New Mazda CX-60 diesel 2023 review

The problem is the damping – the ride/handling balance just isn’t quite there. The CX-60 struggles to settle, particularly in the firmer Sport mode, which isn’t great for comfort during more sedate, day-to-day driving, while on some bumpy B-roads, the body of the SUV can feel like its getting away from you as it’s jostled around. And despite the CX-60’s more focused attitude, there is a fair amount of body roll. This car is 110kg lighter than the PHEV, but it struggles to hide its weight quite as well as some premium SUVs, especially the aforementioned BMW X3. 

The 20-inch wheels fitted to the Homura and Takumi-grade cars don’t help in terms of comfort – they can thump over imperfections in the asphalt, while also giving off a little too much in the way of road noise for our liking. 

Thankfully, the comfortable and supportive seats do go some way in making up for the CX-60’s compromised ride. Elsewhere inside, you’ll find a healthy amount of rear legroom, an abundance of headroom, and a sizeable boot offering 570 litres of space – an identical figure to the PHEV. 

The premium charged for the 251bhp, all-wheel drive diesel engine for Exclusive-Line cars seems reasonable enough at £2,630. For those wanting a higher spec, the only option is the beefier engine – Homura and Takumi can’t be paired with the lower-powered diesel. 

While we’d be tempted to go for the Takumi for its brighter cabin alone, you are paying £2,350 more for the privilege, and gaining mostly aesthetic upgrades in the process. The Homura largely matches Takumi in terms of its tech offering, with highlights including electrically adjustable seats, a powered tailgate and an excellent Bose surround system. It’s still pricey, coming in at £48,380 vs £50,730 for the Takumi.

Now read our long-term test of the Mazda CX-60 PHEV…