11 Minutes
Introduction: The Mazda CX-60’s Road to Reinvention
The 2025 Mazda CX-60 debuts with significant updates, marking a bold shift in Mazda’s SUV strategy. Once introduced as a luxury SUV contender aiming for the likes of BMW, Audi, and Volvo, the Mazda CX-60 has pivoted to offer unmatched value – delivering impressive engineering, powerful engines, and premium features at a far more accessible price point. This refresh not only enhances the model’s driving dynamics and comfort but also repositions the CX-60 as an upper-mainstream SUV, making it a compelling alternative to both mainstream and entry-luxury competitors. For car enthusiasts and families seeking a sophisticated yet affordable SUV, this comprehensive Mazda CX-60 review explores what sets the 2025 update apart in today’s competitive automotive landscape.
Background: From Premium Aspirations to Mainstream Mastery
Every great SUV has a story, and the CX-60’s journey is certainly unique. Initially, Mazda intended to break from the crowd by forgoing the electric-only bandwagon during the pandemic and instead investing in a premium, combustion-engine platform. This new architecture features longitudinally-mounted inline six-cylinder engines and a rear-wheel-drive bias – a refreshing stand for driving enthusiasts. The stakes were high: with Mazda’s size a fraction of automotive giants like Volkswagen, their approach had to be flawless.
Expectations soared, especially after the critical and commercial success of Mazda’s CX-5 and CX-9 in the 2010s. The launch of the CX-60 brought hope with choices of advanced six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, plus a tax-incentivized plug-in hybrid (PHEV). However, early missteps marred its debut. High asking prices paired with a brittle suspension and clunky transmission left customers and reviewers underwhelmed. Positioned against base BMW X3, Volvo XC60, and Audi Q5 models, its value was questioned; feedback centered on harsh ride quality and transaction prices dropped below expectations.
In response, Mazda rolled out gradual improvements: updated shock absorbers, refined transmission software, and broader enhancements seen in newer siblings like the CX-70, CX-80, and CX-90. For 2025, the changes are further-reaching, delivering a comprehensively tuned suspension, a sharper pricing strategy, and an SUV built to redeem Mazda’s ambitious investment.
Design: Sophistication Meets Practicality
Exterior Styling
The 2025 Mazda CX-60 embodies Mazda’s “Kodo: Soul of Motion” design philosophy, blending athletic proportions with elegant detailing. The robust, rear-drive architecture gives the CX-60 a purposeful stance uncommon in its price bracket. Up front, signature LED headlights, a sculpted grille, and bold wheel arches underscore its premium leanings.
Wheel choices – ranging from 18-inch alloys on the Pure trim to 20-inch machined-finish alloys on the GT and Azami – allow buyers to tailor the look from pragmatic to downright sporty. Eight body colors, including striking tones like Rhodium White Metallic, Soul Red Crystal, and new Zircon Sand, provide further customization. It’s an SUV with visual impact, clearly designed to turn heads on urban roads and country highways alike.
Interior Design and Build
Inside, the CX-60 continues to impress. The cabin exudes a quiet confidence, with meticulous attention to material quality and craftsmanship. While entry-level variants stick to durable cloth or artificial leather, higher trims indulge buyers with genuine leather, nappa leather, and stylish touches like stitched dashboards and wood trim. The GT and Azami add panoramic sunroofs, BOSE premium audio, and power-adjustable seating, rivaling premium SUVs many thousands dearer.
Ample space for both front and rear occupants, intuitive controls, quality switchgear, and a thoughtful arrangement of storage cubbies make the CX-60’s interior not only beautiful but highly functional. Key infotainment features—like a 10.25-inch or 12.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless charging, and a digital instrument cluster—are either standard or easily accessible as you move up the range.
Powertrains and Specifications
Engine Lineup and Performance Figures
Mazda’s 2025 CX-60 range now revolves around three advanced engines, each optimizing either performance, efficiency, or electrification:
- 3.3L Inline Six Turbo Petrol (G40e Mild Hybrid): Delivers 209 kW and 450 Nm, starting at an aggressive $50,240. It offers a smooth and robust power delivery, with plenty of low-end grunt, making city and highway driving equally satisfying.
- 3.3L Inline Six Turbo Diesel (D50e Mild Hybrid): Rated at 187 kW and a muscular 550 Nm, priced from $52,240. This engine shines for its effortless torque, efficient highway cruising, and an impressive real-world fuel economy, stretching ranges up to 1,000 kilometers per tank.
- 2.5L Inline Four Plug-In Hybrid (P50e): Produces a combined 241 kW and 500 Nm, kicking off at $63,290. The PHEV is capable of 50 kilometers of electric-only driving and extremely low official fuel consumption (2.1L/100km).
Each engine is mated to Mazda's evolved 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive as standard. Real-world performance ensures the CX-60 feels responsive and composed – no matter the configuration.
Trim Grades and Standard Features
Buyers can choose from five distinct trims, each catering to different tastes and budgets. Here’s what each level offers:
- Pure: Best for budget-conscious buyers or fleet operators. Features 18-inch alloys, AWD, LED headlamps, 10.25-inch touchscreen (12.3-inch on PHEV), wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a manually adjustable driver’s seat.
- Evolve: Adds artificial leather, power tailgate, 360-degree camera, wireless charger, and upgrades all digital instrumentation.
- Touring: The value sweet spot. Upgrades to full black leather, heated and electrically adjustable front seats (with driver memory), and retains cushioned 18-inch wheels for comfort.
- GT: Luxury on a slightly higher budget. 20-inch alloys, body-color cladding, panoramic sunroof, adaptive LED headlights, BOSE stereo, heated rear seats, and extra tech refinement offer a near-premium experience.
- Azami: The flagship. Highlights include black nappa leather, ventilated seats, extended soft-touch trim, and unique exterior details. Two personalization packages—Takumi (white nappa, wood trim) and SP (tan leather, blacked-out accents)—let buyers indulge further.
With this streamlined range, Mazda has made it easy to get the features and style you want—without unnecessary complexity—while competitive pricing undercuts nearly all comparable European entrants.
Driving Experience: Comfort, Control, and Power Refined
Suspension and Chassis Updates
Mazda clearly listened to early CX-60 feedback. The 2025 refresh brings a completely retuned suspension—softer spring rates, revised geometry, and the removal of the rear anti-roll bar. These tweaks dramatically improve comfort over poor surfaces while preserving the fun-to-drive character expected from a rear-biased Mazda SUV.
Handling remains sporty for the segment, with direct steering, quick responses, and a neatly balanced chassis delivering light oversteer in spirited driving. Unlike some rivals, the CX-60 maintains a natural steering feel—heavy enough for confidence, light enough for city maneuvers.
The six-cylinder petrol and diesel are dynamic highlights, with strong acceleration, broad torque bands, and distinctly satisfying engine notes. The diesel, in particular, stands out for real-world efficiency and long-distance ease. While the PHEV impresses in short EV commutes, it’s less harmonious when running solely on petrol, especially with the heavy battery in tow.
Comparisons: How the CX-60 Stacks Up
With the price shift, the CX-60 struggles against the world’s best luxury SUVs but excels against mainstream and near-luxury competition. Compared to mid-tier Volkswagen Tiguan, Toyota RAV4, or Kia Sportage models, the CX-60’s power, interior apportionment, and ride quality are superior. Cost-wise, even the highest CX-60 trims undercut base BMW X3, Volvo XC60, and Audi Q5 by thousands—offering more engine under the hood and a distinctly premium vibe inside.
Interior Comfort and Technology
Space and Practicality
One of the biggest boons of the CX-60’s upscale roots is its airy, sophisticated cabin. The 2025 price cuts do not come at the expense of build quality; Mazda’s assembly is consistently tight and robust across all trims. Even taller occupants enjoy generous headroom and legroom, and soft-touch materials in all but the base trim ensure a premium feel throughout the cabin.
The rear seats easily accommodate adults on long trips, with dedicated rear air vents, USB-C charging points, and—in higher trims—household power sockets. The cargo bay, while not segment-leading in volume (477 liters), is sensibly shaped and suited to family gear, groceries, or travel luggage. Split-folding seats with remote releases and a space-saver spare provide daily convenience.
Infotainment and Everyday Usability
The 2025 CX-60 retains Mazda’s straightforward, driver-focused layout. Rotaries and physical buttons for climate and core media controls trump over-reliance on touchscreens, improving usability on rough roads. The 12.3-inch Mazda Connect touchscreen available from mid trims and above is sharp and responsive, seamlessly integrating wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. All trims include USB-C ports and, from Evolve on, wireless charging.
One notable omission is enhanced connected services—remote climate activation and comprehensive app integration are not yet available. While some competitors offer features like massaging seats or built-in rear sunshades, the CX-60 prioritizes essentials and tactile feedback over occasional indulgences, striking a sensible balance for daily use.
Market Positioning: The CX-60’s Value Proposition
Mazda’s strategic repositioning means the CX-60 offers more car for the money than ever before. At a starting drive-away price of $53,990 for a six-cylinder turbo, the CX-60 sits below or alongside mainstream SUVs like the Volkswagen Tiguan, Toyota RAV4, and its own CX-5, while offering larger dimensions, superior engines, and a richer interior environment. The GT and Touring trims provide near-premium levels of comfort and tech at a fraction of European rival prices.
For buyers desiring performance and presence, the CX-60’s six-cylinder choices offer significantly more power and torque than the typical four-cylinder competition. Even the premium plug-in hybrid is now priced far more competitively, appealing to those seeking eco-friendly commutes with the flexibility of petrol power for longer journeys.
Ultimately, the 2025 Mazda CX-60 carves a strong niche by blending premium aspirations—rear-drive feel, luxury cabin, and smooth six-cylinder engines—with mainstream value, reliability, and ease of ownership.
Ownership Costs and Running Expenses
The 2025 CX-60’s running costs depend on your chosen engine. The mild hybrid six-cylinders are thriftier than expected for their performance, with the diesel 3.3L using as little as 6.5L/100km in real-world conditions and the petrol averaging around 10L/100km in mixed driving. The payback for opting for diesel is tangible for higher mileage drivers.
The PHEV promises remarkable efficiency (2.1L/100km official) if the 17.8kWh battery is regularly charged—ideal for suburban commuters with solar charging access—but will consume 8–11L/100km on petrol when the battery is depleted. The former tax break for PHEV company cars is now limited, reducing fringe benefit gains on novated leases.
All Mazda CX-60s are covered by a generous five-year, unlimited-kilometer warranty and a capped price servicing program for up to seven years. Professional servicing costs for the first five years previously totaled around $3,360, but Mazda’s ongoing revisions may see these decrease further, aligning costs with high-volume mainstream rivals.
Safety: Five-Star Assurance
The CX-60 upholds Mazda’s strong safety record, earning a five-star ANCAP safety rating (based on Euro NCAP crash tests). It scored highly for adult and child passenger safety, pedestrian protection, and safety assist technologies. Every trim features autonomous emergency braking (for both high and low speeds, with pedestrian and cyclist detection), lane keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, reversing camera, blind spot monitoring, and traffic support aids.
Mid and high trims benefit from advanced features like adaptive cruise control with lane centering, 360-degree cameras, driver monitoring, and adaptive LED headlights. Some add-ons found in Korean rivals (like blind spot cameras) are not present, but the overall array is comprehensive and user-friendly.
Comparison With Competitors
Placed against mainstream SUVs like the Volkswagen Tiguan, Toyota RAV4, and Kia Sportage, the Mazda CX-60 stands out with its captivating design, superior engine offerings, and a notably more premium interior. Against the base models of the BMW X3, Audi Q5, and Volvo XC60, the CX-60 offers comparable refinement and equipment for significantly less. While some may find the European rivals more polished in dynamic finesse, few can match the CX-60’s blend of value and performance.
Even against Mazda’s own CX-5, the CX-60 represents a more substantial and refined experience—offering an alternative to buyers ready to move up without venturing into full premium territory.
The Final Verdict: Why the 2025 Mazda CX-60 Deserves Your Attention
The story of the Mazda CX-60 is one of learning and adaptation. Mazda’s ambitious foray into the luxury market might not have panned out as hoped, but the result is a thoroughly upgraded and polished SUV that delivers exceptional value for buyers. Two potent six-cylinder engines—rare among mainstream SUVs—provide muscle and sophistication, while the plug-in hybrid appeals to the eco-conscious.
While not flawless—the ride, though vastly improved, can still be a touch firm, and digital connectivity features lag behind some rivals—the 2025 Mazda CX-60 is a thoroughly satisfying proposition. It’s an SUV that stands tall for design, offers premium interior appointments, and brings a powerful, rewarding driving experience to a broader audience, all at prices that undercut most competitors.
If you crave a larger, more powerful, and distinct SUV backed by Mazda’s reputation for quality and reliability, the 2025 CX-60 is a must-test-drive on your automotive shortlist.
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