► Mazda CX-60 long-term test
► Our final verdict
► Read month 1 here
Here in the UK, if you’re after a premium SUV and you’d rather avoid the default German options and instead go Japanese, your choices are limited. There are various options from Lexus, and there’s this. Not every Mazda has premium aspirations, but this definitely does, with its classy looks and serious pricing.
It was an intriguing prospect. After all, Mazda brought us the MX-5, so it knows how to make a car great to drive, and it’s no stranger to engineering ingenuity, with its history of rotary engines and range extenders. Mazda quality and reliability go without saying.
Some 7000 miles later, my enthusiasm for the proposition has waned somewhat. Let’s start with the good. Our mid-level Homura specification diesel mild hybrid weighs in at £54,357 with extras, which stands up well against a comparable Lexus. The 3.3-litre inline-six diesel is fantastic; 406 lb-ft of torque can get you moving rather swiftly, while returning 45mpg-ish in day-to-day use.
I like the styling too. However, the spacious interior is the real star of the show – it’s a masterclass in finish, materials, and ergonomics, with logically arranged physical controls.
The bad? The safety systems are intrusive and often unhelpful. The adaptive cruise control is abrupt and scared of the car’s own shadow too, meaning I leave it off more often than on. Reliability hasn’t lived up to expectations. The tailgate latch jammed one time on a photo shoot, unable to either open or close properly. Also, the CX-60 currently tells me it is both too low on AdBlue and simultaneously overfilled with AdBlue.
And the suspension… It squeaks chronically at low speeds. It’s brittle over bumps, verging on crashy at the rear, bouncy, and under-damped on undulating roads – passengers prone to seasickness beware.
Through corners, the car feels heavier than it is. And while the steering is nicely weighted and confidence-inspiring, the suspension betrays this feeling the instant you turn in.
A drastic rethink of the damping and dialing back the tech/safety systems would improve the CX-60 immeasurably. Then it would offer a left-field alternative to the usual premium SUV choices.
Logbook: Mazda CX-60 Homura e-Skyactiv D MHEV 3.3
Price £50,705 (£54,357 as tested)
Performance 3283cc diesel six-cylinder, 251bhp, 7.4sec 0-62mph, 136mph
Efficiency 53.3mpg (official), 44.0mpg (tested), 138g/km CO2
Energy cost 16.2p per mile
Miles this month 2647
Total miles 10,989
Count the cost
Cost new £54,357
Part-exchange £33,360
Cost per mile 16.2p
Cost per mile including depreciation £2.07