I just spent a few days in the Mazda CX-60, and it is easily one of the most interesting SUVs you can buy today. I say interesting because it is not perfect. In fact, it is quite the opposite. It is flawed in ways that are immediately obvious. But spend a bit more time with
I just spent a few days in the Mazda CX-60, and it is easily one of the most interesting SUVs you can buy today. I say interesting because it is not perfect. In fact, it is quite the opposite.
It is flawed in ways that are immediately obvious. But spend a bit more time with it, and either you start to understand what Mazda is trying to do here, or you get more infuriated with it. If you are the kind of person who cares about how a car feels rather than just what it offers on paper, this might hit you harder than expected.
I know it did for me. To the point where I am genuinely considering one if my Lexus RX gets sold.
But first, some context. The CX-60 sits above the CX-5 and rides on a new rear-wheel drive platform with a longitudinal engine layout, which already sets it apart from most SUVs in this price range.
In Malaysia, we get a single variant, the 2.5G 2WD High, powered by a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated engine. On paper, it does not scream excitement. But this is not a car you judge purely by numbers.
Let’s get the flaws out of the way because there are quite a few.
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The biggest one is the transmission. It is, frankly, not good enough for a car at this price point. At low speeds around town, it can feel jerky. The shifts are not clean and there is this slight shudder every now and then that you cannot unfeel once you notice it. It also doesn’t drop a cog or two quickly enough upon throttle depression.
This is already the updated version, which makes you wonder how the earlier cars were. And this is especially frustrating when Mazda has perfected the 6-speed automatic box. Mazda, couldn’t you have carried on with the 6-speeder and called it a day? It might have saved some development cost and offered a more polished experience.
The engine itself is acceptable. It is not underpowered, but it does not excite either. You need to rev it out to get meaningful performance, but it never feels strained doing so. There is some induction noise, which helps with a bit of connection, but if you came in expecting something like a big naturally aspirated six-cylinder, this will not scratch that itch.
Then there is space as well as practicality. This area has always been Mazda’s Achilles’ heel and the CX-60 is no exception.
For a car this size, the rear space is underwhelming. Legroom is just about adequate for Asian adults, but taller passengers will start to notice the limitations on longer drives. Footroom is also compromised by the seat base and rails, which makes it harder to stretch out.
The seat base itself is on the shorter side, so thigh support is not great. Recline is there, but only just enough for long distance comfort.
Cabin storage is another miss. The centre storage under the armrest is shallow, almost comically so. Door bins are small as well. At least the glovebox and boot are properly sized, so not everything is compromised.
The infotainment system is another sticking point. It is rotary dial only. No touchscreen, even when stationary. Mazda’s reasoning is safety, which is fair, but Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are clearly designed with touch in mind. It feels like the system is working against you rather than with you. On top of that, Android Auto is wired only, while Apple CarPlay gets wireless.
Ride and refinement are decent, but not class leading. The suspension has decent level of pliancy, but it still does not quite round off sharp edges the way the best in the segment do. You feel more of the road than you probably should at this level, especially over broken surfaces.
It is also not the quietest cabin. There is some road noise that comes through, and it doesn’t feel like a noticeable step up from a CX-5 in terms of insulation.
So yes, objectively, there are quite a few things to pick at. Yet somehow, I have convinced myself that I can live with those flaws, because this is where the CX-60 flips the script. The driving position alone is worth talking about.
You sit in it and everything just feels right. The steering wheel comes to you properly, your legs are stretched out naturally, and nothing feels offset or compromised. The pedal box is well aligned, the steering is centred, and even the footrest is properly sized and positioned.
This is quite rare in a front-engine rear-wheel drive layout, even in more expensive cars. Some luxury brands still struggle with offset pedals or awkward seating geometry. Mazda nailed it here.
What’s also nailed is the build and material quality. It’s evident that this is a fully imported unit from Japan. There are no hollow points, everything feels solid, and the materials have a depth to them that you do not usually get at this price point. The stitching, the surfaces, the tactility of the controls, it all feels upmarket.
Ergonomics are excellent as per Mazda usual. Every button is where you expect it to be. No guesswork, no hunting through menus. Even the switchgear has a satisfying weight and click to it. The indicator stalk alone feels more premium than some entire interiors. The seats are on the firmer side, but supportive, and suited for longer drives.
And speaking of drive, the way it drives is also where the CX-60 starts to make sense. The steering is one of the first things you notice. It has weight, clarity, and a very natural response. You turn the wheel, and the car just follows without hesitation. No delay, no artificial filtering.
It is not a sports SUV, and it does not try to be one. You can feel its size and weight. But what it does incredibly well is how obedient it is. You always know how much input to give, and it responds exactly as expected. Through corners, especially long sweeping ones, the car just settles into a rhythm. It flows. It feels planted.
There is minimal need for correction on the highway, which makes long distance driving less tiring. It has that big car composure, that relaxed cadence that makes you want to just keep going. It feels cohesive, which is something I find increasingly rare.
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Mazda CX-60 Verdict
At around RM 200k, fully imported from Japan, with this level of build and engineering, the CX-60 is priced very competitively. It looks the part with long bonnet, rear-set cabin, clean surfaces. It has that understated premium presence, somewhere between a BMW and a Volvo.
I know many of the things I mentioned will not matter to everyone. Rear space, touchscreen usability, smoother transmission, these are things most buyers will prioritise first. And objectively, they would be right.
But if you are someone who notices the smaller things, the position and angle of the steering wheel, the way the car responds to your inputs, the sense of connection, then the CX-60 offers something that virtually none in this segment can.
It is not the best all-rounder. It is the best at making you feel special, enough for me to accept its flaws. The question is, can you?
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Mazda CX-60 2.5G High Specs
Engine: 2.5-litre naturally aspirated inline-four
Power: 191 PS
Torque: 261 Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive
Price (as tested): RM 200,510 (OTR without insurance)
We like: Superb driving position, cohesive handling, natural steering feel, high build quality, premium cabin execution
We don’t like: Borderline jerky transmission, no touchscreen support, rear space not as generous as expected, limited cabin storage, refinement could be better for the price