Mazda CX-60 - long term review

This is it then, the CX-60 hybrid. Mazda’s first plug in hybrid. Which is an odd sentence to write in 2023 given how popular electrification is across the car industry. Are they dragging their heels or just waiting to get it right? We’ll find out over the next few months.

But there is one thing they aren’t messing around with and that’s targeting BMW. With the CX-60 they’ve clearly got their eyes on taking some of the market away from the BMW X3. Mazda, always known as the poor man’s BMW is now punching above its weight with the new CX-60. And if it was based just on looks alone, Mazda would be winning. I hope the driving experience lives up to the same levels of quality.

Under the bonnet you'll find a naturally aspirated four-pot 2.5-litre engine and a 355V battery that gives out a combined power output of 323bhp and a 0-60mph time of just 5.8sec. Tidy. There's a claimed 39 miles of battery and an option of three specs: Exclusive line, Homura and Takumi. We’ve opted for the latter in a stylish Plantium Quartz. Takumi is the top of the spec range and in Japanese means artisan, fitting for this creative director. It's almost Bentley and Range Rover like.

Prices start at £42,990 but this one will cost you £49,520 and that comes with 20” black metallic alloys and a 12 Bose speaker surround. But with the added extras on our lifer that include £650 for that fancy paint colour, Convenience pack (£1k), Driver assistance pack (£1k) and Panoramic sunroof (£1k), the final total rings up at £53,270.

We’ll aim to try out the Exclusive line down the road to compare if it's really worth going for the top of the range. Oh and we’ll throw in a BMW just for fun too...

Inside, which looks brilliant, there's matching beige, white Maple wood accents and enough chrome that to make a 1970s car proud. Plus: actual buttons! A huge relief in today’s 'let’s put everything in the computer and make it impossible for you to find' car world. Bravo Mazda. I’m interested to see how the interior copes when it has three kids thrown at it. A light-coloured interior probably isn’t the best choice.

I’ve got high hopes for this car - never have I been more surprised and shocked when seeing a car in the flesh. The pics don’t do it justice. It's massive, stylish, and certainly more premium than previous Mazdas.

But, and it’s a big but, something isn’t right, so it's having to go back to Mazda. Oh dear. More on that soon.