On the face of it, little has changed comparing the CX60 from 2023 – the year Mazda ventured into the premium SUV market – and this 2025-model-year example.
In fact, after close inspection and some head scratching, we gave up and resorted to the press release for some inspiration. As suspected, the outside of this longitudinal, front-engined vehicle – which models the company’s latest Kodo design philosophy – has been left well alone.
So, the wing-shaped grille, vertically stacked LED lights, rakish rear and split horizontal tail-lamps are untouched, with a choice of ally wheel sizes growing from 18- to 20-inches depending on trim level still available. Entry-level ‘Exclusive-Line’ CX-60s sit on 18-inch grey metallic wheels and sport body-coloured mirrors, while ‘Homura’ and ‘Homura Plus’ cars add body-coloured wheel arches, and 20-inch black metallic wheels paired to gloss black mirrors, a gloss black grille and gloss black side grille trim. As for flagship ‘Takumi’ and ‘Takumi Plus’, they attract 20-inch silver and black machined alloy wheels, chrome wing trim, black bar-type grille, chrome side window surround and body coloured mirrors.
As with the outside, the CX-60’s superbly-appointed cabin is identical to before – except for the ‘Homura’ grade that now replicate the cabin of its seven-seat CX-80 brother. This mirroring exercise adds black Nappa leather seats and a revised dash panel, black lined roof and pillars, and cabin panels that marry a matt black and machined metal-like finish.
Even if a buyer’s budget can only stretch to the first rung of the CX-60 ladder, they are not going to be too disappointed. For an extra £1,400, the Comfort Pack introduces 20-inch alloy wheels, electric front seats, front seat and outer rear seat heating, and Mazda’s new Driver Personalisation System that comprises three functions on start-up: an automated driving position guide; automatic setting restoration; and ingress and egress assistance. Also available is the active safety ‘Driver Assistance Pack’ that can maintain the correct following distance and lane position, while also providing brake control in emergencies.
We have tested both plug-in hybrid and mild hybrid diesel-powered CX60’s and would suggest high mileage drivers opt for the latter for its linear acceleration, torque and strong fuel returns (low 40mpg). Despite totalling 3.3-litres in capacity and running six cylinders, it weighs little more than a 2.2-litre, four-cylinder turbo diesel because of the strong yet lightweight metals that is used in its construction.
Called ‘e-Skyactiv D’, it is available with 197bhp for purely rear-wheel-drive models and 251bhp for all-wheel-drive examples and an eight-speed automatic that, for the most part, slurs its gears and reacts quickly when you pull on either of the flappy paddles directly behind the leather steering wheel. In either case, the unmistakable six-cylinder groan can be heard – the only giveaway to the performance available to this unassuming child- and family-friendly mode of transport.
Large doors that open nice and wide make accessing the front seats or second row easy and, once there, leg, knee and head room are more than satisfactory for even the tallest people. Order the electronically-powered tailgate to open up and once it is out of the way, total cargo space is competitive for this class at 570-litres with the individual folding rear seats in place, or a cave-like 1,720-litres if these are folded down.
It all begs the question, ‘What exactly has changed?’ Well, the CX60’s front suspension geometry has been tweaked to strike a better balance between comfort and driver confidence. At the back, meanwhile, the previous anti-roll bar is replaced for a new one along with softer springs and firmer shock absorbers. Mazda say the suspension can now better absorb bumps and dips in the road, but the ride has an all too brittle quality to is, with bridge expansion joints quick to flag this up.
The electric power steering is noticeably heavy and annoyingly tiring at low speeds, and the alarmingly spongy brakes demand a firm foot to scrub off speed. However, much like the styling, you are going to be hard pushed to tell how this iteration differs from the one it replaces. Still, the CX-60 underscores Mazda’s desire to build SUVs that blend performance and comfort with elegance and class-leading style.
