Mazda has always prided itself on building good-quality cars at affordable prices. However, you would never associate Mazda with BMW, Mercedes, or Audi. Mazda wants to change that and they’re not doing so by launching a separate luxury division like other mainstream car brands. Instead, they’re turning themselves into a luxury marque. This is no easy feat as it requires a whole re-brand and re-structure of the marque. It will also involve a lot of heavy marketing to convince people that Mazda is actually no longer mainstream, but rather something more upmarket.
Mazda’s cars for the last few years have become a whole lot more luxurious. The Mazda6 for example absolutely topples its rivals from the likes of VW or Ford when it comes to interior quality. However, it’s just not as good as rivals from Mercedes, Audi, or BMW.
Mazda though has just launched a car that could change its image forever. It’s called the CX60 and it’s a slightly larger car than the CX5, but smaller than the CX9. The CX60 will be available in Europe, Japan, and Australia. North American markets will get the slightly wider CX70 model instead.
The CX60 will be the first Mazda to include a plug-in hybrid option. That car packs a 2.5 liter inline-4 as well as an electric motor. Quite a large engine then considering many other manufacturers are using much smaller engines with their plug-in setups. Mazda also offers a few other engines too including a mild-hybrid 3 liter inline 6 unit, and two 3.3 diesel inline-6 engines with one of them being a mild-hybrid.
Mazda wants to make the CX60 drive well. Therefore, all models include a multi-plate clutch 8-speed automatic gearbox which packs an electric motor that replaces a conventional hydraulic convertor. This preserves the cornering performance of an RWD car. The car also packs Kinetic Posture Control which applies the rear inside wheel to contain body roll. Exactly what you need in such a large SUV that has a high center of gravity.
So, is this car any good? Or will it be an absolute flop, especially in Europe? Let’s find out.
picture via: mazda.co.uk
It’s Entering a Competitive Market.
via: caranddriver.com
The CX60 will be entering a very competitive market, which is the luxury mid-sized SUV market. Audi, Mercedes, and BMW have really cornered this market globally and no other manufacturer can seem to succeed in the luxury mid-size market, especially in Europe. The Mercedes GLC is one of the cars that the CX60 will have to beat, and that has become a best-seller for the marque. In fact, Mercedes will be launching a new generation GLC very soon, which will be even more luxurious than the current car.
Mazda aims to tackle the GLC by offering an interior that has a unique Japanese design. It’s called Ma, which means the dignified and calm beauty of space. All of that sounds like marketing talk to me, but the interior of the CX60 is quite nice. The digital screens all include crystal clear graphics, the plastics used are all of high quality, and the overall fit and finish are fantastic. The best feature though is the driver personalization system.
You input your height into the screen on the center console, and the system will adjust the seat and steering wheel according to your height. It’s all quite fascinating and it gets even better when you realize you don’t have to press any buttons for the driver memory system. Instead, you record your face on a camera at the edge of the center infotainment screen. Once this is done, the car will automatically scan your face every time you get in the car and it will adjust the seat and steering wheel to your specifications. This is unheard of on any car. Not even cars like the Mercedes S-Class or BMW 7-Series has this. I do believe though that this will be an optional extra, rather than something that is standard on every model. Higher-spec cars may get it as standard though.
The build quality is very solid. Everything feels well-built and the design is quite nice. I do like the gear shifter that looks similar to the one used by Audi. Overall, it does remind me of a Lexus interior which isn’t a bad thing at all. Trouble is for the Mazda, Mercedes will fit their huge screen into the new GLC and that looks insane plus judging from the new C-Class, build quality will improve massively.
The space is not the best at the front and it does look a little cluttered. However, headroom is fine and the car can comfortably seat 5 six-foot adults with no problems. However, cars like the BMW X3 are more spacious.
It Drives Pretty Well.
via: autoexpress.co.uk
The new CX60 drives pretty well which is a huge bonus as many people want an SUV nowadays that feels and drives like a normal car. Mazda is known for making drivers’ cars, you only have to look at the MX5 to figure that one out. The CX60 features a nice weighty steering wheel which is quite accurate. If you do push it too hard the car will understeer, but at the end of the day, this is a high riding vehicle, not a small sports car.
On larger 20-inch alloys the ride is a little more firm. The suspension though tries to even things out though, and it works like a treat. The PHEV model itself packs 323hp and 369 lb-ft of torque making the CX60 almost as powerful as an X3 M40i BMW. Mazda says it’s their most powerful car ever, and the 0-60 time is 5.8 seconds making this car faster than a Fiesta ST. Furthermore, the electric motor provides 39 miles of range and the MPG is pretty high.
The CX60 is a joy to drive in towns and cities. Put it in electric mode and it is perfect. There is certainly more than enough power to deal with everyday city traffic and you won’t be burning any valuable petrol whilst you’re doing so.
Overall, the CX60 is a great car to drive. Certainly better than an Audi Q5 or Mercedes GLC but where this car could fall short is against the X3. The BMW X3 is a properly good SUV to drive and it feels more so like a car rather than a big high-riding SUV. The engines are all silky smooth and powerful.
To Conclude
via: autospias.com
Mazda has done very well with the new CX60. It is a premium car but will it be able to attract premium pockets? The base model Exclusive Line is priced at just under £44,000 in the UK and for that, you do get a lot of kit as standard. That’s cheaper than a base X3 and for that, you get a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Apple Carplay, Android auto, head-up display, 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, rear parking sensors, and more.
Next is the mid-range Homura which adds electric and ventilated front seats, ambient lighting, a 12-speaker Bose system, 20-inch alloys, and some gloss black exterior details. The range-topping Takumi priced at almost £50,000 includes dashboard detailing, white Nappa leather, white maple wood trim, body-colored mirrors, and a gloss black front grille.
Personally, the mid-range Homura has everything you need and more. Plus it also looks pretty classy with its chrome grille and large alloys. All cars are reasonably priced and include options that are not even available on some of its rivals. Mazda has really put a lot of effort into the CX60, and for this sort of money, it truly is a bargain that isn’t worth missing out on.