After much fanfare and a series of leaks as recent as yesterday, Mazda has finally unveiled the all-new CX-60 SUV in Europe. The CX-60 is the second model in its new SUV onslaught after the CX-50, and will be the marque’s first model to ride on its latest platform as part of the Large Product group of models, giving us a preview and some context for what’s to come from the Japanese carmaker.
Looks wise, the all-new CX-60 retains many of the hallmark Mazda design features, including the overall silhouette of the car. It does however have a longer bonnet up front compared to the other existing Mazda models, to fit the CX-60’s new longitudinal engine layout thanks to the platform’s new front-engine, rear- and all-wheel drive set-up.
RELATED: Mazda to introduce a wave of SUVs with new naming scheme, six cylinders, and wider bodies
Exterior highlights on the all-new Mazda CX-60 include a bolder front-end design with a flatter nose and a unique headlight design, with the daytime running light signature extending past the main lighting fixture, bolder side fenders, a generous dashing of chrome trims, plus a taillight design that closely resembles that of the facelift CX-5.
Although, if we’re being honest, it does look a little awkward in proportions from certain angles. We’re hoping that seeing it in person would change our minds! (and yes, it’s been rumoured to arrive here in Malaysia.)
As for the interior, it’s pretty much what we’ve come to expect from a Mazda SUV, with plush material choices throughout the entire cabin including maple wood, Nappa leather, Japanese textiles, and chrome details. The dashboard is headlined by a new, massive 12.3-inch infotainment display in the centre, and is joined by – for the first time on a Mazda – a fully-digital instrument cluster display.
There are plenty of standard equipment on the inside, too, ranging from the usual Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Connectivity, to a new Driver Personalisation System that uses an on-board camera for facial recognition to automatically adjust the myriad of settings to the driver’s preference.
The Mazda CX-60 is launched in Europe with the marque’s first-ever plug-in hybrid powertrain, dubbed e-Skyactiv PHEV, that combines a 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder mill with an electric motor for a combined system output of 327 hp and 500 Nm. Drive is sent to all four wheels via an i-Activ all-wheel drive system and an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Being Mazda’s most powerful car ever produced, the CX-60 sprints from idle to 100 km/h in just 5.8 seconds, onward to a top speed of 200 km/h. The 17.8-kWh lithium-ion battery allows for a fully-electric driving range of around 63 km at speeds of up to 100 km/h, and according to Mazda, takes roughly four hours to fully charge with a normal AC charger.
Moving forward, Mazda will be expanding the CX-60’s engine offering to include two six-cylinder options, including a Skyactiv-D 3.3-litre turbodiesel and a e-SkyActiv X 3.0-litre petrol mill, both equipped with 48V mild-hybrid technology.
The Mazda CX-60 will go on sale in Europe this year, and will be followed by the larger, three-row CX-80 SUV in 2023.
GALLERY
