Mazda is rising out of the compact class and, with the CX-60, is chasing premium mid-range SUVs like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 for the first time. The Japanese are treading their own paths in terms of operation and drive. Before brand new six-cylinder engines (!) arrive next year, the Mazda CX-60 will start as a plug-in hybrid. “Krone” motor editor Stephan Schätzl has already driven it – his impressions here in the video!
Mazda has two goals by 2030: bring five electric cars on a new e-platform and become a real premium brand. The Mazda CX-60 pays into the latter account, along with its likewise new platform for longitudinal engines with rear or all-wheel drive. The PHEV starts with a system output of 327 hp, which is the output from the combination of the basically known 2.5-liter four-cylinder (here 191 hp) with a 129 kW/175 hp electric motor. This sits in the eight-speed automatic and accelerates the all-wheel drive vehicle up to 140 km/h when it has to do the work alone. A maximum of 63 kilometers electric WLTP range is possible with the 17.8 kWh battery in the ground, then you should plug it in if the drive principle should make sense (beyond tax savings): Two-phase charging is carried out with up to 7.2 kW , which means a full charge in 2:20 hours. It doesn’t matter, you’ll be driving the plug-in Mazda more comfortably anyway, otherwise the combustion engine will seem constantly stressed and spread a somewhat stressful atmosphere. When it’s pressed, the sprint to 100 km/h takes 5.8 seconds. Accordingly, the chassis is tuned for comfort. Long waves are absorbed, but we felt short bumps in the test car fitted with 20-inch wheels. Alternating curves and rapid changes of direction cause the body to shake. The steering is accurate, but has a very firm center position that feels almost like a click. On the other hand, the brake pedal feels flawless in every situation, even though the braking forces from recuperation and disc brakes are mixed together behind it. With other manufacturers, such as Mercedes, the pedal retracts automatically when you take your foot off the gas and recuperates. Instead, there will be newly developed six-cylinder engines: in January, a three-liter turbo diesel will be available in two power levels. The 200 hp should be content with just 4.9 l/100 km – and that in a two-ton SUV! As a six-cylinder! Impressive. The more powerful one delivers 254 hp and consumes 5.4 l/100 km according to WLTP. Like the corresponding four-cylinder in the Mazda3, for example, it works partly with compression ignition, similar to a diesel engine. But Mazda does not yet provide any information on consumption. The introduction of these engines alone is a sensation – in these performance ranges you only get four cylinders elsewhere. The white interior shines not only with nappa leather, but also with elegant fabric coverings and openly embroidered seams, which are based on the Japanese art of sewing Kakenui. It all looks very elegant. At least in new condition. The ravages of time will probably gnaw at the optics in the form of stubborn dust. A black interior in the base or in leather in the Homura equipment is probably more sensible. And you also have premium flair here. Only the unpadded door compartments and the hard plastic used around the bottom of the dashboard do not quite want to match the premium claim.Top control system without touchscreenIn terms of control system, Mazda is consistently swimming against the current. Although there are two 12.3-inch displays for the speedometer and navitainment in the CX-60, neither of them has touch functionality. Instead, the central display is operated via a rotary pushbutton, as BMW once perfected it (although the people of Munich are slowly saying goodbye to it). Advantage: less distraction while driving. There is also a real volume control, a separate control panel for the automatic climate control (which is a bit bizarre – more about that in the video) and real buttons on the steering wheel. Well done Mazda. But they meant it a little too well with the very high center armrest and the wide center console, which despite its sheer size only offers sparse storage space. Funny feature: The CX-60 automatically adjusts the seat, mirrors, etc. to the driver if you enters height, saves the settings and retrieves them next time via face recognition. But that’s no more than a show effect, it didn’t work well at all during the test drive. Massive body Even if you could mistake the CX-60 for a facelift of the CX-5 in photos, it differs significantly when you look at it in real life . At 4.75, it is not only 17 centimeters longer, it also has a wheelbase that is just as much longer (2.87 m). And at 1.67 meters, it is one centimeter flatter. Overall, the body of the CX-60 doesn’t quite match the elegance of the CX-5. And the fact that he got dummy exhausts is a faux pas that we didn’t expect from the brand. The space is okay, even in the trunk: 570 liters fit in there. The rear seat backrests can be unlocked remotely and provide 1726 liters of cargo space. There is an optional 230-volt socket at the rear left, which is capable of delivering 1500 watts. So you can use the big Mazda as an emergency generator until the tank is empty (50 litres)PricesThe fun starts at 49,950 euros. The base is already attractively equipped: two-zone air conditioning, cruise control, rear parking sensors, wireless CarPlay/Android Auto, navigation system, paddle shifters, traffic sign recognition, etc. are on board. And if you order everything that is available, you end up somewhere around 65,000 euros, including the most expensive paintwork, LED matrix lights and glass panorama roof. honorable. But you will look in vain for adaptive dampers. FahrzitMazda looks good with the new premium roller, the CX-60 looks valuable. The Japanese are also showing the courage to be different, for example with the touchscreen-less operating system, which represents a real gain in safety because it is less distracting than a touchscreen. But also with the combustion engine program. Six cylinders as economical engines instead of powerful top engines are unusual. Anyone considering an X3, Q5 or XC60 should perhaps stop by a Mazda dealer. Why? The operating system alone is enough to make a purchase recommendation. Well-tuned plug-in hybrid drive Why not? X3, Audi Q5, Mercedes GLC, Volvo XC60
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