Mid-tier petrol bias for CX-60

MAZDA Australia has this week launched its keenly anticipated CX-60 SUV range Down Under; the three-grade line-up offered with an all-hybrid powertrain range comprising turbocharged diesel and petrol mild-hybrid six-cylinder and petrol plug-in hybrid four-cylinder offerings.

Larger, and more premium than the CX-5, the CX-60 is the first of three SUVs the Hiroshima-based company will import to Australia based on its all-new longitudinal – and rear-wheel drive biased – architecture.

With pricing beginning from $59,800 plus on-road costs – and topping out at an exxy $87,252 +ORC – Mazda says the CX-60 range is expected to “complement, rather than cannibalise” sales of the similarly-sized CX-5, which retails from $35,510 through to $54,500 +ORC.

According to Mazda Australia marketing director, Alastair Doak, Australian CX-60 buyers are expected to favour mid-tier, petrol-powered variants, despite the availability of more powerful and technologically advanced variants higher in the range.

“In terms of the model mix, we’re expecting the (mid-tier) GT to account for 50 per cent of the overall sales, with the petrol 3.3-litre MHEV accounting for about 45 per cent overall,” he detailed.

“In the pre-ordering phase of this car, we have seen a greater percentage of buyers choosing the plug-in hybrid, which really isn’t a surprise in the model life of a car given that early adopters are usually keen to experience the ‘latest and greatest’ in terms of technology.

“But the longer-term figures (we project) show that the petrol-powered GT is likely to be the ‘sweet spot’ in the range.”

Mr Doak said that once the initial rush for higher-grade models had subsided, it was expected entry-grade Evolve variants will account for 30 per cent of the model mix, with the remaining 20 per cent favouring the flagship, Azami.

Under the bonnet – and again when sales had settled into their stride – he said local buyers are expected to opt for diesel power (35 per cent) over the dearer PHEV offering (20 per cent).

As reported by GoAuto earlier this year, the CX-60 will offer 3.3-litre petrol (G40e) and diesel (D50e) turbocharged six-cylinder engines outputting 209kW/450Nm and 187kW/550Nm respectively. According to ADR Combined cycle testing, the duo consumes 7.4- and 4.9 litres per 100km respectively while emitting 171- and 128 grams per kilometre of CO2.

Further, the line-up will include Mazda’s first plug-in hybrid offering in the Australian market, the combined 2.5-litre petrol and electric motor (P50e) driveline offering an impressive 241kW/500Nm combined output number alongside a Combined cycle fuel figure of just 2.1L/100km and a CO2 number of 49g/km.

Deliveries of the CX-60 are expected to commence imminently with some 16,000 expressions of interest in the model likely to be converted into solid orders.

Prospective CX-60 buyers may choose from three grades, three powertrains and four options packages, totalling 14 possible configurations.

The CX-60 Evolve (from $59,800 +ORC) features synthetic ‘Maztex’ black leather upholstery, 18-inch alloys, LED headlights, a powered tailgate, dual-zone climate control, a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, a 12.3-inch instrument panel display in the plug-in hybrid (PHEV), a seven-inch instrument panel for the six-cylinder variants, a wireless phone charger, built-in satellite navigation, Android Auto/Apple Carplay smartphone mirroring and a 360-degree parking camera view.

Mid-tier GT variants add a gloss black grille and black 20-inch alloys, swaps out the base model’s bare black exterior plastics for body-coloured items, adds a light-coloured interior upholstery option and brings a full 12.3-inch instrument panel for all drivetrains, a power-adjustable steering column, a hands-free mode for the power tailgate, a heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats, a panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable front seats, personalised driver profile settings and a premium Bose audio system with 12 speakers.

Finally, the range-topping Azami is externally identifiable by its unique slatted front grille, machined-face 20-inch alloys and adaptive LED headlamps. Inside are high-grade Nappa leather and fabric upholstery, ventilated front seats and a frameless interior rear view mirror. Driver assist upgrades include semi-autonomous Cruising and Traffic Support tech and a ‘see-through’ mode for its 360-degree parking camera system.

Visit GoAuto again soon for our local launch review of the 2023 Mazda CX-60.

2023 Mazda CX-60 pricing*:

2023 Mazda CX-60 option pricing*

*Prices include LCT and exclude on-road costs.