any piano black plastics in the interior. Less shiny and scratchy plastics that will not age well are a definite plus in our book.
Moving to the second row, though the CX-60 is not as spacious as the length of the car suggests, it still has enough space to accommodate tall passengers comfortably. The seats are wrapped in black Nappa leather accompanied by aluminum trim in the doors and in the center box. Features include rear air vents, USB-C ports, bottle holders, a retractable armrest with cup holders, and a panoramic sunroof that allows natural light to bathe the interior.
Modern tech features? Check
In terms of tech features, the main start in the CX-60 is a 12.3-inch Mazda Connect LCD Display with a 12-speaker Bose sound system. This is accompanied by an equally large instrument cluster and a 10.4-inch Heads-up Display.
As for driving aids, the CX-60 is equipped with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Hill Descent Control (HDC), Mazda Radar Cruise Control, a Lane Departure Warning System (LDW), a Blind Spot Monitoring System (BSM), Front Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, a 360-degree Camera, Front and Rear parking sensors, a Driver Monitoring System, and a Driver Alert System.
One standout feature of the CX-60 is the personalization system. The system works by entering your height and the car’s facial recognition system tech will figure out your eye position and will adjust the seat position, steering wheel position, and even the heads-up display of the car for you.
A perfect driving experience? Check…well, almost
Now that we’ve got the exterior and interior out of the way? What’s it like on the road? On twisty mountainous roads, the CX-60 is a magnificent thing to drive, Mazda’s all-wheel-drive system provides tons of confidence when you take corners and bends at speed. Paired with the 280 hp and 450 Nm of torque at the disposal of your right foot, the CX-60 will have you howling for more as you go.
On the highways, the CX-60 is composed and can sit happily at high speeds. What’s more, during our time with it, the inline-six cylinder engine gives a profound feeling of power and a highly satisfying driving experience. In fact, because of that feeling, we will even forgive it for doing 6.5 km/l in city driving and 16.7 km/l on the highways in terms of fuel economy.
So where do the sunshine and rainbows end? Well, we found out once we put our foot off the gas and entered the city. Going back a bit to the CX-60’s transmission, the eight-speed automatic in the CX-60 has the torque converter replaced with a clutch, meaning that it behaves less like a traditional automatic and more like a dual-clutch transmission. It’s fine when you’re on the move but during stop-and-go traffic, the CX-60 feels hesitant, almost like it’s taking its time looking for a gear to use.
This hesitation from the transmission is definitely not a deal-breaker, but, it is enough to make you think twice before getting in it. Another quirk we found with the CX-60 is that when we are coasting at 40 km/h and give it a bit of gas, there is a noticeable noise and judder as you speed up.
Verdict
On paper and on the road, the Mazda CX-60 has the makings of a good crossover. Mazda has given it a great engine, a premium interior, and handsome good looks, all the stuff it needs to put it in contention with the likes of the European BMW X3 and the Volvo XC60. Considering that you get quality that can rival European cars without the European price tag at P2,790,000 for the gasoline variant and 2,890,000 for the diesel-powered CX-60, the CX-60 definitely has the potential to from good to great. We believe, that all it needs to get there, are a few updates.
Now, if you’re interested in the Mazda CX-60, or any car for that matter, head over to the Car Guide on AutoDeal.com.ph. Once you find your target hit "Get Quote," and top dealers nationwide will promptly provide you with official quotations for your chosen car. It’s really that simple and easy, believe it or not.
Photo Gallery
Specifications
Engine
3.3 LFuel Type
HybridPerformance
280 hp @ 5,000 rpmTransmission
Automatic-
Summary
-
Name Mazda CX-60 3.3L AWD HEV Turbo Body Type Crossover Price ₱2,790,000 Transmission Category Automatic -
Engine
-
Engine Size 3.3 L Displacement 3,283 cc Number of Cylinders 6 Number of Valves 24 Transmission Type SKYACTIV-Drive 8-Speed Automatic -
Performance
-
Drivetrain i-ACTIV All-Wheel Drive Max Output (hp) 280 hp @ 5,000 rpm Max Torque (nm) 450 Nm @ 2,000 rpm *estimated -
Economy & Environment
-
Fuel Type Hybrid Emissions Standard Euro 4 Fuel Capacity 58.0 L Combined Fuel Consumption 13.5 km/L *estimated -
Dimensions
-
Length 4,745 mm Width 1,890 mm Height 1,680 mm Wheelbase 2,870 mm Turning Circle 11 m Ground Clearance 175 mm Trunk Capacity 570 L Number of Doors 5 Number of Seats 5 -
Safety & Security
-
Driver's Airbag Front Passenger's Airbag Side Airbags Curtain Airbags Knee Airbag Auto Brake System Electronic Brake Distribution Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) w/ Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
Immobilizer Security Alarm Stability Control Electronic Door Locks Speed Sensing Door Locks ISOFIX Lane Departure Warning System Blind-Spot Detection System -
Features
-
Cruise Control Front Parking Sensors Rear Parking Sensors Leather Upholstery Push Start Button Wheel Size 20 in Wheels Metal Type Diamond Cut Aluminum Alloy Airconditioning System Automatic Dual-Zone Climate Control with Rear Vents Entertainment System 12.3-inch Mazda Connect LCD Display with 12-Speaker BOSE Sound System Connectivity Dual USB-C, Bluetooth Hands-Free, Android Auto, and Wireless Apple CarPlay Navigation Ready Warranty 3 Years or 100,000 km + 5 Years Free Service Plan Keyless Entry Roof Rack Sunroof Electric Adjustable Seats Power Steering Power Windows Power Outlet Steering Wheel Audio Control -
Technology
-
Active Park Assist Hill Start Assist AWD Modes Off-Road Traction Assist Tire Pressure Monitoring Heads-up Display Power Liftgate Start-stop System
Colors
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