TAKING THE MAZDA CX-60 ON A TOUGH 1000 KM TRIP FOR A DRIVING REVIEW (CX70 US)

EV Channels Review

The Mazda CX-60 PHEV is put to the test on a demanding 1000 km journey across Turkey, revealing a mixed bag of strengths and weaknesses. The reviewer praises Mazda's interior design, highlighting its premium feel, attention to detail, and practical elements like physical buttons for the infotainment system, a feature appreciated by the target demographic. The build quality is deemed excellent, with no rattles or shakes even on rough terrain. The reviewer also commends the comfortable seats, which proved surprisingly supportive over long distances, and the effective hill-start assist. However, the driving dynamics are a point of contention. While the CX-60 offers strong acceleration (0-100 km/h in 5.8 seconds) and capable handling in sport mode on winding roads, the standard mode is described as too soft, lumpy, and disconnected, feeling more like driving a mattress than a sporty SUV. The reviewer also notes the significant weight added by the hybrid system, questioning if a petrol or diesel variant might offer a more engaging drive. The infotainment system's usability while driving is a positive, but the driver assistance systems, particularly the lane-keeping assist and radar, are criticized for inconsistency and lack of detection. Fuel efficiency for the PHEV variant averaged 9.8 L/100km, which the reviewer found acceptable but not compelling enough to justify the hybrid choice over petrol without a financial incentive. Overall, the CX-60 is seen as a competent, well-built SUV that offers good value and comfort, particularly for an older demographic, but it lacks the dynamic sparkle found in smaller Mazda models like the CX-5.