Mazda CX-60 2025 Review

Nowadays, the competition in Malaysia's D-segment SUV market is becoming increasingly fierce. Consumers want a spacious interior for family trips, expect luxurious features to enhance their daily experience, and have clear requirements for powertrain smoothness and fuel economy. The 2025 Mazda CX-60 2.5G 2WD High, as a new model in this market segment, is priced at nearly RM200,000 and comes with premium features such as a 12.3-inch dual-screen, 12-speaker audio system, and HUD heads-up display, while also maintaining Mazda's consistent advantage in driving dynamics. In this test drive, our focus is to evaluate its practicality in terms of space, configuration experience, as well as the performance of its powertrain under city and highway conditions, to see if it meets the "balanced + luxurious" needs of family users.

In terms of exterior design, the CX-60 2.5G 2WD High continues Mazda's signature Kodo design language, presenting a style that is both understated and refined. The front features a large shield-shaped grille, complemented by chrome trim and a smoked finish mesh, which gives it a high degree of recognizability. The sharp-shaped LED headlights on both sides are integrated with the grille, visually widening its stance. The side profile features sleek lines that stretch from the hood to the rear, enhancing the muscularity; 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels paired with 235/50 R20 tires add a sense of heft to the side view. At the rear, the LED taillights come with a smoked finish and L-shaped light strips, which look striking when illuminated. A silver skid plate and hidden exhaust under the rear bumper contribute to a clean and minimalist design.

Sitting inside, the first impression is the high-quality materials used for the interior. The dashboard is covered with extensive soft-touch materials, paired with metallic trim and piano black panels, effectively exuding a sense of luxury. The center console layout is driver-centric, with a 12.3-inch floating central control screen tilted towards the driver, requiring minimal deviation of sight from the road while operating. The infotainment system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with a smooth response, but some functions require use of a rotary knob, which may take some time to adapt to. In terms of features, the HUD heads-up display is clear, providing information such as speed and navigation to reduce the need to look down at the instrument panel. The 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster offers various display modes with simple and easy-to-read interfaces. The seats are wrapped in genuine leather, with the driver's seat supporting 10-way electric adjustment and the passenger seat 8-way electric adjustment. Both offer good lumbar support and lateral bolstering, ensuring comfort for long journeys.

In terms of space, the car has a wheelbase of 2870mm, offering very generous legroom in the rear seats. A passenger with a height of 175cm sitting in the rear would have approximately two fist widths of space between their knees and the front seat, while the headroom has an additional fist of clearance, ensuring it doesn't feel cramped. The rear features independent air conditioning vents and USB charging ports, adding to its practicality. When it comes to storage space, the front center armrest compartment is quite spacious, capable of holding several personal items, and the door storage pockets can accommodate bottled water and umbrellas. The trunk offers a standard amount of space, and the rear seats can be folded down in a 40:20:40 configuration, creating an almost flat floor and enabling the storage of larger items.

Powertrain: The 2.5L naturally aspirated engine delivers a maximum power of 191PS and a peak torque of 261N·m, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. During daily driving, the throttle response is smooth, and the power output is linear during start-up, without any abrupt feel. At low to medium speeds, the transmission shifts proactively, with almost no noticeable jolts. When accelerating with a deep throttle press, the engine reaches its maximum torque of about 3000 rpm, providing adequate acceleration for daily needs and giving confidence during highway overtakes. There are three driving modes to choose from: Eco, Normal, and Sport. In Sport mode, throttle response becomes more sensitive, gear shifting is delayed, and power delivery is more direct.

Handling: The steering wheel offers precise control, with minimal play and moderate steering effort, providing clear feedback. The car exhibits stable body posture during cornering, with good control of body roll. The front double-wishbone independent suspension combined with the rear multi-link independent suspension performs excellently on bumpy roads, filtering out most small vibrations. When passing over speed bumps, the suspension rebounds cleanly without excessive oscillation. In terms of braking, the brake pedal offers a moderate travel and delivers linear stopping power. During emergency braking, the vehicle maintains stability without veering off course.

Fuel Economy: We drove approximately 50 kilometers on both urban and highway roads. The average fuel consumption in urban traffic conditions was about 8.5L/100km, while highway fuel consumption was approximately 6.8L/100km. Overall, the performance is on par with the level expected of a 2.5L naturally aspirated engine. In terms of noise control, there is some noticeable wind and tire noise at high speeds, but it remains within an acceptable range. Engine noise can be heard inside the cabin at high RPMs, but it is not harsh.

Safety Features: This car comes equipped with six airbags, AEB automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, ACC adaptive cruise control, and other features. The 360-degree panoramic camera provides high-definition clarity, allowing clear visibility of the surroundings during parking, which is very user-friendly for novice drivers.

In summary, the 2025 Mazda CX-60 2.5G 2WD High excels in offering spacious interiors, abundant luxury features, and smooth power delivery. Compared to its competitors in the same class, it offers higher configuration levels while maintaining a relatively affordable price, making it a standout in terms of cost-effectiveness. This vehicle is particularly suitable for families seeking balanced performance, providing a comfortable experience for daily commutes and long journeys alike. Furthermore, its exterior and interior design meet the luxury expectations of younger buyers. If you are in the market for a mid-size SUV with ample space, high configurations, and smooth driving performance, the CX-60 2.5G 2WD High is a worthy choice.