Knocking on the luxury segment’s doors

First-ever Mazda CX-60 goes even further upmarket.

Mazda has taken the wraps off its highly anticipated first-ever Mazda CX-60, ushering in a new era of design, build quality, and dynamic performance for the brand and underscoring its Mazda Premium philosophy.

The Japan-made all-new CX-60 represents everything that Mazda has built into its DNA over the last 100 years – from the standout exterior and interior design to the finest luxury car-level Japanese craftsmanship, world-leading powertrains, and a stunning new driver-centric platform.

“The Mazda CX-60 is more than an exciting new SUV; it’s the evolution of Mazda Premium—a high-quality concentration of design, driving dynamics, technology, and comfort. It offers unmatched distinction in every way,” said Steven Tan, President and CEO of Mazda Philippines.

Every facet of the CX-60 has been scrutinized to bring the Mazda Jinba-Ittai experience of car and driver at its highest ever level. This starts with Mazda’s Large Vehicle Platform that features a highly rigid bodyshell matched to a front double wishbone and rear multi-link suspension setup, delivering a first-rate driving experience.

One aspect that immediately stood out is that the Mazda CX-60 exudes genuine luxury. Its front-engine, rear-wheel drive mechanical layout not only delivers imposing strength and elegance, but also maximizes the driver’s potential by distributing the lateral and longitudinal workload between the two axles. Furthermore, by placing the powertrain units at the center, it achieves a more balanced handling performance. The unique packaging also helps reduce its turning radius to a compact 5.4 meters, smaller than other similarly-sized SUVs.

Kinematic Posture Control further adds stability when cornering by braking the inside rear wheel to mitigate body roll. The optimal positioning of the high-voltage battery between the front and rear axles and located as low as possible further contributes to the low center of gravity.

Mazda’s new-generation 3.3-liter longitudinally-mounted 6-cylinder engine is available in both gasoline and diesel variants.

The inline-6 configuration produces less vibration due to its characteristic ‘perfect balance.’ This delivers a smooth and quiet engine note, while delivering a clean and engaging sound at higher rpm. Its intelligent lightweight construction means it is lighter than Mazda’s own four-cylinder Skyactiv engine family.

The turbocharged petrol HEV e-SKYACTIV-G engine produces a strong 284ps and 450Nm and delivers an impressive 0-100 kph time of just 6.9 seconds, while the turbo-diesel HEV e-SKYACTIV-D produces 254ps and a stunning 550Nm and does the same sprint in 7.3 seconds. Both offer a top speed of 219 kph.

The CX-60 employs a newly-developed SKYACTIV-DRIVE 8-speed automatic transmission without a torque converter. The use of an electronically controlled multi-plate system in place of a torque converter results in smooth switching between gears while also enabling accurate control of the M Hybrid Boost electric motor.

The new rear-biased i-ACTIV All-Wheel Drive system is supported by Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive), facilitating switching between four different driving modes to suit different driving conditions: Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing. This allows drivers to optimize traction, performance, handling, and safety in the widest possible range of driving environments.

What I appreciate most in terms of the Mazda CX-60’s design is that, while retaining all the essential characteristics and elements of the Mazda brand, it elevates these attributes even further and takes it to a new level.

The removal of character lines reveals beautifully crafted panels, asserting the distinctively bold character of the Evolved Kodo Design.

The all-new platform creates an SUV with ideal proportions, with the long hood and rearward cabin design. The powerful grille with its iconic wing shape is highlighted by sweeping adaptive LED headlamps, featuring a distinctive lighting signature.

Both CX-60 variants feature 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels with 235/50R20 tires, a panoramic sunroof, and a hands-free power tailgate with height adjustment memory. The petrol-powered 3.3L AWD HEV Turbo showcases the signature Mazda design with its diamond-cut alloy wheels, gloss black bar-type grille, and bright chrome on the front signature wing, fender garnish, side window moulding, and exhaust finishers. 

Meanwhile, the diesel 3.3L AWD HEV Turbo-D Sport conveys a dignified look with its black metallic alloy wheels, gloss black honeycomb grille and side view mirrors, black chrome on the front signature wing, fender garnish, and exhaust finishers, and matte black side window molding.

The new CX-60 debuts Rhodium White Premium. Joining Soul Red Crystal and Machine Gray, the latest Takuminuri color is the purest white developed by Mazda. This accentuates the shadows on the surface of the vehicle, complementing the paint’s inherent metallic texture and finish.

The elegance, sophistication and attention to detail that is exuded with the exterior is likewise reflected with the interior. The cabin of the CX-60 sets new standards for interior quality, design, and technology. The interior design concept presents a wide instrument panel with continuous lines that run through the cabin, while the horizontally symmetrical layout is centered around the driver to deliver the same carefully considered cockpit design found in all Mazdas. It offers an unparalleled, ergonomically excellent driving position that feels natural and supportive, with the ideal pedal and seat alignment, and new levels of comfort and space for passengers. With the generous 570-liter cargo hold, it is the most practical car in Mazda’s lineup. This can be expanded further with the 40:20:40 split-folding rear seat. The rear seats also come equipped with a center armrest with cup holders and dual USB Type-C ports.

Three main displays—a 12.3-inch fully digital driver’s instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment center display, and a 10.4-inch heads-up display put all the information right where it is needed. Meanwhile, the Mazda Commander Control knob has been optimally positioned to allow its operation with the user’s arm resting comfortably on the center armrest.

Both the front door grips and armrests have been designed to offer enhanced grip and support. The door armrests are now set at the same height as the center armrest for ergonomic symmetry and maximum occupant comfort.

Every design element of the CX-60’s interior serves a purpose; nothing is purely ornamental, putting focus on the highest level of Japanese craftsmanship.

The 3.3L AWD HEV Turbo features aluminum panels and silver accents, black Nappa leather seats, and black leather interior upholstery. The 3.3L AWD HEV Turbo-D Sport, on the other hand, achieves the highest levels of craftsmanship with graphite panels and gunmetal accents, and tan Nappa leather seats with quilted Leganu suede inserts. The opulent color is accented on the dashboard center, door cards, and even on the steering wheel—a first for Mazda. Both variants offer 10-way power front seat adjustment, front seat ventilation, electric steering wheel adjustment, wireless device charging, ambient lighting, and dual-zone climate control with rear vents.

The latest Mazda Connect infotainment system allows passengers to connect via wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while a 12-speaker Bose sound system delivers expanded liveliness and reinforced low pitch for a full auditory experience.

The Driver Personalization System, a new innovation from Mazda, debuts in the Mazda CX-60. This makes it easy for drivers to achieve their ideal driving position.

After entering the driver’s height data via the infotainment center display, the automatic driving position guide uses an in-car camera to detect the location of their eyes. It then automatically adjusts the seat, steering wheel, Active Driving Display, and door mirrors to match the driver’s height and eye position.

The system also uses facial recognition to remember each driver’s preferences. Once the driver is detected, the CX-60 automatically restores more than 250 stored settings to match their preferences, including vehicle, audio, and climate control settings. The system stores settings for up to six different users, plus guests.

The Driver Entry/Exit Assist function slides the steering wheel and seat out of the way to make it easier for drivers to get into and out of the Mazda CX-60.

A range of i-Activsense driver assistance systems are designed to deliver safety performance for both occupants and other road users, including pedestrians.

Several of these new technologies are first introduced in the Mazda CX-60. These include See-Through View, which builds on Mazda’s current 360° View Monitor by projecting natural footage of the vehicle’s surroundings, Hill Descent Control (HDC), which makes descending slippery road surfaces such as dirt tracks much safer, and Blind Spot Monitoring with Vehicle Exit Warning that alerts occupants if an object is coming into the vehicle’s blind spot as they are opening the door.

Furthermore, the Rear Cross Traffic Alert has been updated with Rear Cross Brake Support which automatically applies the brakes if there is a possibility of collision with a vehicle approaching from the rear when reversing out of a parking space.

These features enhance the full level of protection provided by the Mazda CX-60’s i- Activsense safety suite which offers Mazda Radar Cruise Control, Front Smart Brake Support with Forward Obstruction Warning, Rear Smart Brake Support, Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist, Front Cross Traffic Alert, Driver Monitoring System, and Driver Attention Alert.

The first-ever Mazda CX-60 comes in paint finishes that display elegance and grace. These include Rhodium White Premium, Soul Red Crystal, Machine Gray, Platinum Quartz, Sonic Silver, Deep Crystal Blue, and Jet Black. The price for the CX-60 3.3L AWD HEV Turbo is ₱ 2,790,000, while the CX-60 3.3L AWD HEV Turbo-D Sport goes for ₱ 2,890,000.

If the price tag is any indication, it’s that not only does Mazda want to put more emphasis on their premium branding, but that there is a commitment to release a product that accomplishes just that.

The price is inclusive of a 5-year Free Service Plan which covers the expenses of periodic maintenance at either 6-month or 10,000-kilometer intervals for up to 5 years or 100,000 kilometers, whichever comes first. This is on top of a 3-year bumper-to-bumper warranty.

Bermaz Auto Philippines, Inc. (Mazda Philippines) is the exclusive distributor of Mazda vehicles and parts in the Philippines. Mazda Philippines’ exemplary after-sales service record has been ranked #1 in the industry twice–in the 2016 and 2019 J.D. Power Customer Service Index Study. There are 15 Mazda 3S dealerships located across the Philippines and Metro Manila – Mazda Greenhills, Mazda Quezon Avenue, Mazda Makati, Mazda Alabang, Mazda Sta. Rosa, Mazda Pulilan, Mazda Pampanga, Mazda Dagupan, Mazda Cabanatuan, Mazda Tarlac, Mazda Cebu, Mazda Iloilo, Mazda Bacolod, Mazda Cagayan De Oro, and Mazda Davao.