Mazda CX-60 SUV (2022 - ) review

Mazda is positioning the CX-60 as more of a premium model than the smaller Mazda CX-5. That means it costs more than the plug-in hybrid offerings from mainstream brands such as the Kia Sportage and VW Tiguan, though it's worth noting the CX-60 is slightly larger. Compared to the established premium plug-in hybrid SUVs - the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Lexus NX and Mercedes GLC - the CX-60 is considerably cheaper to buy. Unlike the competition, Mazda only offers a plug-in hybrid for now, though petrol and diesel versions are coming down the line. The Mazda also beats its premium rivals by having a larger hybrid battery capable of up to 39 miles of electric driving. If you can charge at home or work, you could cover more or even all of your daily commute without using the petrol engine at all. An official combined fuel economy figure of 188mpg looks impressive on paper but does require frequent battery top-ups if you're to get close to achieving it in the real world. Still, this is an all-wheel-drive SUV with more boot space than its rivals and a towing capacity of up to 2,500kg that falls into the 12 per cent Benefit In Kind bracket.

Mazda tends to perform well when it comes to reliability. However, the CX-60 is an entirely new car on a new platform, and the first time that Mazda has produced a plug-in hybrid. With other models, such as the CX-5, Mazda achieved a mid-chart ranking in the JD Power UK Vehicle Dependability Study. The three-year/60,000-mile warranty that Mazda offers is something of an industry standard, and while BMW and Mercedes match the length of cover, they add unlimited mileage. Better still are the mainstream brands such as Kia, which has seven-year/100,000-mile cover or Toyota, which can be as much as ten years.

Every version of the Mazda CX-60 features a wealth of safety and assistance systems, including Smart Brake Support (SBS) with Turn-Across Traffic. SBS can prevent a frontal collision, especially if you're turning at a junction. It will automatically apply the brakes if it detects the potential for a crash. The CX-60 can also act as eyes in the back of your head with its Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), which uses sensors to detect a vehicle you might not have seen in your mirrors when changing lanes. It can be a real help when reversing out of a parking space, too. A Lane-keep Assist System (LAS), including Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), helps ensure you don't begin to accidentally drift out of your lane on a motorway or over a white line on a B-road. In an increasingly connected world, it can be reassuring to know that with the e-Call technology if you need the emergency services they can know precisely where your car is thanks to its GPS signal. An optional Driver Assistance Pack adds Adaptive Cruise Control with Cruising Traffic Support (CTS). The CTS system makes driving in traffic jams less tiresome by assisting with steering, acceleration and braking.

One of the most appealing aspects of the Mazda CX-60 is its size, in particular its cabin, which is roomier than the CX-5’s. The first impression is that the quality of the materials used throughout is very good, crystallising the company's premium aspirations. The much sought-after raised driving position offers plenty of adjustability while Mazda provides a clever automated driver personalisation system that sets up the seating position and steering wheel when you input your height. Then a camera on the side of the touchscreen display can recognise your face when you get in and set up the car to your preference. Like the CX-5, Mazda equips the CX-60 with rear doors that open almost to 90 degrees, making access far easier than in many rivals. Rear passenger space is also quite good, with ample levels of headroom and legroom. Both outer rear seats get ISOFIX points and there is a 40/20/40 splitting backrest. Folding the seat backs can be done from the boot via handy levers. Because Mazda designed the CX-60 to be a plug-in hybrid from the outset, there is no compromise on boot space, which at 570 litres is generous and more than its nearest competitors can offer. An electrically operated tailgate adds to the convenience, too. The one fly in the ointment for Mazda in terms of comfort is the ride quality, which can be overly firm at lower speeds - and the larger 20-inch wheels on the Homura specification seem to compound the issue.

We like how Mazda has successfully implemented modern technology into the CX-60 without overwhelming the driver with distracting displays. A digital instrument screen relays all the relevant information to the driver in a similar way to how a more straightforward analogue cluster would, while a colour head-up display is standard across the three specification grades and projects essential driving information onto the windscreen, directly in your line of sight. Other standard kit includes heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, reversing camera, automatic LED headlights and rain-sensing wipers. A 12-3-inch central display is an improvement for Mazda, though it retains a rotary controller. Along with Bluetooth, there are USB-C sockets and wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Wireless phone charging is available as part of a Convenience Pack that includes a 1500W AC socket, 360-degree cameras and rear privacy glass. The Homura grade adds ambient lighting, electrically adjustable passenger seat, ventilation for the front seats and heating for the outer rear seats.

The Mazda CX-60 will only be available as a single plug-in hybrid version from launch, with petrol and diesel engines set to follow later. This hybrid should be a popular choice for both private and business users because of its potentially low running costs and favourable rates of tax. A 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor give the CX-60 a combined power output of 327 horsepower, making it the most potent production Mazda yet. The battery element of the setup consists of a 17.8kWh lithium-ion unit that is sandwiched within the floor and can provide enough energy for up to 39 miles of electric driving. It powers an electric motor that sits between the engine and an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Power is mainly sent to the rear wheels, but all wheels can be driven depending on traction levels. Despite having all that power, the Mazda doesn't feel especially fast. It's a car that delivers its best when it isn't being hurried along. The automatic gearbox isn't as smooth as what you'll find in the BMW X3, though our first drive was in a pre-production model, so Mazda still has time to remedy that. At speed, the CX-60 is impressively quiet in terms of road and wind noise. The firm suspension is better suited to smoother roads, though. There's little body roll, too, so the Mazda remains nice and level when taking bends. Mazda has a good reputation for handling and the steering in the CX-60 is more communicative than that of most SUVs of this size.