Mazda has unveiled its CX-60, which is based on an all-new rear- and all-wheel-drive platform and features plug-in hybrid and inline 6-cylinder petrol and diesel powertrains. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that the spacious five-seater will be offered in South Africa, where it will slot in above the CX-5 as a rival to lower-end Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sportage derivatives.

Since the introduction of the CX-30 – Mazda’s boutique crossover offering that sits above the CX-3 compact family car,the market has anticipated a barrage of new CX-prefixed crossover and SUV models from the Hiroshima-based car company. Although the recently unveiled CX-50 is unfortunately reserved for North America, the CX-60, which is based on Mazda’s Skyactiv Multi-Solution Scalable (Large Vehicle) Architecture, is a different story – it could well be offered in South Africa in the near future, where it mightsit above the long-serving CX-5 medium SUV, well, at least initially the latter is replaced.

The 5-seater, upper mid-sized CX-60 is slightly larger than theCX-50 and notably longer and wider than the currentCX-5. It utilises Mazda’s new rear- and all-wheel drive Skyactiv Multi-Solution Scalable Architecture and rides on a 2 870 mm wheelbase. The model is 4 745 mm long, 1890 mm wide, and stands 1 680 mm tall, which leads us to believe it may be classed as an… executive SUV, maybe?

The CX-60’s eye-catching exterior appearance is characterised by several cues from Mazda’s Kodo design language, such as a bold grille with chrome wings that flare out to meet almost nugget-like LED headlamps (with L-shaped daytime running lights). Apart from sporting chunkier, more masculine detailing than most of its contemporary stablemates, the model’s extended dimensions make it look more slab-sided and upright in stance than the Mazda family cars we’vebecome accustomed to.

Its expansive dimensions (compared with the CX-5 family car) facilitate a rather roomy interior, of course. Mazda claims the CX-60 offers 1504 mm shoulder room for front occupants (44 mm more than in the CX-5), with 1441 mm afforded to those in the back (which is 50 mm more than in the brand’s medium SUV). The rear seats are said to offer “enough legroom for passengers to sit with their legs straight – even those with a large physique can maintain a comfortable and stable posture whilst seated”.

Including under-floor storage, the CX-60 is claimed to have 570 litres of load capacity, which can increase up to 1148 litres with the rear seats folded flat. Compared with the CX-5, the width of the load bay aperture has increased to 1082 mm (it is 35 mm wider), whilethe height of the opening is 758 mm.

The new model’s cabin has an eminently upmarket execution, replete with an elegant, minimalist fascia and dashboard, a raised centre console and top-grade versions feature Nappa leather trim, maple wood inlays and woven textiles with decorative Kakenui stitching. The instrument cluster is a full TFT-LCD digital display, which is complemented with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen (with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital radio and integral satellite navigation), as well as an upsized head-up display that is claimed to be three times larger than that of the CX-30!

Other notable features (grade- or variant-dependent, of course) include an electrically adjustable steering column and front seats (the latter 10-way with heating and ventilation), heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, an 8-speaker audio- or 12-speaker Bose surround sound system, a 1500W charging point (in plug-in hybrid versions), as well as a remote opening power tailgate.

An interesting new addition is the Driver Personalisation System, which uses facial recognition technology to adjust the Mazda’s driver’s seat-, steering column-, HUD- and side mirrors to memorised positions– we assume the function makes traditional memory buttons redundant.

The CX-60, which is the first Mazda with a rear-wheel-drive configuration for a while (apart from the MX-5 roadster and, of course, the BT-50 ute) rides on a double-wishbone front and a multi-link rear suspension setup, which is enhanced with Mazda’s Kinematic Posture Control system.

Although the CX-60 powertrain line-upin markets outside of Europehas yet to be confirmed, the introduction of a 241 kW/500 Nm plug-in hybrid power unit is notable, given the recent introduction of a petrol-electric Toyota RAV4 in Mzansi. It combines a 141 kW/261 Nm 2.5-litre SkyActiv-G four-cylinder petrol engine with a100 kW/250 Nm electric motor paired to a 17.8-kWh lithium-ion battery.

Mazda says the PHEV version can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds and achieve a top speed of 200 kph, but more impressively, travel up to 60 km on battery power alone. The WLTP combined fuel consumption is 1.5- or 1.6 litres/100 km (WLTP), depending on which size alloys are fitted, and the battery can be fully charged (from depleted) in four hours from an AC outlet.

The Hiroshima-based brand has yet to release peak output figures for its inline six-cylinder engines – a3.0-litre e-SkyActive X naturally aspirated petrol and a3.3-litre e-Skyactive turbodiesel – but both motors will be offered in conjunction with 48V mild-hybrid systems in the CX-60 range.

A new eight-speed automatic transmission with a multi-plate clutch makes its debut on the CX-60, which will be available in rear- and i-Activ all-wheel-drive guises. Drive modes will include Normal, Sport, Off-Road, Towing (and EV), while the newcomer’s braked towing capacity is said to be 2 500 kg.

Numerous safety features are slated for the European-market model, including (updated) adaptive cruise control, driver-drowsiness detection, traffic-sign recognition, advanced smart city brake assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection and intersection function, rear emergency-brake assist (with pedestrian detection) and -cross-traffic alert, lane-keep and -steering assist, blind-spot monitoring, hill launch assist and -descent control, as well as vehicle exit warning.

Notably, the PHEV version features additional protection for its high-voltage battery. The 360-degree camera system (if specified) now incorporates “See-Through View” technology, while additional front centre and rear side airbags (that augment the curtain units)are also fitted.

Production of the CX-60 will commence at the Hofu Plant No 2 in the Yamaguchi prefecture this week and the Japanese-spec model will be introduced early next month. As for exactly when will the new model will arrive in South Africa, Mazda Southern Africa has not provided an official date (yet), but did have the following to say:

“(The CX-60) is the first of Mazda’s Large Product group models, offering significantly enhanced driving pleasure and environmental and safety performance. We will position the CX-60 above the CX-5, both in terms of size as well as value. As far as local specifications and introduction is concerned, we will confirm this later in the year.”

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