Mazda CX-60 2024 review: Azami SP petrol

Mazda’s new CX-60 line-up kicks off from $59,800, before on-road costs, for the Evolve grade with a petrol engine, but the car we have on test is the top-of-the-line Azami priced at $73,000.

That’s a steep $13,000 jump, but you do get a bevy of features to help justify the increased cost.

As standard, the base CX-60 come fitted with 18-inch wheels, a 7.0-inch driver display, manually adjustable front seats, synthetic leather interior, an eight-speaker sound system and a 10.25-inch multimedia screen.

The car we have on test is the top-of-the-line Azami priced at $73,000. (Image: Tung Nguyen)

However, the Azami upgrades all these items with 20-inch wheels, an all-digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster, front electronic seat adjustment with memory function, full-nappa leather trim, 12-speaker Bose sound system and a 12.3-inch multimedia display.

Naturally, the Azami also boasts a number of other upmarket features like heated and cooled front seats, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel and frameless rear view mirror.

Keep in mind, though, family SUV ‘must-haves’ like dual-zone climate control, a powered tailgate, in-built satellite navigation, a wireless smartphone charger and keyless entry are found throughout the entire CX-60 line-up regardless of grade.

The Azami boasts a number of upmarket features. (Image: Tung Nguyen)

So, is it worth the extra spend to get the Azami over an Evolve or GT?

At $60,000, the Evolve is still pricier than the most feature-packed Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and Toyota RAV4, and significantly less than upmarket rivals like the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, Audi Q5 and BMW X5, while offering a long list of attractive features for families.

At $73,000, the Azami is a harder pill to swallow as options like the Audi Q5, Lexus NX and Volvo XC60 start to near its orbit.

The Azami grade gets a full-nappa leather trim. (Image: Tung Nguyen)

And while the CX-60 does have more equipment than some closely-priced rivals, the others are perceived as genuine luxury brands, whereas Mazda is still seen as mainstream.

How much value you put on brand cache is up to you, but for me and my money? I’d still take the Mazda CX-60 Azami over anything from Europe in this price range simply due to the high-quality fit and finish of the cabin and long list of features.

Keep in mind, though, I’m also happy with a Domino’s pizza over a proper, woodfired pie from 400 Gradi, so of course, your mileage will vary.

Upfront of the Azami grade is a 12.3-inch multimedia display. (Image: Tung Nguyen)

Measuring 4740mm long, 1890mm wide and 1675mm tall with a 2870mm wheelbase, the CX-60 Azami is comfortably bigger than a CX-5, as well as the Hyundai Tucson and Toyota RAV4.

In fact, the CX-60 sizes up closer to seven-seat mid-size SUVs like the Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan X-Trail, and what that means for Mazda’s two-row-only model is more interior space for passengers.

And that’s a good thing, too, because the CX-5 is on the smaller spectrum of mid-size SUVs, so if you find yourself needing a little more room (maybe with a growing family) the CX-60 will fit the bill.

Boot space measures 477 litres with all seats in place, expanding to a sizeable 1726L with the second row folded.

However, room in the rear is only marginally better than the CX-5’s 438L, and it can still get tricky to fit a full-sized pram in there.

Like the CX-5, you can’t just throw it in there and shut the boot, I found I had to position the large wheels of the pram right up against the backrests before the boot had enough clearance to shut tight.

And while this was the same problem I found with the CX-5, the CX-60’s in-cabin room is much better.

With a rear-facing child seat installed in the CX-5, the front passenger seat had to be positioned all the way forward, leaving little room for tall (and lanky) passengers like myself.

However, in the CX-60, there is ample room in front of a rear-facing car seat to still get plenty comfortable over prolonged periods of time.

The CX-60 has 477 litres of boot capacity. (Image: Tung Nguyen)

Of course, front passengers have plenty of room to get comfortable, and Mazda’s signature driver-focused ergonomics are on full show in the CX-60 with plenty of adjustability of the seats and steering wheel.

Storage solutions are also bountiful, with door pockets, an underarm storage tray, cupholders, a glove box and a wireless smartphone tray that keeps it away from the touchpoints of the centre console.

In the rear, passengers have access to a fold-down armrest with cupholders, door pockets and back seat map pockets.

Powering the CX-60 Azami petrol is a 3.3-litre turbocharged in-line six-cylinder petrol engine, punching out a sizeable 209kW/450Nm.

Peak power is available from 5000rpm, while maximum torque comes in from 2000-3500rpm.

Paired to the engine is a newly developed eight-speed automatic transmission, which sends drive to all four wheels.

Under the CX-60's bonnet is a 3.3-litre turbocharged in-line six-cylinder petrol engine. (Image: Tung Nguyen)

This allows for a 0-100km/h acceleration time of just 6.9 seconds, equalling or bettering most hot hatches and sports cars like the Mazda MX-5 and Toyota GR86.

The CX-60 is also the most affordable mid-size SUV with a six-cylinder engine, as the entry-level Evolve can be had from $59,800, but even in this top-spec Azami grade, it is still more affordable than its next nearest rivals being the 279kW/530Nm Genesis GV70 3.5T Sport ($85,100) and 285kW/500Nm BMW X3 M40i ($126,800).

And while the CX-60’s petrol engine can’t match those rivals for outputs, it more than makes up for it in affordability while still easily outmuscling smaller displacement rivals with fewer cylinders around the same price point.

Officially, the Mazda CX-60 Azami petrol returns a fuel economy figure of 7.4 litres per 100km, but in our week with the car we averaged 10.4L/100km.

Most of my time with the car was spent in Melbourne’s inner-city streets ferrying kids to and from childcare, as well as commuting into the city, but there was the occasional freeway run.

The CX-60 Azami has an official fuel economy figure of 7.4 litres per 100km. (Image: Tung Nguyen)

My fuel economy figure is closer to the city consumption figure of 9.8L/100km, but it is still a bit of a disappointment to see such a high number given the 48-volt mild-hybrid technology on offer.

Likely the near 2000kg kerb weight plays a factor here, and a more diligent right foot would yield better results at the bowser.

Crucially, though, the CX-60 petrol needs just 91RON petrol at the bowser, helping keep costs down when refuelling.

All variants of Mazda’s CX-60 were awarded a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating from testing in July, 2023.

However, ANCAP derived this result from Euro NCAP examination based on last year’s less-stringent testing protocols.

Regardless, the CX-60 scored highly in the adult and child occupant protection tests, with results of 91 and 93 per cent, respectively.

All variants of Mazda’s CX-60 have a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating. (Image: Tung Nguyen)

In fact, the CX-60’s child occupant protection score is the highest on record, matching the Ford Everest and Ranger and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The CX-60’s vulnerable road user protection test also yielded a commendable 89 per cent, while the safety assist category netted the CX-60 a 77 per cent score.

Standard safety equipment on each CX-60 includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention alert and adaptive cruise control.

The top-spec Azami gains front cross-traffic alert. (Image: Tung Nguyen)

Eight airbags are also littered throughout the cabin, while ISOFIX child seat anchoring points can be found in the second row.

The top-spec Azami, as tested, also gains adaptive headlights, front cross-traffic alert and a more advanced form of driver monitoring.

Overall, the CX-60 is a certified safe family car.