Mazda CX-60 mid-size SUV set to gain CX-90's smoother transmission calibration

Mazda has conceded its new CX-60 mid-size SUV features a sub-optimal transmission tune when compared to the CX-90, despite sharing the same componentry, but plans are underway to remedy the situation.

The CX-60 was the first of Mazda's new-generation SUVs built on the all-new 'Large Product Group' architecture that was tasked with spearheading the Japanese brand's ambitions to move further upmarket and stand it apart from mainstream players like Hyundai, Kia and Toyota.

However, when the crucial CX-60 was launched in Australia in July, a common criticism of the new eight-speed automatic transmission was its jerkiness and lack of refinement.

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In CarsGuide's own review from the launch, we noticed "some lumpiness to your initial acceleration" and there is "a fairly transparent engagement of the clutch as the car lurches forward to get going".

In subsequent road tests, other CarsGuide journalists have stated "the new automatic transmission feels jerky and janky at low speeds and in low gears" and that "at this price point I was hoping for a smoother drive experience".

The brand has seemingly taken that feedback to heart, however, with Mazda Motor Corporation Oversight Director of R&D, Ichiro Hirose, telling CarsGuide at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show that the CX-90's more advanced calibration will make their way to the CX-60.

"The [extra] learnings we get from CX-90 will also be applied to the next model [CX-60]," he said.

The CX-60 was the first of Mazda’s new-generation SUVs built on the all-new 'Large Product Group' architecture.

And when asked directly if this update will also be retrofitted to existing CX-60s already delivered to customers, Hirose said: "We would like to do that."

As previously stated, the CX-90 features the same eight-speed automatic transmission as the CX-60, but with the large SUV releasing more than a year after the mid-sizer in international markets, Mazda had a little more time for polish.

In Australia, the CX-90 launched just a month after the CX-60 with a noticeably smoother transmission.

"Basically, they [the transmissions in the CX-60 and CX-90] are the same thing," Hirose said.

The CX-90 features the same eight-speed automatic transmission as the CX-60.

"But calibration work has been [getting] more and more sophisticated."

It is unclear when exactly the CX-60 will receive the new transmission tune, but given the model was revealed in early 2022 and Mazda releases model year changes regularly, the update could arrive sometime next year.