Mazda CX-60 Diesel Review

Read Caroline’s Mazda CX-60 diesel review for everything you need to know about Mazda’s new flagship CX-60 3.3-litre diesel SUV.

The Mazda CX-60 arrived in Ireland late in 2022 and slots into the Mazda range above the popular CX-5.

Now Mazda has added a diesel to the CX-60 range, which joins the plug-in hybrid already on sale.

The new diesel is part of Mazda’s ‘multi-solution approach’ to sustainable mobility, with Mazda designers and engineers making a case for the relevance of launching a new diesel engine in the CX-60 range in 2023.

But it’s an unusual move these days when the industry is moving more rapidly towards hybrid and electric. So has Mazda done the right thing to bring diesel to the CX-60 range?

Caroline travelled to Barcelona, Spain, with Mazda Ireland, to drive the new CX-60 diesel and find out if it just might be the best of the range.

Styling

The Mazda CX-60 is currently the largest Mazda SUV on sale, though that will change when the brand launches a new seven-seat CX-80 before the end of the year. But for now, the CX-60 has all the presence of a large premium SUV, and is a step up in size and design from the Mazda CX-5. At the front, the large grille and long bonnet accentuate the CX-60’s flagship status within the Mazda range. Sculpted surfaces create a powerful and dynamic-looking SUV. There are a range of trim levels available for the diesel CX-60, with the top of the range Homura and the Takumi looking the best with larger alloy wheels and some unique trim elements like body coloured wheel arches. The diesel gets cools ‘inline 6’ badging on each side, while at the back there’s an ‘e-Skyactiv-D’ badge.

Interior

The CX-60 diesel gets the same high class cabin as the plug-in hybrid. It’s a classic Mazda cabin with an intuitive design and excellent built quality. The materials used are all of good quality, with plenty of leather available. Mazda’s Driver Personalisation System adjusts the steering column and driver’s seat for your height for the perfect driving position. The driving position is also noticeably higher than in a CX-5, more lofty, more luxurious. In the centre of the dashboard there’s a 12-inch screen that allows touch control of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto while the car is stationary. The classic Mazda rotary dial on the centre console allows simple intuitive control while driving to limit distraction.

Practicality

Bigger than a CX-5, the CX-60 offers more legroom in the back, while the rear bench can seat three more comfortably. The doors open wide, making access easy. There’s a 570-litre boot, with a powered tailgate also available.

Engine

The newly developed six-cylinder, 3.3-litre diesel is called e-Skyactiv D and is offered with 200hp and rear wheel drive, as well as 254hp and all wheel drive. Fuel consumption is rated as low as 5 litres per 100 kilometres in rear wheel drive versions and 5.2 litres per 100 kilometres in all wheel drive versions – not bad for such a large capacity engine.

According to Mazda, advanced combustion technology makes the new e-Skyactiv D one of the cleanest diesel engines in the world. But why not use a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder diesel like everyone else? Mazda says their ‘right sizing’ approach using large capacity engines improves both fuel and power efficiency. The new CX-60 diesel also uses mild hybrid technology to improve fuel economy and environmental performance using energy recuperated during vehicle coasting or slowing to assist the internal combustion engine. It’s also said to increase smoothness during transmission shifts. The engine also features a new innovation from Mazda – DCPCI (Distribution Controlled Partially Premixed Compression Ignition) to improve engine efficiency, emissions and fuel economy, by increasing the speed range at which lean burn is possible (high efficiency combustion with minimal fuel consumption).

CO2 emissions mean that motor tax in Ireland will be just €200/210 per year depending on model.

Driving

Mazda’s strategy has worked well in the CX-60 in terms of efficiency. During my test drive, I easily achieved Mazda’s claimed fuel consumption and even saw consumption as low as 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres on a high speed motorway run in the rear wheel drive version. Performance is good too, particularly in the all wheel drive diesel, which has 550Nm of torque and can sprint to 100km/h in 7.4 seconds. Like the PHEV, the Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) offers a few different drive modes. An eight-speed automatic transmission comes as standard. Gear changes are smooth though it doesn’t quite feel like the silkiest, creamiest diesel of all time. There’s the faint noise of diesel gurgle, which gets louder and coarser under hard acceleration – though the characteristic sound of a six cylinder engine will be music to many ears, and the delivery of power is pretty fun too.

Mostly the CX-60 diesel is well-behaved in its response. It’s an enjoyable SUV to drive and feels more accomplished overall than the Mazda CX-60 plug-in hybrid, though it’s still cheaper to buy and actually the most powerful of the range (327hp). Though unless you are willing to keep its battery topped up and do lots of EV driving, the CX-60 diesel seems like a more practical option.

However the firm ride still feels at odds with what will most likely be used as a family car. When cruising, that’s not so much of an issue. But in town it bumps over ramps and other imperfections in the road surface without the finesse of an upmarket SUV. On the plus side, the CX-60 is quite agile and fun to drive, with the 3.3 diesel weighing about the same as Mazda’s 2.2 unit. The towing capacity of the CX-60 is up to 2.5 tonnes.

An in-line straight-six 3.0 litre e-Skyactiv X petrol engine will join the CX-60 e-Skyactiv D and PHEV at a later date.

Pricing

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Written by Caroline Kidd

Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year