Mazda CX-60 eSkyactiv PHEV [test drive]

They say if you can’t avoid something, you better enjoy it. Somehow this seems to have happened to the Japanese Mazda, who, despite the distance they put at the beginning of plugging in hybrid technology, the time has come to enter with emphasis and style.

Earlier, the company from Hiroshima showed us that it likes to carve its own way in the world of motoring. He prefers to be a pioneer rather than a follower, unless of course the market trend has a different opinion. This is what happened to the case of plugging in hybrid technology. It may have left Mazda people indifferent until recently, but the time has come for their own proposal and even accompanied by a great name: the most powerful Mazda!

But before we open the RX-8 and MPS encyclopedia to see if that’s the case, let’s see what else is known about the Japanese SUV. So the CX-60 cannot and does not want to hide its size, with a length of 4.745 meters and a width of 1.89 meters placing the mighty Mazda alongside other SUVs such as the Volvo XC-60 or the Hyundai Santa-Fe.

And we say as powerful as the large grille, the long nose and the general sense of sport that the design department brought, makes the result special compared to what the class should show, and the identity comes from the small CX-30 as a step.

Inside, things are more sophisticated, with strong signs of Mazda’s ecological sensibility, and extensive use of recycled and recycled materials. However, the Japanese are among the first to dare to compose important parts of the dashboard and the interior in general from such materials.

Reminiscent of the tough design of the Mazda 2 15 years ago when all the competition was focused on bringing quality and a premium element. The Mazda SUV certainly has all the features that should be considered advanced and modern, attractive and technological (12.3-inch infotainment without touch technology), without losing the company’s eco label.

The presence of several natural breaks is a pleasant surprise in terms of practicality, such as large bags of easy-to-use items. Of course, there is plenty of comfort as shown by the long wheelbase of 2.87 meters, and 570 liters of luggage space being an attraction for a large family that doesn’t need to leave anything behind. Note that the electronic benefits required by our payment and time proposals are never missing, a feature of Homura’s rich offering as well.

Photo: Nikos Marinopoulos

But what does Mazda’s first attempt at a plug-in hybrid environment hide behind its appearance? The basis of the system is the Skyactiv-G four-cylinder engine with a capacity of 2,500 cc. with an output of 192 hp (mounted longitudinally). With the 175 hp (or 129 kW if you prefer) electric motor, the combined output reaches 327 hp and 500 Nm of torque, numbers that bring… the overweight SUV in first place with the most powerful Mazdas. Despite the weight of 2,200 kg, the CX-60 can reach 0-100 km / h in just 5.8 seconds, and a top speed of 200 km / h.

For this reason, in fact, not only will we never see the 51 km of electric range that the Japanese company promises, but even the 43 km that we traveled for practice in indoor and outdoor conditions. Through the Mi-Drive system, you can choose whether to drive the car using electricity, hybrid, or whether to save with the 17.8 kWh battery. The i-Activ AWD four-wheel drive system distributes torque in real time through a multi-disc clutch, which is visible in the fast-start mode (90/10 transmission on the rear and front axles), where it stops very quickly. a positive image for such a heavy SUV.

You’d expect a four-wheel drive SUV with 16.8cm of ground clearance… off-road plowing too, something we can’t say. The CX-60 is an asphalt carrier with a strong stance and suspension (two wishbones in the front, multi-link in the back) that likes relatively closed tracks and highway travel over potholes and rough roads. After all, the tire profile of our version is not suitable for long adventures off the pavement.

In the city, however, even in heavy traffic conditions, the 8-speed automatic transmission and multi-disc clutch provide comfort to the driver and a quiet driving experience, while on the open road it helps to achieve better fuel consumption. Especially if the battery runs out, the eye often goes to the fuel gauge, although the number does not refer to a two-ton SUV with such horsepower (around 9 liters/100 km and zero current in the battery).

Either way, it’s good as long as the PHEV model is likely to start the day with a full battery for this option to make sense. The charging process will take about 8 hours at a simple household outlet, or more than 2 hours at an 11 kW wall box (the CX-60 has a 7.4 kW charger on board).

A small amount of reduced consumption, a small zero corporate tax, and the puzzle of the answer is completed regarding the “salt” purchase price of Mazda’s first PHEV (58,000 euros asking, 44,000 euros before tax). The most shocking answer, however, has to do with its premium approach, the expensive materials that have been used, the impressive ride quality and the dynamic profile that you don’t find every day in the category.

After all, Mazda made its own moves and by no means made an indifferent SUV, but gave it everything that even a stubborn customer could ask for. The fact that it was cheap probably sounds like a science fiction scenario…