With the Mazda CX-60, Mazda is venturing into new territory. But in the upper middle class of SUVs, a whole BMW X3 awaits you. we face them
The Mazda CX-60 has a stately appearance, with balanced proportions, a long hood and a coupe-like silhouette, all in a clean design. It almost seems a bit more robust compared to the harmonious and reserved BMW X3.
Design
In terms of space, both are on a par, spacious and with a pleasant freedom of movement in the rear. While the BMW’s rear seat is a bit flat, the Mazda’s second-row passengers sit in a somewhat more comfortable position.
In the trunk, the Mazda accumulates more points, swallowing from 570 to 1726 liters, the BMW cubic between 450 to 1500. Both can carry around 550 kilograms, but the Mazda has a towing capacity of 2.5 tons, half a ton more than its German rival.
Mazda has outfitted the CX-60 with tasteful styling and clean finishes, operation is easy with a controller (iDrive-based) in the center stack, and there’s an additional button bar for climate control.
The Mazda’s seats are also cozy in the front, just as they are in the back. The second-to-none driver is also available from the BMW: high-quality and functional.
The crescent-shaped digital instruments are somewhat difficult to read (optional Live Cockpit Professional). Apart from that, the operation is also flawless here. The non-slip sports seats of the X3 please with plenty of lateral support.
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Plug-in hybrid engines
BMW’s hybrid system includes a 2.0-litre petrol engine with 184 hp, an electric motor with 109, the eight-speed automatic transmission and a 10.8 kWh battery: total system output is 292 hp.
In pure electric mode, the X3 covered 38 kilometers in the test, it can only be charged with a meager 3.7 kW; a full charge takes nearly four hours.
The system reacts remarkably quickly, the interaction between the petrol engine and the electric motor, as well as the change between acceleration and deceleration, works completely discreetly and smoothly.
If the gas engine kicks in, it’s definitely audible, but never very loud, and the four-cylinder is a loud to spirited guy. The ZF automatic reacts attentively and cautiously, as always.
BMW has designed the X3 to be compact and manageable, which is why only a few SUVs in this class drive so nimbly, and that goes for this hybrid too. The steering is precise and a bit twitchy, and fits well with its character.
The hybrid system in the CX-60 includes a 2.5-liter gasoline engine with 191 hp, without a turbo, but with high compression (13:1). Also, a 175 hp electric motor, and an eight-speed automatic instead of a torque converter and a 17.8 kWh battery. The power of the system is 327 hp.
In the test, the CX-60 covered 46 kilometers purely electrically, although here it can be charged with 7.2 kW. A full charge takes two hours and 20 minutes.
Especially in a direct comparison, the system doesn’t run as smooth as in the BMW, transitions are sometimes jerky, and there are drivetrain jerks from time to time, especially when coasting.
Here, too, the gasoline engine runs well and can be clearly heard under load. But that doesn’t bother us at all. Subjectively, the Mazda feels a bit more powerful than the BMW, it accelerates very quickly and the measured values confirm this feeling. And it has the advantage in terms of consumption, it achieved an average of 5.4 liters in the test, compared to 5.7 of the BMW.
Behaviour
As already determined in the individual test, larger bumps throw the CX-60 completely out of step, then it bounces hard in the rear, vibrates violently, and sometimes even loses contact with the ground. And when something like that happens in a corner, it becomes a problem.
Also, our attempts to start driving at high speeds have shown that the CX-60 tends to have a strong steering oscillation; this could be dangerous for the inexperienced, for example during a quick evasive maneuver on the motorway. Mazda has acknowledged this problem.
Factors to decide the comparison
Place 2: Mazda CX-60 e-Skyactiv PHEV. Classy design, well-maintained manicured finishes. But the technology still needs tweaking, especially when it comes to behavior.
Place 1: BMW X3 xDrive30e. A mature and reliable car, agile and balanced behavior. A hybrid system that works harmoniously.