Mazda launched the CX-60 as the herald of the company's rear-wheel-drive era. It burst onto the scene boasting a novel architecture and a selection of new engines. Among these, the inline-six diesel engine has caught the most attention, despite the vehicle's absence from the U.S. market. Stateside, Mazda counters with the CX-90, a heftier three-row version of the same model, both garnering warm early reviews.
Recently, our associates at km77.com had the opportunity to put the CX-60 to the test around a series of cones, choosing the inline-six diesel variant for the trial. This powertrain, popular in Europe, has a displacement of 3.3 liters and can deliver an impressive 254 horsepower. An eight-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system complement this powerful six-cylinder beast, presenting a formidable competitor against Germany's premium trio in the mid-sized crossover space: the Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLC, and BMW X3.
The tested vehicle came equipped with 20-inch wheels and Toyo Proxes Sport tires, sized at 235/50. This wheel dimension is the only option for the top-of-the-line Takumi grade. Some markets, like Spain, offer the entry-level model with 18-inch wheels. Also, it's worth noting that the CX-60 is available in Europe with a plug-in hybrid powertrain and a 3.0-liter turbo gas unit.
Turning our attention to the moose test, the km77.com team put the CX-60 through its paces, navigating around the cones without contact at an impressive 77 km/h (47.8 mph). Considering the size and weight of this SUV, the result is noteworthy. The test driver observed that while the CX-60 might lack some agility due to its dimensions and elevated center of gravity, it outperformed many other SUVs in its segment.
Source: km77
