Mazda CX-60 PHEV review

Introduction

Sometimes, you just want more. You might swap your 32-inch TV for a 50-inch screen, upgrade the PlayStation 4 to a PlayStation 5, or celebrate Bournemouth FC reaching the Premier League.

But if you had a Mazda CX-5 SUV and wanted something bigger and smarter, you had to look elsewhere. At least until this, the CX-60, turned up. At the posh end of Mazda’s range, it’s a plug-in hybrid SUV with space, pace and grace. Jaguar will be upset.

At a Glance

More than just a bigger version of the CX-5, the new Mazda CX-60 is a push upmarket for the brand. While Mazda’s had an enviable reputation for quality going back a long time, the last six years or so have seen it steadily upping its game, and this new CX-60 is the point where, according to its UK boss, it’s ready to take on the likes of Audi and BMW.

There’s a significant step up in the cabin environment from current Mazda, including the impressive MX-30, but it’s more than skin deep. The CX-60 also represents Mazda’s first-ever plug-in hybrid, allowing it to compete with more tax-efficient and fuel-efficient rivals.

Mazda has kept the model range simple to make the transition to PHEV power easier. There’s one drivetrain, a 2.5-litre petrol plug-in hybrid producing 327hp, and three clear trim levels. At least for now. Later, it’ll be joined by a larger diesel engine and a powerful petrol option.

Key Features

Mazda's first plug-in hybrid has got to be the talking point. In a world full of manufacturers downsizing their engines, Mazda’s installation of a sizeable 2.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor seems somewhat counterintuitive. Still, it’s always believed in ‘rightsizing’ its powertrains.

A 17.8kWh battery pack promises an electric range of 39 miles - more than enough for the average owner's daily driving - which mitigates the sheer bulk of the car and allows for some seriously refined motoring.

But it’s still an SUV, so, unusually for a hybrid, Mazda’s giving it significant towing capability. Forget attaching a tiny trailer to your tow hook, as the CX-60 will pull 2,500kg behind it. Caravan holidays are back on then, without sacrificing eco-friendly motoring at home.

Performance & Drive

The combined oomph of the petrol engine and electric motor is enough to get the CX-60 behemoth off the line and to 62mph in just 5.8 seconds, which a few years ago was supercar territory. Now you get that in a family SUV and one that doesn’t even pretend to be sporty.

It’s certainly sufficient for most needs, then. And, while it’s quick in a straight line, it’s also pleasingly agile in corners. It can never mask its weight - the CX-60 weighs in at more than two tonnes - but some wonderfully direct steering and impressive body control allow you to feel what the car is doing more delicately than its rivals. 

Where others try to hide bulk through active suspension and pseudo-locking differentials, Mazda allows the vehicle to move around with, rather than against, the driver, building awareness and confidence.

It does fall apart a little over particularly sketchy surfaces, where the supple suspension loses track of what’s going on and starts wallowing around a little, but, for the most part, it’s impressive. It’s a natural motorway cruiser, though, where it’s quiet, refined and smooth. I don’t know if Mazda’s looking to take the CX-60 to America, but it’ll suit the territory well.

Running Costs

Even with a battery pack to help things out, a 2.5-litre petrol engine in a two-tonne car will never be a recipe for frugality. Still, the official fuel economy figures from Mazda suggest 188mpg is possible. It’s not. Or it might be. That’s the trouble with a plug-in hybrid, which you can read more about in our guide on PHEVs.

Suppose your driving needs perfectly match the range available from the battery pack. In that case, the CX-60 will barely ever touch a drop of petrol, but that relies on owners plugging in and charging at every opportunity. Be disciplined, and you’ll do very well. Lose discipline, and you’ll rely on petrol power alone, and that will get expensive - a long motorway drive with no charge left in the battery resulted in the onboard computer showing just 35mpg. Balance things well, and anywhere between 50 and 80mpg should be achievable.

CO2 emissions are set at 33g/km, which means company car drivers will face a BIK burden of 12% and a tax bill of at least £1,092 a year for a 20% taxpayer, depending on trim level.

Servicing is required yearly or 12,500 miles, although that could stretch depending on driving style. Drive gently and save money.

Despite its reputation for quality, Mazda only provides a three-year or 60,000 miles warranty on its cars. While that will see many through a lease, those looking at four-year deals might want to investigate extending the warranty cover for another year.

Interior

If you want seven seats, you’ll need to look at the Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorrento, as the CX-60 is a strict five-seater. Still, at 4,745mm long, the big Mazda should offer lots of space for passengers, yes?

Well, it does a decent job, but there’s probably not as much as you might expect. Space for all is fine, and nobody will complain about being cramped, but there’s more available in other cars. The boot, at 570 litres, is competitive with its rivals but isn’t anything to get excited about.

What you will get excited about is the general ambience. We’re in the top-spec Takumi model, so it’s boosted by white Nappa leather, a delightful cloth dashboard topper, and light maple wood across the dashboard, but this is a cabin that looks a million dollars. If you can’t stretch to this trim level, though, don’t look - you’ll always be frustrated at the grey plastic in the lesser model's cabins, even though, by any standard, they’re also top-notch.

The vast 12.3-inch infotainment screen sits on top, but it’s elegantly integrated into the design rather than looking like an afterthought as it does on so many other cars. Easy to use, it’s got all the essentials you’ll want, from in-built navigation to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration.

The driver sits high, with comfortable seats making it easy to find a suitable position. A neat trick is a system that measures your height and eye position as you sit in the car, adjusting the seat and steering wheel accordingly. It’s a tad hit and miss - it failed to notice that while I may be average height, I have disappointingly short legs - but, once you’ve got things set up as you want them, it’ll recognise your face next time you get in and move things to where you like them.

Safety

Euro NCAP’s crash safety experts have given the new Mazda CX-60 a full five-star rating after completing a comprehensive set of tests. While all results were strong, a particular note must be given to the high pedestrian safety scores; despite the bluff front end of the car, any pedestrian facing an untimely meeting with the CX-60 should fare reasonably well.

A suite of safety aids is included to avoid such an incident, starting with automatic emergency braking. You’ll also find blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping warning and assist, emergency lane-keeping assistance for avoiding traffic approaching at high speed, and even an alarm if you’re about to open your door into the path of an approaching vehicle.

Options

Mazda has provided the CX-60 with three trim levels, each with an inexplicable name. The entry-level Exclusive Line is packed with kit and feels far from being the budget choice. You’ll find LED lights, an electric tailgate, heated leather seats, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, navigation, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and dual-zone climate control.

Moving up to the Homura model (no, me neither) adds 20-inch alloy wheels, electric seats and steering wheel adjustment, seat ventilation, heated rear seats and a 12-speaker Bose sound system.

The top-of-the-range Takumi spec gains white Nappa leather trim and a maple wood dashboard, with impressively delicate stitching across the cloth dashboard topper.

Options are limited to three packs. The Comfort Pack, available only on the Exclusive Line model, adds some of the toys from the Homura model for £1,400, creating an in-between version of your own. The £1,000 Convenience Pack adds a 360-degree camera, wireless phone charging and a 1.5kW plug socket in the boot. Another £1,100 gets you the Driver Assistance Pack, with more safety equipment, including assisted cruise control, adaptive LED headlights and automatic emergency braking when reversing.

A panoramic sunroof is £1,000 and is apparently the first time Mazda’s ever offered one on its cars.

The car comes in white, but the wonderful Soul Red will set you back £900. All other colours are either £650 or £750.

Rival Cars

Look at price alone, and the Mazda CX-60 is a direct rival to the likes of the Toyota RAV4 and Peugeot 3008. The Toyota is spacious, well-equipped, and capable off-road, but it doesn’t have the same visual elegance or charm as the Mazda. Peugeot’s 3008 is distinctive but feels underpowered and lacks the same quality feel of the CX-60.

But Mazda wants to have a crack at the premium market, where the CX-60 has to face the Audi Q5 (expensive but refined and stylish), BMW X3 (great to drive, practical and sophisticated, but expensive), Mercedes-Benz GLC (fun in super-expensive AMG spec but otherwise languishing) and Volvo XC60 (spacious, stylish and gloriously minimalist, but thirsty). We’ll gloss over Jaguar’s outclassed E-Pace.

Verdict

It’s rare that a verdict is quite so challenging to write, but the Mazda CX-60 is a car that delights and confuses in equal measure.

There are more spacious, more practical options out there. Some are more refined, and others are quicker off the mark. Some competitors beat the CX-60’s battery range, and company car drivers won’t like the tax bills as much as some rivals.

But it’s surprisingly fun to drive in most circumstances and has a luxurious cabin the likes of which you won’t find this side of its premium German rivals.

It would be unbeatable with a tiny bit more room and, say, an extra pair of occasional seats in the rear. For now, Mazda’s propelled itself to an interesting spot, where it’s a better option than the mainstream models from the likes of Toyota and Peugeot and gets achingly close to what’s on offer from Audi and BMW.

For Mazda, that’s a win.

Where to next?

View our latest Mazda CX-60 PHEV Leasing Deals  - from just £496.91 per month inc VAT**

Looking for a great leasing deal? Check out our incredible range of Special Offers

New SUV? Read our latest Car Reviews and find the right model for you

Want to know more about leasing? Take a look at our comprehensive Leasing Guides

Interested in everything motoring? Why not catch up on all the latest Car Leasing News.

*Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the UK’s top five leading independent car website reviews of the Mazda CX-60 PHEV

**Correct as of 20/10/2022. Based on 9 months initial payment, 5,000 miles over a 48 month lease. Initial payment equivalent to 9 monthly payments or £4,472.19 Ts and Cs apply. Credit is subject to status.