The Mazda CX-60 is here, and while it looks like a typical Mazda SUV, it’s actually more than that. This is the first model to feature Mazda’s long-awaited rear-wheel drive platform. It is also Mazda’s first plug-in hybrid model to go on sale and will eventually feature Mazda straight-six engines.
There is only one transmission available at the launch of the CX-60, and that is the plug-in hybrid. It combines the familiar 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G four-cylinder engine found in the CX-5, CX-50, CX-30, 6 and 3, but is paired with a 134-hp electric motor. The total output is 323 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful production Mazda ever. Apparently, it is capable of accelerating from 0 to 62 mph in 5.8 seconds. The engine is mounted longitudinally, with an electric motor and a multi-plate clutch connecting it to a new eight-speed automatic transmission. While the CX-60 platform is based on rear-wheel drive, the plug-in hybrid model only has all-wheel drive, with the front wheels engaged via a multi-plate clutch. There are multiple driving modes including Normal, Sport, Off-Road, Towing and, for the PHEV version, EV Mode. Towing capacity is also just over 5,500 pounds.
In terms of hybrid aspects, the CX-60 uses a 17.8 kWh battery pack. Mazda says it has to go 39 miles on electric power alone. If the CX-60 is offered in the US, we expect that range to be smaller as EPA ratings tend to be lower than the WLTP results that Mazda used for these statistics.
Over time, the CX-60 will be offered with new six-cylinder engines. Offerings will be a naturally aspirated 3.0-liter Skyactiv-X engine and a 3.3-liter turbocharged diesel engine. Neither will be a full hybrid, and we suspect space is a problem when trying to fit longer electric motors. However, each will come with a 48-volt “mild-hybrid” option. The output of these engines has not been announced, but Mazda has said the gas-powered six-cylinder engine is just as efficient as the four-cylinder Skyactiv-X. Both six-cylinder engines will also be available with rear-wheel drive, not just all-wheel drive.
The transmission isn’t the only interesting mechanical feature of the CX-60. The suspension should also appeal to driving enthusiasts as it features a double wishbone design at the front and a multi-link independent at the rear. Mazda says this is made possible by moving to a longitudinal engine layout that frees up space on either side of the engine.
As mentioned earlier, the CX-60 is very similar to existing Mazda SUVs. It has a fairly clean body with slight folds. The most notable difference is the new proportions with a longer nose and distance between dash and axle. This is especially evident in profile. It’s also noticeably larger than the current CX-5. It’s about seven inches longer than the front-wheel drive SUV and a couple of inches wider.
Inside, the CX-60 has Mazda’s typically clean design, with a low and wide dash. High-end models feature stylish materials such as Nappa leather, natural maple wood trim, a fabric-wrapped dashboard with stylish Kakenui, or hanging stitching that reveals the material underneath the threads. Standard is a 12.3-inch infotainment screen that uses Mazda’s current infotainment system, but the company says it’s faster and has new search features. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also included and both are now wireless. Another interesting interior feature that will be available is a facial recognition system that will be able to set the seats, climate and instrument settings to suit your preferences when it sees the driver is sitting in the car.
The CX-60 will go on sale in Europe this year. True, it will not get into the USA, but we will get two SUVs built on the same platform: the two-row CX-70 and the three-row CX-90. The last of these will replace the CX-9 and will be launched next year. In total, Mazda will release five models on this rear-wheel-drive architecture, including the aforementioned three SUVs. We’ll almost certainly get a four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain, but six-cylinders seem questionable. The four-cylinder Skyactiv-X never showed up here, so we don’t know if a six-cylinder will, and diesel seems to be very dead in the US.
Update (March 8, 2:49 pm): Added information for US models based on Mazda’s RWD architecture.
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