Mazda CX-60 (2025) (2022 - )

While most manufacturers are charging ahead into a greener, cleaner future with the launch of plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles, Mazda made a bold move by investing in the development of a massive 3.3-litre diesel engine designed for its larger models. The first car to feature this new powertrain back in 2022 was the then flagship CX-60, and now that car has just received a number of upgrades for 2025.

The five-door, five-seat CX-60 has a commanding road presence and the latest vehicle features two new trim grades called Homura Plus and Takumi Plus that join the existing line-up of Exclusive Line, Homura and Takumi. New updates include a revised rear suspension system to enhance stability and comfort, also assisting improved control on high-speed cornering. This suspension set-up takes its lead from the all-new CX-80 seven-seater. Additionally, Mazda has introduced a new colour shade called Zircon Sand.

The powertrain line-up remains unchanged with the diesel unit featuring mild hybrid technology joined by Mazda’s first ever plug-in hybrid system. We opted for the Mazda CX-60 in the new range-topping Takumi Plus trim and powered by that mighty diesel engine with all-wheel drive for our test.
 

The CX-60 has real kerb appeal thanks to its powerful design with muscular lines, a honeycomb-effect gloss black grille, panoramic sunroof, LED light clusters and 20-inch Black Diamond Cut alloys. There are body-coloured wheel arches, side sill mouldings and door mirrors, along with a hands-free powered tailgate and privacy glass. It featured Soul Red Crystal paintwork which really helped it stand out from the crowd.

Moving inside, the elegant build quality is instantly apparent, with premium materials and finishes throughout. The seats are upholstered in white Nappa leather and, along with the steering wheel, are power-adjustable. The seats offer heat or ventilation settings and the steering wheel can be warmed against the chill too. The chunky gearstick adds a stylish touch, and a separate control panel makes it easy to adjust climate settings on the fly.

The main focal point and nerve centre of the CX-60 is a 12.3-inch central infotainment display, controlled via a rotary dial. Quick-access buttons provide instant shortcuts to the radio, navigation, and other settings, while features like the premium 12-speaker Bose surround sound system and wireless smartphone connectivity are simple to use and set up.

The driver display, behind the steering wheel, features three clear circular dials that show key driving data, such as speed and fuel efficiency. It’s all very simple, but effective. A special mention goes to the innovative Driver Personalisation System, making its debut in the CX-60. Using facial recognition, it identifies the driver as soon as they settle behind the wheel. Once activated, it automatically adjusts the seat, steering wheel, mirrors, temperature, head-up display, and radio station to match the individual’s saved preferences. Up to six different driver settings can be stored which is great news if the car is shared.
 

The CX-60 is powered by a 3.3-litre diesel engine delivering 254PS and 550Nm of torque. And that makes for impressive performance stats with a 0-62mph sprint time of just 7.4 seconds and a top speed of 136mph. Not bad for a family SUV that weighs in at just over two tonnes. The eight-speed automatic gearbox provides smooth, responsive acceleration, and the steering wheel-mounted paddles can be used for added driver engagement. 

It fizzes through the twisting B roads with excellent grip and minimal sign of body roll and will effortlessly sit at 70mph on dual carriageways or motorways. With its elevated seating, the CX-60 provides excellent driver visibility and remarkable agility, making it perfect for city driving. Plus, it's equipped with a variety of sensors, cameras, and driver assistance features to help navigate tight parking spots with ease.

It's quick and simple to access the drive modes via a Mi-Drive switch so you can flick between Sport, Normal and Off-Road to alter the responses and characteristics of the vehicle, with Sport bringing a certain edge to the mix. At times, its refinement falls short and the engine gets a tad vocal, but generally, the cabin and its occupants are well protected from any outside noise.

One of the areas that has seen upgrades for 2025 is the ride and handling. Revisions include changes to the rear suspension for better comfort and stability, such as softer rear springs and firmer shock absorber settings. These adjustments work with recalibrated stability systems to enhance both handling and ride comfort. To be honest, it was hard to detect the improvement without driving the car alongside its predecessor, but I’m sure they would become more noticeable in a twin-test environment.
 

The Mazda CX-60 has been designed with active families in mind and certainly covers all practicality bases well. It stretches 4,745mm in length, is 1,890mm wide (excluding the mirrors), 1,680mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,870mm. Up front, the driver and passenger are treated to bundles of room and the space in the back can comfortably accommodate two adults or, ideally, three youngsters. The high roofline is an added bonus and light floods the cabin through the panoramic sunroof and large windows, making for a bright and airy environment.

The boot is accessed via a powered tailgate and can swallow 570 litres of luggage, a capacity that expands to 1,726 litres when the 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats are folded flat. Additionally, throughout the cabin you will find a number of practical compartments to safely store bits and pieces. These include a glovebox, front and rear cup holders, a central cubby, door bins, a sunglasses holder, seat back pockets, some trays, a small compartment hidden next to the driver’s door and a wireless charging pad.

With its ability to tow a trailer or caravan weighing up to 2.5 tonnes and equipped with all-wheel drive, this Mazda is ideal for family caravan getaways. And its impressive 11.7-metre turning circle adds to the appeal, making manoeuvring a breeze even in confined spaces.
 

The Mazda CX-60 line-up is quite extensive especially with the introduction of the new high-end trims. The Plug-in Hybrid range starts from £46,530 for the Exclusive Line model and increases to £53,430 for the Takumi Plus version. The diesel-powered cars start from £46,430 for Exclusive Line and rise to £55,780 for the Takumi Plus model, as tested. Our car featured upgraded Soul Red paint that really looked the business and that added £900 to the final price-tag.

When it comes to the day-to day running costs our test car could deliver a WLTP-tested 51.4-53.3mpg on a combined run with carbon emissions of 142g/km. This CO2 reading would result in a first year Vehicle Excise Duty charge (or road tax as it is more commonly known) of £270, dropping to the standard fee of £190 after 12 months.
 

Business drivers choosing the diesel model will see a Benefit in Kind rate of 33 per cent, while those opting for the PHEV models fare better with a rate of just eight per cent. The Mazda CX-60 comes with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty and our Takumi Plus model sits in insurance group 39.
 

When you factor in the abundance of safety features and driver assistance aids that contributed to the CX-60 earning a maximum five-star rating from Euro NCAP, it’s clear that this Mazda is a well-rounded performer.

While some might argue that the diesel engine is a thing of the past, Mazda has demonstrated that there’s still value in continuing its development.